Ben Shapiro has a lot of opinions on Jason Collins and unfortunately someone asked him about them. That someone was right-wing master-baiter Piers Morgan, who invited the recently Bar Mitzvah’d conservative commentator to discuss those opinions, to the chagrin of studly actor Chris Evans.
Upon Jason Collins’ historic coming-out, Shapiro took to the Twitter to decry the calls of heroism being lauded at the NBA center — a popular trend among straight white men who never had to come out as anything (other than assholes) in their lives.
Morgan then took Shapiro to task for his insensitive comments, at which Shapiro accused the Brit of hating America by thinking that we’re all just a bunch of homophobes. Imagine that. After the segment aired, Chris Evans, who has a gay brother, tweeted this:
I genuinely dislike @benshapiro
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) May 3, 2013
Shapiro, flattered and perhaps a little moist from the attention, tweeted this in response:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
I don’t dislike @chrisevans. We can disagree on politics, agree that The Fantastic Four is a terrible movie, and still like each other.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) May 3, 2013
To which Chris responded:
And last time we checked, America: kind of homophobic. We’re not talking Uganda or anything, but since most LGBT people are still treated as second-class citizens, it’s pretty safe to say this isn’t a homosexual Xandau. You know, Canada.
jeff4justice
The coming out of Jason Collins is so uneventful to Ben Shapiro that he had to jump on TV to self-promote over it. Cute ; )
As effeminate as Ben Shapiro is and as much as he obsesses about homosexuality (The Homosexual Assault On Traditional Marriage http://www.creators.com/opinion/ben-shapiro/the-homosexual-assault-on-traditional-marriage.html) I doubt he’s hetero.
AndyB
To paraphrase the old adage, ” The squeaky wheel WANTS to get greased.” Those who cry the loudest , usually, have something to hide.
Dakotahgeo
Ben Shapiro shouldn’t be exterminated because he’s Jewish, but because, for the Jewish Holocaust history, he is extremely stupid and callous! What a dolt!
MacTX
The “tool” has a point. You have a grade C player who hasn’t had that great of a career, and been in the league since 2001 coming out in America, in 2013. He’s not a hero. The unknown office worker coming out to his homophobic boss is MORE of a hero (still isn’t a hero) than Jason Collins. Before his coming out, you’d be hard pressed to find people that knew who he was; his career wasn’t that spectacular. The whole country is now talking about and knows who he is. Our standard for hero has plummet since WW2.
Jason Collins coming out in Uganda (or any other place that sanctions and promotes killing or otherwise physical harm of gays) would be considered a hero but that’s not what happen. Here in America, if you’re a low grade athlete who comes out, you get kind words from the US President and well wishes from the zombie media and public.
We want others to threat us like any other person and not be second class citizens yet we STILL insist on having a parade every time someone comes out. Hypocrisy. The sad part is some of us don’t see it nor will admit it.
Little-Kiwi
@MacTX: Mac – post a video online of yourself that shows that you too are an Out and empowered gay man. If you don’t, you prove Shapiro and yourself wrong, and everyone else right.
After all, you’re not in Uganda so you have no reasons to be an excuse-giving coward. Right?
tookietookie
Omg, anything to do with Chris Evans, all I can think about is how hot Chris Evans is. Grrrowr.
Dakotahgeo
@MacTX: More TX termites come out of the woodwork… ugh!!!
Dakotahgeo
@Little-Kiwi: Kudos to you, Little Kiwi! Thanks!
Mr. E. Jones
@MacTX:
That’s a pretty little speech, Mac. Especially coming from an anonymous poster, who isn’t brave enough to use his real name on a public forum.
Little-Kiwi
it’s the same old same old from pathetic insecure Gay Conservatives. big boastful words, from a place of anonymity.
as always.
it’s no big deal to Come Out, eh? then why not put a face to who you are as a gay man like my liberal @ss does?
queerfrog
Shapiro’s a troll. He’s an attention-seeker. This is the guy who claimed that Chuck Hagel belonged to a non-existent group called “Friends of Hamas.” Yup. That whole discussion started with Shapiro’s article. Why the hell does he get any screen time? He should have been fined for libel. His only relevance is in proving that effeminate men can be straight.
