Amaechi Reacts To Hardaway Homo Harangue

By

amaechi.jpg
We’re sure you’re wondering what John Amaechi has to say about Tim Hardaway’s anti-gay admission. He tells The Miami Herald:

I’m actually tempted to laugh. Finally, someone who is honest. It is ridiculous, absurd, petty, bigoted and shows a lack of empathy that is gargantuan and unfathomable. But it is honest. And it illustrates the problem better than any of the fuzzy language other people have used so far.

Of course, he can’t laugh, because…well, they were pretty disgusting statements. Although, he’s right: it’s good to get all this out in the open and clear the air. Even if the air smells like a fifty year old locker room covering in a pile of horse shit. Which, really, is all Hardaway’s comments amount to.

So, what about these “fuzzy” statements. As we’re sure you’re aware, there are loads of players who have come out against the gays. Take, for example, Steven Hunter‘s astonishingly astonished reaction to Amaechi’s coming out:

For real? He’s gay for real? Nowadays it’s proven that people can live double lives. I watch a lot of TV, so I see a lot of sick perverted stuff about married men running around with gay guys and all types of foolishness.

Foolishness, indeed.

While Hunter’s comments may be a bit offensive – okay, a lot offensive – it provides the perfect answer to ESPN 2 reporter LZ Granderson’s mind-bogglingly stupid statement:

I am so over gay people. Specifically, John Amaechi… You know, the athlete who comes out after retiring, writes a tell-all, and then hears how courageous he is from straight columnists trying to appear ‘evolved’… I can’t help but wonder: When will somebody simply man up? That is, come out while he is still playing and finally demystify this whole gay athlete thing once and for all.

Probably not anytime soon, we’re sure.

One issue that comes up again and again in these comments is the issue of deception. You may recall LeBron James’ statement, “As teammates, you have to be trustworthy, and if you’re gay and you’re not admitting it that you are, you’re not trustworthy.” Well, Ray Allen takes it a little deeper:

You don’t want to know that there is somebody in your locker room and you are not aware of it. And maybe you had to be careful being where you put yourself in a situation where you might get hit on by a teammate. We are so close and we basically know so much about each other, I won’t say it is deception because each person has their personal life. But it is just one of those things you don’t want to have to find out from somebody else and feel like you have been deceived by family because this is a family right here.

It would be nice, we think, if people could start acting like a family, rather than a bunch of cavemen with balls and hoops.

Sure, we know not all basketball players have such barbaric reactions to Amaechi’s coming out, but unfortunately it’s the negative voices that seem to echo loudest, thus ensuring that young fans the world over will either go further into the closet or, even worse, stop playing the games they love. Good thing Amaechi’s out there trying to keep it real. And, we suppose, Hardaway, so that people know how real this shit can get.

Don't forget to share:

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Once Monthly Annually

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated