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Post by London on Apr 29, 2013 12:33:50 GMT -6
This is a big deal.
He's 34 and has been in the league 12 years.
Good for him!
Good for everyone!
[For the record Sheryl Swoopes and Britany Griner both have come out - I think - and were/will be pro players while they were open.]
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Post by Derek on Apr 29, 2013 12:50:19 GMT -6
I agree with everything except the first line. I don't want to argue but I want to make a point.
Let me preface this by saying I do not want to argue because my beliefs or thoughts likely won't coincide with what I am about to post (Oh, white straight male btw):
This should not be a big deal. If the point is to be treated equal, it should just be okay. Barack Obama winning presidential election shouldn't matter because he is an American (who cares what race). If the LGBT community wants to be treated equally, quit making statements and marches showing how different you are. Most people today don't care who is what. Only time I have an issue with anyone from the LGBT community is when they shove it in my face with outward expressions. Note that I don't like PDA of any sort.
I am more supportive when people keep quiet and let others make a fool of themselves. Like any show of racism, the idiot is the one performing the act... not the "victim." LGBT community should let other like Alfred Blue (LSU RB) make an ass out of themselves, not march around and make asses of themselves.
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Post by Berlin on Apr 29, 2013 12:54:29 GMT -6
It is good in that it advances the discussion, but he is also a free agent in the twilight of his career. I honestly wonder if he'll get another job in the league, or even if he wants one at this point (even though I hear he says he wants to keep playing in the article). I'm wondering if it is an announcement to advance the topic on his way out the door.
That being said, I'm disappointed by what I've heard so far on sports talk in DC (Collins played for the Wizards this season)...a lot of "Um, he can do what he wants at home, but he should keep it out of the public eye" and "I'm glad he didn't do this during the season, he'd just be a distraction to the team" type stuff from most of the callers. Every time you think we are making strides in this country...
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Post by London on Apr 29, 2013 12:55:36 GMT -6
Brasil, it should just be okay.
You're 100% right on that.
That's why bringing it out of the shadows and stopping denying who people are is a big step. Not that I think we'll start talking about "The 10th pick in the draft is gay" because you're right I don't think people need to announce it. Frankly, I don't care if you are or aren't. I just care if people tell you that you can't be something or that it's wrong in some way.
I don't think it should matter when the goal of a team is to get the best talent on the floor/field/court/turf. Same for the rest of life. If you're good/talented then you're cool with me. If you're not - meh.
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Post by Derek on Apr 29, 2013 12:59:13 GMT -6
Had it occurred during the season, it would have been a distraction. I agree. I think it would have been best had he been "caught" ... not sure how to word it. Then have some media person ask why he was holding hands with that guy. Could have just nonchalantly said, "He's my boyfriend." Instead of it being some big deal where each person will take turns "coming out." Just let people be. Mind your own business. Why does everything have to be blown up?
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Post by London on Apr 29, 2013 13:02:01 GMT -6
It is good in that it advances the discussion, but he is also a free agent in the twilight of his career. I honestly wonder if he'll get another job in the league, or even if he wants one at this point (even though I know he hear he says he wants to keep playing i the article). I'm wondering if it is an announcement to advance the topic on his way out the door. That being said, I'm disappointed by what I've heard so far on sports talk in DC so far (Collins played for the Wizards this season)...a lot of "Um, he can do what he wants at home, but he should keep it out of the public eye" and "I'm glad he didn't do this during the season, he'd just be a distraction to the team" type stuff from most of the callers. Every time you think we are making strides in this country... Yeah, I didn't realize he was an expiring. I thought he was under contract. At 34 it might be tough to find a job especially if you were already playing for the Wizards (I mean if you're not good enough to play for them, what's next? The crosstown rival Generals?) Sorry to hear that the Wiz fans feel that way. I understand what they are saying about a distraction but that's a sad if that's your first concern. There are bigger things on the table than a distraction for a lottery team no one watches. Hopefully we get to a point in society where its a non-talker and not even brought up because no one cares about it. |
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Post by London on Apr 29, 2013 13:03:28 GMT -6
Had it occurred during the season, it would have been a distraction. I agree. I think it would have been best had he been "caught" ... not sure how to word it. Then have some media person ask why he was holding hands with that guy. Could have just nonchalantly said, "He's my boyfriend." Instead of it being some big deal where each person will take turns "coming out." Just let people be. Mind your own business. Why does everything have to be blown up? Well, this is big because it's the first. We all hope that the 2nd and 3rd and 8th and 100th person this happens to becomes a smaller and smaller headline. |
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Post by Derek on Apr 29, 2013 13:05:28 GMT -6
Quick Question:
If someone came out and held a major press conference and announced they were straight, would the LGBT community be in an uproar?
