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GLAF Salutes NBA's Crackdown on Homophobia February 17th, 2007 CAMBRIDGE, MA -- The Gay & Lesbian Athletics Foundation salutes the decision by the National Basketball Association and Commissioner David Stern to bar Tim Hardaway from participation in All-Star Weekend activities because of his divisive and prejudicial remarks. This decision indicates an institutional desire to act against homophobia within the NBA ranks. Hardaway, a former NBA Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors player, spoke on radio station Sports Talk 790 The Ticket in response to questions about the coming out of former NBA player John Amaechi. His remarks reflect the same exclusionary discourse that was once used to keep women and black men out of sports. The decision to bar Hardaway from the All-Star events is an appropriate "first step" toward the NBA's goal of ridding itself of such inexcusable ignorance within its ranks. Although we recognize that such homophobic sentiment is less rampant in sports now than in decades past, the NBA and others should actively speak up against such overt homophobia at every opportunity, whether it occurs in an interview, in the locker room, or on the court. We often look to sports stars as heroes and role models; particularly when they have overcome substantial barriers to their success. GLAF hopes that today's youth can see beyond Hardaway's hateful rhetoric and instead make sport a better meritocracy where we all can play according to one's ability, regardless of other factors. This, after all, is the very thing we love about sport. Dan Woog, an openly gay high school soccer coach said, "The real harm in these comments is the message it sends to young athletes -- gay and straight. Gay teenagers need to know that every door -- even the one to the basketball court -- is open to them, and straight kids need to know that some of their teammates might be gay. Most of the reaction to John Amaechi's coming out has been positive, but Tim Hardaway reminds us that there is still work to be done." The Gay & Lesbian Athletics Foundation exists to help cultivate an environment in sports in which athletes are accepted and respected without regard to their sexual orientation. In the process, we help to create positive role models for society at large. About the Gay & Lesbian Athletics Foundation GLAF is dedicated to the acceptance and visibility of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender men and women in the professional, amateur, and recreational athletics communities. The Foundation promotes understanding and respect among ALL members of the athletics community regardless of sexual orientation, through promoting educational programs and resources and inclusive environments throughout all levels of sports and athletics. The Foundation also promotes the development of positive role models and healthy lifestyles through sports and athletics for society at-large. See http://www.glaf.org About the Gay & Lesbian Athletics Foundation GLAF is dedicated to the acceptance and visibility of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender men and women in the professional, amateur, and recreational athletics communities. The Foundation promotes understanding and respect among ALL members of the athletics community regardless of sexual orientation, through promoting educational programs and resources and inclusive environments throughout all levels of sports and athletics. The Foundation also promotes the development of positive role models and healthy lifestyles through sports and athletics for society at-large. See http://www.glaf.org |
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