Chicago's Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club is either the most forgiving gay bar — or has the most keen sense of generating publicity. Rather than joining the criticism of "fag"-calling White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, the Kit Kat has instead named a drink after him: The Effen Ozzie GuillenTini. The martini "is made with assorted fresh fruits, vodka and served with a complimentary Sun-Times sports section for $8.50." You can enjoy one during the bars next drag show &mdsah; and all the way through baseball season.

Straight up: Gay bar makes Ozzie GuillenTini [Chicago Sun-Times]
Related: All Ozzie Guillen Coverage

Even though the gay community – and really, what the hell does that mean? – hasn't exactly accepted Ozzie Guillen's apology for using the word "fag" as a derogatory term, the White Sox manager still plans on attending the Gay Games in Chicago. Guillen will use his single free day during the team's six-day road trip to accept the invitation by Gay Games organizers, which means on the second day of competition he'll be alongside track and field, softball, flat football, and wrestling fans. Gay Games VII spokesman Kevin Boyer says the event is welcoming Guillen with open arms.

We're glad to hear he'll be attending because it demonstrates how the gay games brings people together -- whether straight or gay -- through competition. There's no hurt feelings. He's apologized . . . he won't do it again.

Your call: Does Ozzie deserve to be welcomed at the Gay Games?

Despite slur, Ozzie says he'll attend Gay Games [Chicago Sun-Times]
Related: All Ozzie Guillen Coverage

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen – who made headlines this week when he threw the word "fag" at Chicago Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti over one of his articles – was handed two separate punishments yesterday for his bad behavior. The lesser of the two: a one game suspension (which he served last night) and undisclosed fine for the "internal actions" of relief pitcher David Riske, who pegged St. Louis' Chris Duncan in Tuesday's game after both teams received warnings. And as for throwing around prejudicial slurs?

He's being fined and ordered to attend sensitivity training, ordered up by MLB commissioner Bud Selig. Guillen's reaction? He's fine with the punishment. Oh, and:

I don't regret what I say about Jay. I regret what I say about the [gay] community.

Guillen fine with MLB's punishment [Chicago Tribune]

Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen made a formal apology last night for using the word "fag" to insult Sun-Times columnist Jay Mariotti. His word choice may have been inappropriate, he says, but not his message.

"I shouldn't have mentioned the name that was mentioned, but I'm not going to back off of Jay," Guillen said, using another profanity to describe Mariotti.

"The word I used, I should have used something different. A lot of people's feelings were hurt and I didn't mean it that way."

Meanwhile, Mariotti's column today is calling for Guillen's suspension. Sure, it takes him four paragraphs to get into his argument, but he's got a good case: This is the second time in less than a year Guillen has made disparaging remarks toward homosexuals; last year, he "greet[ed] a friend warmly" by saying "Hey, everybody, this guy's a homosexual! He's a child molester!'

Mariotti wants Guillen handed a two week suspension — just enough time for some decency to settle in and realize what a public embarrassment he's become for his team and the city of Chicago. Perhaps ironically, Mariotti actually supported Guillen getting the team manager spot, knowing he might be insensitive at times. But never egregiously so.

White Sox manager apologizes for 'fag' remark [AP]
Sensitivity the issue, Guillen the problem [Chicago Sun-Times]
Earlier: White Sox's Ozzie Guillen: I Can Say 'Fag' Without Being Homophobic
Earlier: Perhaps the White Sox's Ozzie Guillen Isn't So Anti-Gay, After All

Remember yesterday's item about the White Sox's Ozzie Guillen calling Chicago Sun-Times Jay Mariotti columnist a "fag" and then recoiling with the defense that he has gay friends and all that? Perhaps his best defense would've been to remind everyone of this picture. Can you call a dude a homophobe if he's lip-locking with other jocks?

Weekend Caption Contest™ Winners [Wizbang Pop]
Earlier: White Sox's Ozzie Guillen: I Can Say 'Fag' Without Being Homophobic

For every modicum of progress made in gay men and women feeling accepted in the sports world, it only takes a single blow to knock the wind out of our headway. On Tuesday, it was Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen who stole this dubious honor.

Reacting to a column by the Chicago Sun-Times' Jay Mariotti about Guillen's handling of relief pitcher Sean Tracey, the Sox's manager said, "What a piece of shit he is, fucking fag." (Mariotti was covering the NBA Finals and wasn't there to witness the comments.) Fellow Sun-Times columnist Greg Couch addressed the issue and demanded MLB Commissioner Bud Selig to suspend Guillen over the use of a "hurtful homophobic" term. He also asked Giullen to defend himself.

Guillen's excuse? In his native country of Venezuela, using the word "fag" isn't offensive, apparently: "I don't have anything against those people. In my country, you call someone something like that and it is not the same as it is in this country." Oh, and he also has gay friends, goes to WNBA games, went to a Madonna concert and plans to attend Chicago's Gay Games. Nevermind the explicit meaning Guillen meant when he used the word "fag": that columnist Mariotti "was not man enough to meet me and talk about [things before writing]." Because anyone who's got gay friends and enjoys striking a pose could never say something homophobic.

Guillen calls columnist Mariotti homosexual slur [ESPN]