We’re all for a story that has a happy ending, especially if it involves a reformed homophobe.
Colorado Mesa College coach Sean McKinney was investigated for saying “we kill gay people” after his former player Tyler Dunnington was profiled for OutSports. Dunnington didn’t name the source of the remarks, but the school’s investigation led them to McKinney.
Instead of firing him, the school chose to use it as a teachable lesson for McKinney, who gave OutSports the exclusive on the school’s decision:
“As the story spread and more stuff was revealed, it got really tough this week. I’m forever in debt to the people in this university and my friends and family. They know my true character. Some of that is in question, obviously, because of what’s gone on with Tyler’s story. But I would never harm anyone on our team. This week I’m sure this has been questions about how I feel about Tyler. I hope he’s OK. I called him this morning to apologize. I want him to have a good life.”
McKinney has met with LGBT students at CMU, and says their stories are helping him evolve his initial views, which he says came from ignorance:
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“I feel so much empathy. The stories that I’ve listened to about them coming out and how tough it’s been, and the gut-wrenching feeling they’ve had, is similar to the feeling I’ve had this week. I want to help them. I want to help raise awareness not just for our team but for our campus. I’ve made some off-the-cuff comments, and one in particular was not right. Tyler heard it, and I apologized for it. Through this process I’m learning everyone’s stories and what the impact of our language is.”
CMU is actively implementing more programming to increase acceptance of LGBT students and to curb the type of locker-room homophobia that makes many gay student athletes feel unsafe.
Brian JC Kneeland
seems a bit late – he has already opened his mouth full of negativity!
GC1985
I always doubt motives. Is he trying to save face or is he really changing his opinions? I would hope his intentions are genuine and not just a way to salvage his reputation.
DCguy
I’m glad he has changed his tone, but, I think the question has to be asked. If he had said something similar about women or say, Asians, or Latinos would he have gotten away with it without punishment? (i.e. if he said, we kill (insert women, or slang term for racial minorities).
If the answer is no, then we have to ask ourselves why LGBTs are any different in their eyes. Residual bigotry would seem to be coloring the way they handle this.
Ben Stimpson
It’s never too late, and quite frankly ignorance isn’t a lifetime condition. That was where the song ‘Amazing Grace’ came from, it was originally written by a southern Slave owner who saw the light and came around to the abolitionist movement.
Scott Redner
Gay sniper must have fired a warning shot, sometimes that’s all it takes, sometimes…
sfbeast
Just looking at him, I’d say next we’re going to hear he and his boyfriend are getting married.
Ronnie Faulds
What changed?
Bauhaus
@DCguy:
Religious text, for one. As long as I can remember, we’ve been viewed and portrayed as deviant, sinful, sexual creatures, and worse. SSM has accomplished more than equality, it has humanized us as well.
Billy Budd
I don’t believe him in one bit. He is a liar. He just wants to save his ass.
DCguy
@Bauhaus: True, except remember, Religious texts also attack women and have been used to attack Blacks (Especially during the Civil rights era and by the Mormons)
Bauhaus
@DCguy:
You’re right! Until we become a protected class and discrimination against us becomes uniformly illegal, this will continue to happen and the perpetrators will get away with it. SSM has been an incredible legal and social victory, but we have a lot more to accomplish.
John Malin
Well, ain’t that just too, too special for words!
AtticusBennett
well that’s what one has to do when they realize they’ve been contributing to a culture of prejudice and hate. not merely “apologize” for their hatred, but spend actual time in their lives to combat it, work to eradicate it from culture, and foster a better culture of understanding and inclusion.
i allow anyone the chance for redemption, and i hope this man does the right thing and works diligently to promote understanding and embracement of LGBT people.
Stefano
@Bauhaus: That’s why you need laws that included sexual orientation and gender identity like we have in Canada. In the Province of Québec, it is included in the “Charte des droits et libertés de la personne” as well.
Doug Coone
There is no shame in admitting you were wrong – no matter how long it takes.
joeyty
I don’t know him personally so don’t know if he’s sincere or not. I like to think he is. But, either way, anybody with a functioning intellect seems to change his stance on a number of issues throughout his lifetime.
Gary McGonigle
FOOL!
He BGB
Some of the greatest athletes have been gay and lesbian. So better be nice.
Sam D. Maloney
Fire the fucker.
LI Yonk
We should not take risk! how can anyone trust them they are killer?
Andrew Crump
Lil late
Martin Steele
Ironic
Michael Woods
He has seen the errors of his ways or hooked up with a guy and now he’s gay
Chris
Welllllll, I hesitate to believe that a leopard can change his spots completely and that quickly. I smell pressure from the Alumni Association and a desire to avoid a media backlash. I guarantee he’s still a homophobic bastard……just my opinion, of course.
