Anti-gay statements challenged on courts, fields

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Written by Lisa Neff, Staff writer
May 5, 2011

Brazil’s Michael Santos and his Volei Futuro teammates – Photo: Courtesy

GLSEN in the game

The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network recently initiated a program intended to change the game in K-12 schools. The nonprofit, which works with students, teachers, administrators and parents nationwide on school reforms and programs, has launched Changing the Game: The GLSEN Sports Project to encourage safer, more inclusive athletic programs.

Advisors include Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Jessica Mendoza, Lauren Lappin, Scott Fujita, Wade Davis, Candice Wiggins, Hudson Taylor, Billy Bean, Lin Dun, Ben Cohen and John Amaechi.

The project will “help to make sports and physical education a great experience for every student,” said director Pat Griffin.

– L.N.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is batting 1000 these days.

The nonprofit dedicated to combating homophobic statements won apologies recently from an NBA basketball star and a MLB pitching coach, who both unleashed anti-gay slurs in game-day tantrums.

In one incident, Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant cursed at a referee, calling him “faggot,” his words clear enough for the stadium and television audiences. Bryant was fined $100,000 for the offense.

GLAAD members de-manded and received an apology. And, during a playoff game against the New Orleans Hornets April 27, Bryant and four teammates appeared in a PSA promoting respect on and off the court.

By then GLAAD’s attention had turned to baseball and San Francisco, where Atlanta Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell shouted anti-gay epithets at fans before a game with the Giants. The coach also threatened fans with a baseball bat.

Again GLAAD demanded and received an apology. “I apologize to everyone for my actions,” stated McDowell, who was fined and suspended by Major League Baseball.

“More and more sports teams refuse to allow this sort of behavior,” said GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios.

The same can be said of other teams in other sports in other countries.

In Brazil, Team Sada Cruzeiro recently was fined $30,000 after an estimated 3,000 fans shouted anti-gay slurs at Michael Santos, a middle-blocker on Volei Futuro, the opposing team in a semi-final match. The fans, according to various blog reports, repeatedly shouted “bicha” or “faggot.”

After the April 2 incident, the middle-blocker came out, stating, “I’m gay. Everyone knows who I am. My team fully respects my sexuality. I have been playing for 10 years and everyone has treated me well and fair. I do not feel the need to let everyone know about my sexuality.”

His teammates responded with support, wearing pink warm-up shirts before another semi-final game.

Fans also showed their support, pounding pink thundersticks as Volei Futuro played to victory.