More Lip Service from Hardaway

MJD already touched on this, but I'm angry and bored enough to give it a closer look. As reported by Lion in Oil, Tim Hardaway has made a good faith effort to make nice with the gay community. Hardaway spent some time at the YES Institute, which preaches tolerance and non-suicide.

Hardaway was "scared," I guess because of his past misdeeds and all the cooties in the room. But he overcame his weakness, and now is cool with the whole homo thing. The YES Institute website says so.

I'm calling b.s. on this one. It rings every bit as hollow as Michael Vick's heartfelt God-finding: a convenient, morally-sanctioned way to make amends. Then again, I was never wholly convinced that Hardaway was a steadfast homophobe. Let's not forget that his remarks came on the radio; he was trying to entertain, playing to the crowd. If you don't think that zany queer-bashing is part of talk radio's locker room culture, you obviously don't turn on the radio much.

I suspect that the real Tim Hardaway is somewhere between the two extremes. It's a shame that, because of his semi-celebrity status, we never get to see the real him.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

9-28-2007 @ 1:03PM

Jody Davis said...

Shame on you for calling out someone who's trying to right their own wrong. He went beyond the standard celebrity "I'm sorry if I offended anyone" and made himself accountable for his comments. Although he no longer has skills, Hardaway's got humility. Right on.

9-28-2007 @ 1:15PM

recashflow said...

Bethelehem:

Your an idiot and should have your right to BLOG suspended! People can change if enllightened. Unlike you my friend who came out of your mom a complete idiot. Time for you to go to idiot camp!

9-28-2007 @ 1:31PM

9-28-2007 @ 1:51PM

David L. Wylie said...

I've been personally assured from the leaders of the Yes Institute, the organization mentioned in your story, that Tim Hardaway's contrition is sincere and his remorse is complete. One our young writers, Geo Bustamante, penned an open letter to Mr. Hardaway immediately upon hearing his comments, sharing with the retired basketball player of his struggle with being a young gay man and how such venom complicated his life even more. The full text of his letter can be found here:

http://www.gaysofla.com/content/view/69/41/

Upon hearing of Hardaway's efforts in achieving understanding and making ammends for his words, Geo was elated. He's working on another open letter to Mr. Hardaway, thanking him for his courage in seeking greater understanding of the struggles the LGBT community.

We should all reserve judgement and give Mr. Hardaway the benefit of the doubt.

Regards & Respect,
David L. Wylie, Editor
www.gaysofla.com