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Post by Berlin on Apr 29, 2013 13:08:14 GMT -6
Quick Question: If someone came out and held a major press conference and announced they were straight, would the LGBT community be in an uproar? Really not sure I get your point at all here... |
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Post by London on Apr 29, 2013 13:11:11 GMT -6
Quick Question: If someone came out and held a major press conference and announced they were straight, would the LGBT community be in an uproar? Well.. considering it would be making a mockery of a very touchy subject (and something people are chastised for) you'd be setting up for a whole world of negative public response from the gay and straight communities. |
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Post by Derek on Apr 29, 2013 13:20:02 GMT -6
My point is that if you don't want to be chastised for being different, stop doing things that point out just how different you are. I have an issue with people who consistently want to draw attention to themselves... not people who are a different race, gender, or sexual orientation.
Collins is smart, by being the first, he stands to make a lot of money despite his career coming to an end. I don't have an issue with that at all but don't complain when people hate you because you're different than they are... that is, and always has been, human nature.
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Post by Dave on Apr 29, 2013 13:22:39 GMT -6
It is good in that it advances the discussion, but he is also a free agent in the twilight of his career. I honestly wonder if he'll get another job in the league, or even if he wants one at this point (even though I know he hear he says he wants to keep playing i the article). I'm wondering if it is an announcement to advance the topic on his way out the door. That being said, I'm disappointed by what I've heard so far on sports talk in DC so far (Collins played for the Wizards this season)...a lot of "Um, he can do what he wants at home, but he should keep it out of the public eye" and "I'm glad he didn't do this during the season, he'd just be a distraction to the team" type stuff from most of the callers. Every time you think we are making strides in this country... Yeah, I didn't realize he was an expiring. I thought he was under contract. At 34 it might be tough to find a job especially if you were already playing for the Wizards (I mean if you're not good enough to play for them, what's next? The crosstown rival Generals?) Sorry to hear that the Wiz fans feel that way. I understand what they are saying about a distraction but that's a sad if that's your first concern. There are bigger things on the table than a distraction for a lottery team no one watches. Hopefully we get to a point in society where its a non-talker and not even brought up because no one cares about it. This is my first thought. Cool he came out, but this is a 34 year old Free Agent. He is probably not going to get alot of interest outside of a team that may just want the press. I hope this doesn't keep him from getting another team. I mean I understand centers are a dying breed, but he should have got a shot before this announcement so I hope he gets it. I just hope this brings out somebody who is in the spotlight versus a guy that 90% of fans don't know |
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Tyler
Assistant to the General Manager
Ruling with an Iron Fist
Posts: 1,284 
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Post by Tyler on Apr 29, 2013 13:24:46 GMT -6
It is a big deal and it isnt at the same time. The goal here is for everyone to be treated equal and at this point in time everyone is not being treated equal. Yes in a sense its ridiculous because media blows it out of proportion but at the same time its necessary for a short time. Barak is black and at the time of his first election it was an amazing thing to see happen but now that he is president, him being black means nothing. Its exactly as it should be. So all in all Im glad Collins came out as well as Griner. Its necessary at first and eventually it will be as normal as anything else.
I just feel like people need to be more open and accepting of everyone else whether it be things you like, things you enjoy doing, they way you live your life, ect, ect. All in all we are all in this world together and bothering yourself with prejudice of any kind is a waste of time and energy. Who are any of us to say its wrong or right for each other? We are all nobodies, so opinions shouldn't matter as much as they do, and people shouldn't be so un-accepting of something that doesn't matter in their individual day to day life. Anyways, Im glad people aren't afraid to come out these days. Its 2013 and its about damn time we start moving the human race in the right direction.