There will always be prejudice against LGBT people, but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel due to people like Jason Collins. I do think he is a hero for coming out in the open in the sports atmosphere of oppression. There are tough roads ahead for him on many levels. He should be commended and respected for his bravery.
MacTX
@Little-Kiwi: A typical liberal, completely ignoring what’s being said and deflecting it with the “if you don’t, you’re wrong” line of argument. You should read Ben Shapiro’s book Bullies. He perfectly describes people like you. I’m actually a gay libertarian, btw, I don’t subscribe to the left/right paradigm.
@Dakotahgeo: thanks for the reply. I would have appreciated it more if it was actually something relevant to what I posted or added something to the conversation instead of just simple juvenile name calling.
@Mr. E. Jones: Thanks, I thought it was pretty too. As for the name and anonymity, you’re saying that you dismiss my thoughts and premise simply because you don’t know my name? that seems rather narrow minded. after all, you’ve probably read numerous books and literature where you have not meet or personally known the author; they’re just words from essentially anonymous individuals.
Dakotahgeo
@MacTX: Your loss, fella. You wanna criticize others without a good reason, you get slammed back! Actually, I do apologize… for belittling the termite(s)!
Little-Kiwi
@MacTX: ok, the put your face out there like Collins did as a “gay libertarian”
until you can put a face to yourself as an Out and empowered gay man, you prove liberals like me right, and insecure sack-less cowards like yourself and Shapiro to be utterly wrong.
after all, you don’t live in Uganda, do you? so why give excuses to not be Just As Out as…well…. the liberals your piece of s**t parents conditioned you to loathe?
every comment you make from a place of anonymity proves me right.
Little-Kiwi
whenever you read comments online from gay conservatives, they refuse to put a face to their claims. why? well, they insecure little wimps begging their mommies and daddies for tolerance.
you’re a strong empowered gay man who thinks it’s no biggie to come out in america? then prove it. if you don’t, sorry, you’re just one more wimp who uses the internet as a burqa.
Nikkidane
In many respects I agree with Ben Shapiro. I mean I can not believe that the media made so much out of this guy’s “coming out”. Jason Collins career is really almost over so he really has nothing to lose. Yes, I’m glad a professional athlete has “come out” and more should do so but it is a bit absurd that it garnered so much attention.
Little-Kiwi
but yes. i’m a typical liberal. a typical openly-gay liberal who refuses to be an anonymous wimp 😀
Little-Kiwi
@Nikkidane: put a face to your comments, too.
because you’re openly gay and the US isn’t remotely homophobic, so you have no excuse to comment on his being Out, anonymously…
right?
Dakotahgeo
@Little-Kiwi: Thank you, LK, but even the best-intentioned parents raise a delinquent who just doesn’t ‘fit in’ to a progressive society… or really, any society! There are a few wacko gays also… small amounts, but still wacko! My sympathies to the parents of MacTX!
Little-Kiwi
it’s just very simple. agree with Shapiro? don’t write why – SHOW why. face. name. video. YOU.
any comment made anonymously only proves the rest of us right. because if coming out wasn’t a big deal in america then the naysayers would be, you know, living a Visible Example. for any and all to see.
MacTX
@Dakotahgeo: My reasons were laid out in my post. your decision to ignore them isn’t my problem.
@Little-Kiwi: still sticking to that argument I guess. do you actually have a RELEVANT argument to what I posted, in that Ben Shapiro is right that Jason Collins isn’t a hero?
And thanks for proving Ben Shapiro right for me. I thought he was exaggerating a bit, I guess I was wrong and he wasn’t.
