Blazers & Timbers endorse same sex marriage

Oh, I understand it completely. You don't seem to understand that supporting equal rights for ALL citizens is different than endorsing a specific political candidate.

A pro gay marriage stance does not infringe on anyone's civil rights.

Any anti gay (or anti straight, or anti interracial) stance does.

Endorsing a specific political candidate does not infringe on anyone's civil rights.

Yes, they could just keep their mouth's shut and not risk alienating anyone, but that's a cowardly thing to do.

BNM

 

So you picked the political candidate, but you didn't mention abortion, which is a similarly divisive issue in this country. Why can't the Blazers come out anti-abortion? That's equal rights. The right to live, right? Can the Blazers come out against abortion and tell little girls that they should have their babies?

You already said you'd be offended if the team came out against gay marriage. You're only proving my point. We don't need sports teams to get involved. There's already plenty of support for gay marriage. Let sports be an escape from all the problems we have.

 

100% agreed.

 

Of course you agree.

I want to see someone who is against gay marriage come in here and agree.

 

Damn you, KS, you beat me to the punch!

Yes, really controversial. Next thing you know they may give female staff members equal pay. Or get rid of the whites only and coloreds only water fountains.

Incidentally, is there some kind of link to this endorsement? Did they take a political stand, or merely extend benefits to same sex partners (which most large and numerous small and medium businesses, and the federal government when it operates, do)?

 

I extend the same question to you Crand, would you continue to follow the team if they publicly came out against gay marriage?

 

I don't care for it much. I'm pro-gay marriage and all but I believe sports organizations should remain neutral to all controversial political topics.

Now if the players want to come out and support it I would have no problem as they are an individual.

 

This. Exactly. Thank you.

Repped.

 

I'm pretty sure this is a better investment than coming out against it or not taking a position at all.

 

How is it a better "investment" than taking no position at all?

 

Some of you act like "equal rights" is not politics. Many people have died fighting for "equal rights". Many people have killed fighting against equal rights. If you think the issue of gay MARRIAGE isn't politics, you are fucking stupid, or in total fucking denial based on your own biases.

All of us 'right-thinking' folks are in favor of equal rights. That doesn't mean we don't have to win equal rights in the political arena every time a new group asks for inclusion.

 

Because it's good press?

 

So then is Rupert Murdoch's Faux News media empire going to endorse the Blazers endorsing gay marriage?

I can't wait to see that.

 

I just don't think politics should be brought into sports. Just leave it out. It's that simple.

 

Good press for whom exactly? The Blazers? Does it really help them? They're preaching to the choir in Portland. That's like coming out and publicly saying that the Prius is a great car! If Portland was a conservative city, then it would be news if a pro team came out in favor of gay marriage, but Portland isn't OKC or Texas.

 

Here is the official endorsement, if anyone was curious.

http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/trail-blazers-endorse-marriage-equality

 

I get that that is your position. It's obvious that is your position. What I don't get is how that simple position gets all twisted around by some people's bias and agenda.

I agree with your position. It's a bad business move to piss off a significant portion of your customer base. For example: When Obama got elected there were a couple of merchants in my town who were so blinded by hate, they started posting the Faux News anti-Obama talking point of the day on their reader boards. Some of it was really absurd and hateful. I will not frequent those morons' businesses. Bad business move.

There are some here who have managed to understand your position, and still disagree with it. Probably could just agree to disagree, and move on (to the OT board perhaps?).

 

I don't even look at it from a business standpoint. I just don't think it's fair to the fans. This time maybe they're happy because the Blazers took their viewpoint on an issue, but it's dangerous for a team to start getting involved in politics, and that's exactly what they're doing. They specifically endorsed a ballot initiative. Not sure how that could be anything other than politics. What about the fans who don't agree with the stance that the Blazers took? Are they supposed to just turn their backs on the team? Are they supposed to just accept it and move on?

The Blazers have essentially thrown their hat into the politics ring, and by supporting one side of an issue, they are acting as a lobbyist. They are lobbying for a political issue. Whether I agree with the issue or not, I don't think this should happen.

Could this be moved to the OT section? Yes, but it specifically involves the Blazers. This is a debate over whether sports teams like the Blazers should get into politics, and I think it's important. Maybe the masses agree with this choice, but what about the next choice? It opens a door that I don't think should be opened.

 

I'm totally in support of our athletes joining that Athlete Ally group. I think it's horrible that gay athletes are discriminated against. If a player is talented, and he or she is good enough to play professionally, then they should not be afraid to come out publicly. It's good that Jason Collins came out, but at the same time, he's not really even an active player at this point in his career. If he would have come out before being drafted, that would have been much more significant.