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Tyler
Assistant to the General Manager
Ruling with an Iron Fist
Posts: 1,284
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Post by Tyler on Apr 29, 2013 13:27:39 GMT -6
My point is that if you don't want to be chastised for being different, stop doing things that point out just how different you are. I have an issue with people who consistently want to draw attention to themselves... not people who are a different race, gender, or sexual orientation. Collins is smart, by being the first, he stands to make a lot of money despite his career coming to an end. I don't have an issue with that at all but don't complain when people hate you because you're different than they are... that is, and always has been, human nature. They HAVE to point out how different they are otherwise they have to hide it and pretend they arent. Its a subject that needs to be brought to light until it has been accepted as just another normal thing in our world. As for him being smart because he came out so he can make money.. You are being ignorant for thinking that's the first thing (or even one thing) on his mind. Not trying to be a dick but that is not the point of all this. The point is to open people up to something that is not negative in any way. |
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Post by Dave on Apr 29, 2013 13:28:31 GMT -6
Ok I had never heard Brittney Griner speak before, uhm was this ever in question? Dudest sounding chick I've ever heard
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Post by London on Apr 29, 2013 13:29:10 GMT -6
My point is that if you don't want to be chastised for being different, stop doing things that point out just how different you are. I have an issue with people who consistently want to draw attention to themselves... not people who are a different race, gender, or sexual orientation. This might be one of the more ignorant things I've ever read. Thanks. |
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Post by London on Apr 29, 2013 13:30:37 GMT -6
Ok I had never heard Brittney Griner speak before, uhm was this ever in question? Dudest sounding chick I've ever heard I maybe shouldn't have said Griner for sure, I had heard that on Twitter today but I never double checked it. |
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Post by Dave on Apr 29, 2013 13:31:06 GMT -6
My point is that if you don't want to be chastised for being different, stop doing things that point out just how different you are. I have an issue with people who consistently want to draw attention to themselves... not people who are a different race, gender, or sexual orientation. This might be one of the more ignorant things I've ever read. Thanks. Holy crap, I missed that comment when skimming through this.... |
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Post by Berlin on Apr 29, 2013 13:32:28 GMT -6
My point is that if you don't want to be chastised for being different, stop doing things that point out just how different you are. I have an issue with people who consistently want to draw attention to themselves... not people who are a different race, gender, or sexual orientation. Collins is smart, by being the first, he stands to make a lot of money despite his career coming to an end. I don't have an issue with that at all but don't complain when people hate you because you're different than they are... that is, and always has been, human nature. They HAVE to point out how different they are otherwise they have to hide it and pretend they arent. Its a subject that needs to be brought to light until it has been accepted as just another normal thing in our world. As for him being smart because he came out so he can make money.. You are being ignorant for thinking that's the first thing on his mind. Not trying to be a dick but that is not the point of all this. I literally wanted to back out of this conversation like the Kool-Aid guy busting through the wall after Brasil's last post. |
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Post by Derek on Apr 29, 2013 13:34:18 GMT -6
London - Yes, poorly worded. Not ignorant. I am not saying don't be "different" ... simply meant we don't all need signs or interviews to let everyone know in what way we are different. I don't have a problem with anyone who is gay, I have a problem when I am trying to get to work and you are holding up traffic to let the world know.
CSKA - Come on now, he even admitted he was "waiting for the right time" to do so.
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Tyler
Assistant to the General Manager
Ruling with an Iron Fist
Posts: 1,284
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Post by Tyler on Apr 29, 2013 13:34:55 GMT -6
My point is that if you don't want to be chastised for being different, stop doing things that point out just how different you are. I have an issue with people who consistently want to draw attention to themselves... not people who are a different race, gender, or sexual orientation. This might be one of the more ignorant things I've ever read. Thanks. On top of that. The next sentence is just as ridiculous. Some people are always trying to draw attention to themselves whether its the clothes they wear, how loud they talk, what car they drive, ect, ect.. Their is good reason for any LGBT to come out when they are in a position to bring light to the situation. For 12 years no one had a problem with this man and they still wont knowing hes gay.. Hes showing that there is nothing wrong with being different and it changes nothing about the guy. It may not be a big deal to you but its a big deal to some and its the right thing to do. |
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Post by London on Apr 29, 2013 13:35:01 GMT -6
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Post by Dave on Apr 29, 2013 13:38:19 GMT -6
Ok so this thread has made me very uneasy about staying in here. I'm out!
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Tyler
Assistant to the General Manager
Ruling with an Iron Fist
Posts: 1,284
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Post by Tyler on Apr 29, 2013 13:38:30 GMT -6
London - Yes, poorly worded. Not ignorant. I am not saying don't be "different" ... simply meant we don't all need signs or interviews to let everyone know in what way we are different. I don't have a problem with anyone who is gay, I have a problem when I am trying to get to work and you are holding up traffic to let the world know. CSKA - Come on now, he even admitted he was "waiting for the right time" to do so. Right time meaning when he is ready to. When his team is in the off season. When he has no ties and cant bring any negative or positive light to any organization. When he thinks its a good time for people to hear it.. Not when he has figured out the best way to make the most money. You talk like hes been plotting for week on how to make the most money off of coming out. Thats ridiculous. |
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Post by London on Apr 29, 2013 13:40:18 GMT -6
You heard it. Dave is the first ABCA GM to come out. STOP DRAWING ATTENTION TO YOURSELF, DAVE!!!  |
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