Little-Kiwi
it’s just very simple. if what you (and Shapiro) state is true, then you’ll be providing the URL that shows who you are as an Out and empowed Gay American.
and like all conservative gay cowards, you evade and give excuses not to. it’s ok.
you can’t do what Collins did. You can’t even do what *I* do, which is make my comments and statements from a place of Out visibility.
ok, maybe he’s not a Hero. instead he’s a perfectly ordinary human being who chooses to Come Out when the US is still so anti-gay that it still has ant-gay discrimination codified into law.
but what, then, does that make you? if being Out doesn’t make one a hero then what does that make a completely anonymous internet-complainer? not just a coward and a wimp, but a neutered sack of s**t.
but hey, keep posting anonymously and refusing to show yourself. it’s ok. if my parents hated me the way yours hate you i’d likely be sniveling coward, too 😀
so, gonna show yourself? no? didn’t think so. that, by the way, is the reason your parents don’t love you. not because you’re gay, but because you’re such a wimpy doormat about it 😀
Dakotahgeo
@MacTX: MacccccTX! You didn’t have a point worth making! You failed x number of times now. You are the main reason educational costs are rising. I’snt three years in Grade6 enough for you? Move on!
Little-Kiwi
or tell me why an Out and empowered gay man in America-not-Uganda refuses to put a face to his comments?
😀
i mean, we all know you won’t show yourself, because you’re a wimp, but it might be worth a giggle to hear the cowardice passing for logic that you use to give excuses to be a little coward 😀
Little-Kiwi
btw, folks, this is what you’ll always read if you come online to read gay stories: conservative gays making boastful claims from a place of anonymity. why anonymity? because they’re wimps. also, they know they’re full of s**t. if they believed what they typed they’d put a face to their comments. and Live by Example. but they never do.
same goes for the “i hate effeminate gay men!” comments. always from anonymous faceless cowards.
so, young’uns – take solace. when you Come Out and enter into the real world, you’ll never have to deal with these pathetic gay conservative types. why? they’re not man enough to live in the real gay world. so dont’ worry, the internet and anonymity is all they have to hold onto. 😀
Dakotahgeo
@Little-Kiwi: Howdy! and thanks again, LK! I think we overlook one important fact. I am a Gay ordained minister in the Baptist church (I took care of THAT faux pas the day I retired!). I am older now and I rejoice in knowing that the dying breed of fanatic social conservatives are dying off, not fast enough, bless their hearts, but dying off just the same. Second, I read at least five different denominations’ magazines, e-notes, communicative e-mails… daily. And surprise of surprises, very, very few people are even listening to the church anymore, not just because of their warped theology, but their arrogance and hatred. These two things alone are going to topple them! Then we have the reality that with Delaware, there will be 11 states to pass SSMarriage, with at least 2 or 3 out of another four states waiting in the wings to ratify. Now, in order to ratify a US Constitutional Amendment to ban SS Marriage, the government needs 2/3 of the states to ratify. When the states reach 15 states with GLBT marriage, that automatically makes such a move null and void. When I went back to college in 1974 to upgrade my education, I/we/the student body, had never even heard of the term, “gay marriage,” and the Stonewall Riots were just a swiggle on the media seismograph. I’ve seen more change in 39 years, and now in the last 13 years, that I ever thought possible. I believe change will not only come sooner in the future, but easier, whether one is Republican, TPod, Democrat, Libertarian, Green Party, et al, ad nauseum! I’m just happy for those who are now free to be who God has intended them to be,and may they prosper well on this earth.
GLBTIQ people… God loves you and so do I!
George M Melby, M.Div. Pastor/Hospital/Hospice Chaplain (aka Dakotahgeo!) 😉
Mr. E. Jones
@MacTX:
As for the name and anonymity, you’re saying that you dismiss my thoughts and premise simply because you don’t know my name?
No. I dismiss your opinion because you’re pontificating on the importance of being out, while hiding behind an anonymous user ID.
that seems rather narrow minded.
Pot, this is kettle. Kettle, this is pot.
after all, you’ve probably read numerous books and literature where you have not meet or personally known the author they’re just words from essentially anonymous individuals.
Unlike you, those authors weren’t afraid to put their name on their words.
Little-Kiwi
WERK!!!!!
Little-Kiwi
@Mr. E. Jones: closeted gay conservatives will spend more time giving excuses to be closeted than expending any effort to do what liberals like me do which is, you know, LIVE OUT LOUD.
Mr. E. Jones
@Little-Kiwi:
whenever you read comments online from gay conservatives, they refuse to put a face to their claims.
