OT NBA referee Bill Kennedy reveals he is gay; Rajon Rondo made slur to him

I like his quote. That is why coming out matters. When we come out, we send a message to other gay boys, girls, men, and women that it is okay to be yourself.

 

Good for the ref. As a Bisexual man, I'm glad more and more athletes are coming forward with confidence.

Does the league "need" to know; as in, "should those who are gay shove it down everyone's throat?" Boy....that's a loaded question.

On one hand, I understand some in the NBA not wanting to know/not wanting to hear it. And, in fact, I also believe that, at a certain level, we shouldn't bring it onto the court. At least, we shouldn't make it the defining social issue for the league. We already get that enough in the media; no need to bring it into sports. When we watch sports, we watch sports to be entertained, not to hear more "social justice" so to speak.

On the other hand, as someone who's had difficulty with my own sexuality when I was younger, I also understand the dynamics, emotionally/mentally/spiritually, that goes into making such a decision to be open about your sexuality. It IS a big decision, and not one that should be taken lightly.

I know that, for me, all I wanted was to be treated the same as everyone else. When I WAS treated differently, it was because of my hearing loss; not my sexuality. And that was the last thing I wanted.

I feel this is echoed by others in the LGBT community. Hopefully, Kennedy feels the same way, and isn't treated differently because of his sexuality.

EDIT: Thank you KingAlbert for pointing out my mistake, and my apologies to anyone I offended.

 

Being open about who you are isn't "shoving it down everyone's throat." When Aminu announced he was having a baby, was he shoving his heterosexuality down everyone's throat? Of course not. One day, it won't matter if you're gay or straight. That day has not arrived. A 10 year old Southern gay boy who plays flag football needs role models right now. He needs to know its okay that he's gay and that being gay won't stop him or make it difficult for him to be a professional athlete if that is what he chooses to do. That is why Michael Sam and Jason Collins matter. That is why Bill Kennedy matters. More people need to come out and one day, it won't matter anymore. As I said, we're not there yet.

 

Also Jade- you used a gay slur at the end of your post. You said Rondo can suck a dick as a way to say something negative about him. How we speak/write matters.

 

I didn't mean to suggest that, by being gay, one was shoving their sexuality down anyone's throat. Rather, I meant to suggest that those who are not gay and sensitive on the subject MIGHT feel that they were having it shoved down their throats.

My mistake, thank you. I edited my post.

 

Way past gay. Watching that show Transparent on Amazon.

I've never been so uncomfortable watching a tv show and enjoying it at the same time.

 

I love that show. Can't wait for next season. Made me realize there are probably transgender people in my life that I don't know are transgender. Some of them pass very well.

 

We're a couple of episodes into season two. It can be so surprising. I was telling my wife how I remember Married With Children being protested when I was a teen.

I wish I could have shown people this back then.

 

Giggity giggity goo

 

My question is since it is socially acceptable for black dudes to spout n word is it ok to call people f word if you are gay? If that's the case maybe we should make sure Ronda isnt gay before he is punished?

Just a little early morning trolling my friends.

I've always said I dont care what color you are or what sexual orientation you are, or what your religious preferences, or if you were born the opposite sex, or if you're a sad lonely democrat, or if God punished you by making you a woman, as long as you hate the lakers and love the blazers, I'd let you serve me a beer. Except the HCP of course... took our jerbs

 

Why is it that Republicans use that phrase so much about homosexuality? It just make me think of this.

 

Rondo should know better.* As should both Kobe and Joakim Noah, who have previously got into trouble for "faggot". It's as if they feel they have to Thug It Up because that's not really what they're like. (I hope - I'm pretty sure Kobe and Noah aren't, and I thought better of Rondo.)


*(Well, everyone should, of course. What I mean is, I thought Rondo DID know better.)

 

It's wrong, and I'm not trying to rationalize it whatsoever. But when these guys were kids thats what you would call people if you wanted a derogatory word. They've probably said it a million times and it's one of the first that rolls off the tongue because of how much they used it as kids.

Is it wrong? Absolutely. My guess is it will die off and no one will say it after the millenials die off.

Kinda like how baby boomers say "oriental" to this day

 

I don't care if anybody is gay or straight, whatever, I treat everybody the same. He says he's a "proud gay man" but it took rondo calling him a fag to come out. If he was so proud, he would of come out sooner and in this day and age when somebody comes out, it's highly embraced and I would say gay people actually have the upper hand on heterosexuals because everybody tries to be so progressive and a social justice warrior these days. Especially in Portland. I'm 24, I grew up calling my friends fags and a faggot but with a totally different meaning behind it. Never meant to offend gay people, we use it way differently and I still do it to my friends these days. I just don't see the issue here. I bet refs here players say very socially unacceptable things but nothing happens with them. Rondo meanwhile slips up and all of a sudden everybody think he's a homophobic bigot or whatever progressives call people these days. People need to lighten up, get a sense of humor. It's cool he came out but it's not a big deal

 

Slips up? Did you see the video of Rondo going after the guy?

 

Rondo's a douche, glad hes ejected. I don't care what sexuality you are either. But, everyone should just keep their god damned sexuality to themselves. Can we please have some privacy back in the world? Jesus. I do think though, that if they're going to start coming down hard on players using certain words they should extend that farther, to other slurs, including (but not limited to) the word "nigga" (and its other forms).

If you're going to be offended by shit and fine people, then stay consistent across the board and send a real message.