<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Former NBA star Tim Hardaway wants a second chance to repair his image. In a February interview with a Miami radio station, Hardaway said he didn't believe gay players should share a locker room with heterosexual players, then added, "I don't like gay people, and I don't like to be around gay people." Hardaway was reacting to the news of John Amaechi's announcement being the first former NBA player to reveal he was a gay man. Hardaway apologized soon after making the comments and said Tuesday he wants to make sure people know that he really doesn't hate gay people. "People have been trying to kick me when I'm down," he told The Miami Herald. The reaction was "very, very shocking. People saying my wife left me -- that's not true. My family is OK and my finances are OK. "... I'm looking for a second chance and trying to clean up my image. I haven't been in trouble with drugs or guns. I'm an upstanding citizen. Like I told my children, life is not easy. This is a big bump I have to overcome. I'm going to deal with it like a champ. I've got to make sure people know I don't hate gay people." Hardaway told the Herald that he hasn't spoken to Amaechi after making homophobic remarks. "I wasn't interested in what he had to say about [my comments]. I'm not interested in trying to sell his book," Hardaway told the newspaper. However, Hardaway told the Herald that he plans to meet with a gay organization to explain why he said what he said and to try to understand homosexuals' perspective.</div> Hardaway: 'I don't hate gay people'
Okay I kinda messed up I went into the direction of how I feel and I wanted to discuss why I don't think its a big deal for what Hardaway says. First from what I've herd it was a radio station in Miami not national television. I don't see why everyone is calling him a Jerk when 90% of people will agree. Any NBA player will say that it was wrong because they don't want to get penalized either but most of them are thinking the same thing.
Just because its a majority opinion, doesn't mean its acceptable to say to a TV audience. There have been lots of terrible things over the years that were supported by the majority (eg: slavery, genocide, segregation, etc.).
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">What is my "liberal view"? I never said there was a gay gene. I don't know why some people are straight and some aren't. But I'm not going to presume it's because of some fault of their own or their upbringing.</div> It sure seemed like you implied all gayness was caused by genes or some other uncontrollable factor.
Honestly, I wouldn't feel comfortable changing/showering in the locker room with any man, regardless of sexual orientation.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Honestly, I wouldn't feel comfortable changing/showering in the locker room with any man, regardless of sexual orientation.</div> Right, but even less around gay people is what Mr. J was saying.
Not really. If I was comfortable doing it around straight men, I probably wouldn't care too much if the dude's gay. I can't really go in assuming that the dude's attracted to me and wants to have sex, because I don't assume that every women I meet is attracted to me and wants to have sex either.
<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Not really. If I was comfortable doing it around straight men, I probably wouldn't care too much if the dude's gay. I can't really go in assuming that the dude's attracted to me and wants to have sex, because I don't assume that every women I meet is attracted to me and wants to have sex either.</div> But let's be realistic, if you know a guy is gay there is a greater chance he'll be checking you out and such in the locker room. I'm not saying there shouldn't be gay people in the NBA, heh.
<div class="quote_poster">huevonkiller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">But let's be realistic, if you know a guy is gay there is a greater chance he'll be checking you out and such in the locker room.</div> Who cares? I don't get why guys who have been showering with other guys for years would be so insecure about their bodies. It's all rooted in homophobia. They can't deal the idea that another man might be attracted to them; it freaks them out.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Who cares? Women have to deal with guys "checking them out", mostly guys they probably aren't remotely attracted to, all the time. I don't get why guys who have been showering with other guys for years would be so insecure about their bodies.</div> But they're not sharing a locker room. Most guys probably try to convince themselves that they have "gay-dar" and think it's ok to shower with a bunch of guys because they can detect what's going on. As soon as they find out that Player X was actually a homosexual, I could see how they'd be uncomfortable.
<div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">What's the purpose of having different dressing rooms for men and women?</div> OOOhhhh Socratic method time.
<div class="quote_poster">huevonkiller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Most guys probably try to convince themselves that they have "gay-dar" and think it's ok to shower with a bunch of guys because they can detect what's going on. As soon as they find out that Player X was actually a homosexual, I could see how they'd be uncomfortable.</div> Sorry, I edited my post above before I saw the response. I see why they'd be uncomfortable, and it's for irrational reasons. They're freaked out by the thought of another man being attracted to them. <div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">What's the purpose of having different dressing rooms for men and women?</div> Propriety. It's just a societal norm. There are practical reasons for it as well, of course (security for the women).
<div class="quote_poster">MrJ Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">What's the purpose of having different dressing rooms for men and women?</div> Propriety. It's just a societal norm. There are practical reasons for it as well, of course (security for the women).
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Sorry, I edited my post above before I saw the response. I see why they'd be uncomfortable, and it's for irrational reasons. They're freaked out by the thought of another man being attracted to them.</div> I don't want a guy to check me out, that's a completely natural reaction (I find it disgusting because of my "genes" as you say). If I think I'm surrounded by straight people, I don't care being naked as much. <div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Propriety. Is just a societal norm. There are practical reasons for it as well, of course (security for the women).</div> You really think that's the only reason why? Hmm? Women and Men don't care for unwanted advances or creepy stares while they're naked and most vulnerable.
<div class="quote_poster">huevonkiller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I don't want a guy to check me out, that's a completely natural reaction (I find it disgusting because of my "genes" as you say). If I think I'm surrounded by straight people, I don't care being naked as much.</div> I didn't say anything about your genes, or anyone else's genes. It might be a natural reaction for you, but that doesn't make it a rational one. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">You really think that's the only reason why? Hmm? Women and Men don't care for unwanted advances or creepy stares while they're naked and most vulnerable.</div> It isn't universal. I acknowledge security as an issue, but the fear of being naked in front of others is a cultural thing.
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I didn't say anything about your genes, or anyone else's genes. It might be a natural reaction for you, but that doesn't make it a rational one. </div> Hypocrite? Uh that's fine because being gay isn't "rational" to me either. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> It isn't universal. I acknowledge security as an issue, but the fear of being naked in front of others is a cultural thing.</div> See above.
<div class="quote_poster">huevonkiller Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Hypocrite? Uh that's fine because being gay isn't "rational" to me either.</div> Hypocrisy? I don't follow. I never said being gay is rational. I don't believe it's a choice, so it wouldn't make much sense to think that.