Chris
Yeah, the more I think about it the more I believe this coach is full of it. He simply got called out on his bullshit and is back-peddling. There is nothing that would make me believe he’s suddenly and completely changed his redneck, homophobic opinions. What’s funny is that, from the looks of him, I know several “gay people”, myself included, who could snap his ass in half. We’re not all the shrinking violets he might imagine. What a dick (and that’s NOT a compliment).
Chris
@Billy Budd: Amen…..see my two comments on this very thought.
Chris
@DCguy: SOOOOOO many people seem to conveniently forget the argument you just made. I, for one, am effing sick of it.
Chris
@Brian JC Kneeland: hmmm, I’m wondering if in his deepest, darkest closet he’s opening his mouth for more than that? Just a question.
enlightenone
@Ben Stimpson: “…ignorance isn’t a lifetime condition…” But gullibility seems to be. A fews days DOESN’T change “condition!”
Your uneduated example was about decades toward change. Again, another case of false comparisons!
nmharleyrider
Where the hell has this guy been all of his adult life? Too little too late and I am sure this turnabout is a political thing. A man trying to hold onto his job when his ignorance has already done its damage.
Brian
PR stunt.
AzLights
Better late than never. And the way the hatred is being ramped up against the LGBT, it never hurts to have another ally.
Captain Obvious
@Ronnie Faulds: Payroll.
reallygoodthings
He seems sincere and that’s what matters. I say, everyone gets to make a mistake and have the opportunity to make amends, grow and end up being a better person. What more can we ask?
tonythompson
Part of the reason many people criticize others is to publicly express disdain or contempt for ideas or behavior of an individual(s). Another reason is also to express to the person(s) that what they’ve said is unacceptable. Implicit in that-for many people, though not all-is the hope that the individual(s) will listen to the criticism, apologize, and attempt to make amends. If the goal is for people to become kinder, more accepting, more tolerant, and more understanding, I think it behooves us to accept that people can change. I don’t mean simply accepting change at face value, but if, as this coach has done, someone apologizes *and* follows that apology up in a way that demonstrates they want to make amends, then I think it’s a good idea to accept that the person has learned their lesson. People are obviously free to write someone off based on whatever criteria they have (and there are some people whom I think deserve to be written off), but I think it’s a good idea to allow for people to change, grow, and become better people. Isn’t that part of what equality advocates want? A world that’s less discriminatory, less bigoted, and less oppressive? To get there, do we not need people to change their minds for the better?
tonythompson
@GC1985:
Could he not be genuine *and* want to save his reputation?
GC1985
@tonythompson: Stating the need to hurt or kill someone simply because who they are is a bit unforgivable in my book.
avesraggiana
Apart from the fact that he’s prematurely losing his hair, I WANNA HAVE HIS BABIES!!!
queermarek
My partner considered a job at Colorado Mesa, then declined after further looking into the school. While not specific to this story or coach necessarily, let’s just say the school atmosphere is not one that would make an openly gay couple want to consider working/living there. This may be a case of the coach’s supporters ‘circling the wagons” around him as he tries to save his job/repair the damage. I do believe people can sincerely change, but it takes a significant emotional event as a catalyst. This suggests more of a “save my ass from what my mouth just said” kind of situation.
DCguy
@reallygoodthings: stated :He seems sincere and that’s what matters. I say, everyone gets to make a mistake and have the opportunity to make amends, grow and end up being a better person.:
Except for the fact that his “Mistake” greatly effected the life of another person in a negative way. By your logic we could say that every boss gets one free pass on sexually harassing an employee. One police officer gets a free pass on beating up a suspect, one college student gets a free pass on a false rape allegation, and another college student gets a free pass on one rape??
I’m just saying that if this guy had made similar comments about women or minorities people wouldn’t be saying “Awwwww, he apologized, isn’t that sweet?”
Maude
Some of our own have been, and are guilty of much the same against those whom they don’t like….I don’t have to list the hate some in the LGBT community hold for persons of a different lifestyle than ours.
I think it would be a good thing if we began cleaning our own house before we demand others to clean theirs.
Stilinski26
Hes sexy
batesmotel
I know some don’t like that he’s suddenly coming around and trying to make amends. Yes, he is ignorant, but at least unlike so many fascist ignorant bullies out there, this guy is taking steps to evolve and be more accepting and embracing of people he doesn’t understand. Everyone is ignorant and negative about certain groups at one time or another. We know there are many gays out there who automatically bash Christians and all religions because they ‘assume’ that they’re all anti-gay, when that is not the case. They’re only hearing about the anti-gay ones from the media. The media will ONLY share the negative with you and not the good people in each group.