OPINION: Homophobia in Sports: Is Enough Being Done?

This past week Joakim Noah, a center for the Chicago Bulls, called a fan in the stands a "F**king f**got" ( read the whole story here). Last month, Kobe Bryant called a referee the same explicit epithet. Both were made to apologize- under the pressure of the NBA as well as GLBT advocacy such as GLAAD, and were made to pay a heavy sum of money to the NBA for using the slur. But has this really changed their minds? Only Noah and Bryant know for sure- but I would argue that making homophobic sports players pay sums of money for their "mistakes" only makes them more hardened to stand by their ways.

Sure, it will probably stop them from using gay slurs on the court- but what about at home, in the locker room, or with their friends? Many may think that it doesn't matter what they say- as long as it's not in the public eye. I am here to tell those people that it does matter. As more and more people in the GLBT community come out of the closet, it is evident that there are members of the community all around us. What I am saying is just because someone does not say they are gay, doesn't mean that they are straight- obvious, right?

Maybe- and that is the point I am trying to make. It seems the resolve is staring everyone in the face but no one in sports really wants to address it- EDUCATION. Education is the key to acceptance. These sports powerhouses- whether it be the NBA, NHL, MLB, or NFL- need to educate their players on the importance of acceptance- not only for their own good, but more importantly for all those who look up to them and are trying to follow in their footsteps- young athletes and sports fans.

I can envision someone reading this post and saying "Okay, Nick- I think you are going a little overboard here- they apologized, they got fined, what more do you want?" The truth is- I want complete acceptance and I will not stop pioneering for GLBT rights in all areas until that goal is reached.

Here's why- Jaheem Herrera, an 11 year old from Atlanta, GA, killed himself last year after enduring years of torture from his classmates for being, as his family said, "effeminate". His 10 year old sister walked in to his room and found he had hung himself by his own belt in his closet. Add that to over a dozen well-publicized grade school GLBT youth suicides in just the past year alone- and those are just the ones that made it into the media. Many of these kids look up to sports figures as heroes.

So what do you think happens when a gay or lesbian 11 year old, while watching the NBA playoffs in their #13 Chicago Bulls Jersey in their living room, hears their hero call someone a fag? It's bad enough going to school everyday and getting bullied- believe me, I know- but how about hearing it from someone they have looked up to? Do you think an 11 year old feels better when Noah or Bryant is ordered to pay a monetary fine for their gay slur? Of course not- the damage is done.

This is why we must be on the defensive instead of the offensive when it comes to homophobia in sports. We need more education, more professional teams supportive of the gay community, more done in sports in general to ensure these kids can keep their heroes in tact as well as have a positive role model to look up to.

One ESPN.com commenter commented on the Noah Gay slur story calling it "just an insult- like calling someone an a**hole- people need to stop being so sensitive about this stuff". Maybe he should tell that to Jaheem Herrera's family.


To find out what you can do to help: start at http://www.itgetsbetter.org/. The San Francisco Giants have already pledged  to record a video. The first pitch has already been thrown. Will you help knock it out of the park or strike out?

Chicago History Museum's "Out In Chicago"

The Chicago History Museum will present a special exhibit called "Out In Chicago" to commemorate June as Pride Month. According to the Chicago History Museum website, Out in Chicago explores the stories of a group of Chicagoans who have been here since the city’s beginnings but whose lives have often been lived in the shadows.   

From the Chicago History website:

Out in Chicago spans diverse stories and perspectives and explores issues such as language, gender expression, formation of identity, the role of LGBT people in politics and culture, and family relationships. It balances private stories with public perspectives in relation to gender, community, and identity  and spotlights the inspiring and charged heritage of this diverse Chicago community, whose history truly belongs to all of us.

Check out a sneak peak of the exhibit, which opens this Saturday, here. 

For more information and a complete list of events beginning this weekend, click here.

Joakim Noah Uses Gay Slur During NBA Playoffs

 

Joakim Noah, a center for the Chicago Bulls, is under fire for using a gay slur during a playoffs game last night. Caught on camera, Noah is heard calling a fan a "f**king f**got". Kobe Bryant called a referee the same slur during a game a couple months ago and was fined $100,000 for the verbal attack. 

GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios remarked, "Last month the NBA sent an important message about how such slurs fuel a climate of intolerance and are unacceptable. These anti-gay remarks, coming so soon after, demonstrate how much needs to be done.”

Barrios continued, "Noah's apology is a start. We are confident that the NBA will now take disciplinary measures and hasten its work with us to tell all players that there is no place for anti-gay words and attitudes in the game."

Noah's slur comes just a week after Phoenix Suns President and CEO Rick Welts revealed he was gay.

 The NBA has yet to comment on the matter. 

More must be done to curb the use of gay slurs, not only in the NBA, but all professional sports. As the NBA takes more aggressive measures to fine those using the anti-gay slur, the more it will curb its usage.

Plans To Convert Station Into Senior Housing

The City of Chicago unveiled plans May 13 to turn the historic former 23rd District Town Hall police station at 3600 N. Halsted into affordable community housing for seniors with a specific focus on providing a secure place for LGBT seniors to "age with dignity."

The space will include 90 rental units as well as provide new retail space servicing the Lakeview community. The housing units will include studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units.

Heartland Housing, a non-profit developer and frequent partner of the city, was the only developer to respond to the city's request for proposals last July. Executive Director Michael Goldberg said that an estimated 40,000 LGBT seniors live in the city and the population stands as one of the most invisible groups in the community.

This is a great opportunity for our aging LGBT population to enjoy their "golden years" with a support system to call their own. 

Rahm Emanuel Declares June Pride Month

Only a few days into holding office, new Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel has issued a proclamation declaring June Pride Month.

The Proclamation states:

"WHEREAS, the 42nd Annual Pride Parade, one of the major events of the month, will take place on Sunday, June 26, 2011, bringing together an estimated 450,000 people; and..."


"WHEREAS, Chicago's diverse Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities have contributed significantly to the quality of life in Chicago;


NOW, THEREFORE, I, RAHM EMANUEL, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO, do hereby proclaim June 2011 to be PRIDE MONTH in CHICAGO, and encourage all Chicagoans to recognize the many contributions the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities have made to our city."
View the proclamation here.

Chicago is gearing up for Pride Month! Check back soon for more updates on event in activities going on in the LGBT community during the month of June.

Chicago Civil Unions Start June 1st!

June 1st kicks off the legalization of Civil Unions in the city of Chicago. On June 1st, Gays and Lesbians will be able to apply for a Civil Unions. LGBT organizations all over the city will be holding special Civil Union ceremonies throughout the week and weekend to commemorate the momentous occasion.

Below are a few events going on that week:

• The Chicago Commission on Human Relations’ Advisory Council on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues will be hosting  a uniting ceremony on June 2nd at Wrigley Square in Chicago's Millennium Park. Thirty couples will have the chance to engage in a civil union ceremony with officiants from the county clerk's office. Governor Pat Quinn is expected to attend. The ceremony starts at 10 AM. 

•  The Civil Rights Agenda and its Families United Project will be hosting Unite With Pride: A Community Celebration. The event will allow couples to be united in an outdoor ceremony on a plaza at the Chicago History Museum, followed by a cocktail reception inside the museum. Participants will also have access to the “Out in Chicago” LGBT history exhibit, which opens in May at the museum. The event is scheduled for June 3rd. To register for this important event as a couple, or simply as a guest showing your support: click here

• In Bolingbrook, a southwest suburb of Chicago, a wedding planner is offering “Dream Gay Weddings” at the upscale Bolingbrook Golf Club, with six officiants available to perform ceremonies, and the local office of the DuPage County Clerk is seeking to extend its hours to meet the expected demand for civil union licenses when they become available June 1, the Chicago Tribune reports. Wedding planner Cheryl Hooten said Bolingbrook officials contacted her about organizing a special civil unions event, and she hopes to attract as many as 60 couples. Ceremonies at the golf club will begin at midnight June 2, the earliest time possible, as there is a one-day waiting period after applying for the license.

         For more information visit The Bolingbrook Country Club site here.

These is a GREAT opportunity to come out your Chicago friends and family as well as support the loving couples engaging in civil unions. More information about other events to come!!