Me, gay? I have much respect for them, but I like women. I have four kids and I don’t even watch television. This is the first time I’ve heard this story. Still, I repeat, I have much respect for homosexuals, but I like women.”
— Manchester United footballer Anderson Luís de Abreu Oliveira answering an Italian journalist who asked— seemingly out of the blue — if he’s gay, during a press conference to announce his being loaned to Italian football club Fiorentina
H/t: Gay Star News
Lyceius
Very respectable answer. Its kinda sad he felt the need to reaffirm himself with the “I repeat”. Lately it seems there is a witch hunt twice a week because of some idiots remarks that even people that have no issues with us have to make sure they spell it out for fear of backlash.
I don’t really understand why he needed to be asked. We all came out when we decided to. Because it was right for us at the time. Its not going to be any different for anyone in the public eye.
Even if he was not straight he would choose to reveal such information when he felt comfortable and felt it was the right moment to do so. Its not going to happen during a press conference.
DShucking
Very dignified answer and I for one appreciate it. Pretty beyond the pale to bust out and ask him that question out in the open. The problem with asking is that the truth might be that he is and he’s not ready to address or admit it. Rude. Though, I don’t even know who he is.
Wingfield
@Lyceius: it’s not sad he felt the need to reaffirm, it’s sad that some journalist felt justified in asking him this. He gave a very respectable response and wanted to let it be known he’s straight… So don’t ask him again.
Lyceius
@Wingfield: I believe I also said something to the same effect.
KittyLitter
Wow. Talk about rude…
Christopher
There are always some in the media, for some inexplicable reason, who are always trying to “stir the pot”. He’s an athlete so why not keep the questions about the team and their opponent, not about who the guy sleeps with.
GeriHew
Maybe the journalist fancied him.
jimbryant
Just because you like women, it doesn’t mean you can’t also like men. These men speak as if it’s either/or.
Nevertheless, I think it’s rude to ask a man if he is gay like this. It kind of forces him to lie. Remember, there is still a ton of homophobia in Britain. British laws might be advanced but out there in society there is still a lot of hate for gays, especially from the Jamaican and Indian/Pakistani migrants.
Lestar
Yeah,,it’s sort of like South Africa…the laws are advanced, but homophobia is still raging.
Fitz
Why the hell did the “journalist” feel it was ok to ask this? What was the trigger? Just that he’s handsome? Such BS.. unless he was seen sneaking out of Steamworks after attending an anti-gay rally, I see no utility to asking every man this kind of thing. How dehumanizing. He managed it well.
jonjct
“why? do you think I’m hot”? do you have a boner for hot black athletes? c’mon, answer me, do you”?
Alan down in Florida
What kind of journalist didn’t know that his interview subject has 4 children before asking such an unnecessary question?
LivinITforaspell
Considering how many Italians feel about blacks, it was probably the nicest question the reporter could ask. This occurred a couple weeks ago: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/italy/140117/politician-blackface-buonanno-northern-league-Kyenge This occurred last year. http://atlantadailyworld.com/2013/07/29/cecile-kyenge-italy-s-first-black-minister-gets-bananas-thrown-at-her-during-rally/
Mezaien
Sorry guys, I am “not gay” I am HOMO.
Kangol
Sounds like the journalist was into him. I see why.