The only time we see the faces of homocons, is when they get arrested for lewd behavior in a public toilet.
Mr. E. Jones
@Nikkidane:
Thank you for repeating what MacTX wrote. That was very helpful
beecherman
Wow…who would want to spend any time with a d&^c$e bag like this. Someone needs to tell him to take his meds down a notch or two…
Kieran
Little Ben Shapiro must have his head up his ass if he doesn’t realize America is very much a homophobic country. Yes, we’ve made some progress recently, but we still have a tremendous amount of work to do to eradicate the homophobia from American life. Case in point, look at some of the most prominent radio talk shows airing on corporate media….Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage, Mark Levin, etc. If these opinion makers encouraged the kind of hatred and malice towards Jews as they do towards gay people they’d be denounced and their shows canceled.
Little-Kiwi
well, the reason that Shapiro made those comments is because that’s the only way that a wimpy Jewish boy can be accepted by the largely anti-Semitic GOP. the Party of Jeebus freaks. by regurgitating the GOP’s intellectually dishonest talking points against LGBT people, he buys himself one more day of pithy tolerance from them.
he’s pathetic. but he’ll die. so it’s ok.
Jared Suzume
@Little-Kiwi: I love how you simply got on-line, gathered the children and got their acts the F*** together. MUCH LOVE
balehead
He’s right in a small way…coming out is not a “talent”….
Dakotahgeo
@Mr. E. Jones: LOLOL. Mr. Jones, thank you for your “homocons” ‘terminology,’ :-). Back in 1991, I was considering becoming a minister in the United Methodist church (I will not mention the city, state, or Conference… they’re still fuming over this faux pas!). I was a student intern, not yet in Seminary, and the church then was extremely homophobic in the 90s, much more so than today. As I was prepared for my meeting with my mentor, I walked into the Conference Office, happily said “Gooooooood Morning…….,”… you could have heard a pin drop on the carpet. My mentor bid me into his office, and as I walked by the District Superintendent’s office, I thought they were remodeling! There was nothing in the room except for a desk and chair. I inquired, ” What the heck…?” Mentor sat me down and said,”Mmmmmmm, WE have a bit of a problem!.” I said, “What do you mean, WE, Kimo Sabe?” It so happened that said District Superintendent was ARRESTED Friday night in a local park… for trying to pick up an undercover (I presume CUTE… let’s show some class, right?) police officer!
Needless to say, Saturday and Sunday were spent by the office staff cleaning out his office.
That sort of squelched any plans I ever had to be a Methodist minister, just based on the hypocrisy of the entire affair. So yes, one meets the strangest situations in public bathrooms and local parks. This is just ONE incident in the life of a minister. I could write a book, but it would be heavily redacted!
MacTX
@Little-Kiwi: Jason Collins is a public figure, I am not and trying to argue that I need to give up my anonymity or else I’m wrong in my position isn’t even a good argument. I do value my anonymity even though you may not yours. Don’t even bother going to the… if you don’t have anything to hide, why hide… argument. It’s just another circular argument. You may choose to live in a glass house but most people would rather not, not because they have something to hide but they value their privacy.
Jason Collins isn’t a hero. A hero would have come out at the beginning of his career instead of at the end. It’s not my problem that your criteria and measure of a hero is far lower than mine. Your entire response since the beginning (your initial and subsequent replies to me) have been predicated on deflection, intimidation, borderline name calling and circular arguments. Are you so consumed with anger at the world that you are not able to hold civil discussions? Is that what was sacrificed to be open, visible, and empowered? if being empowered turns me into you, I’ll pass.
@Dakotahgeo: you may choose to play in the dirt but I won’t stoop to your level (little kiwi is almost there though so you’ll have some company).
@Mr. E. Jones:
I don’t know what your specific situation was but for those of us who really didn’t have a negative experience, it really isn’t an issue. When I came out to my family and friends, it was almost a non-issue. Having a gay sister probably contributed to that though. There wasn’t any coming out parties thrown nor did I make the front page news and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Coming out isn’t as important as people make it out to be and the insistence of making it front page news every time it happens is a circular situation as well as counter intuitive to the goal of making everyone equal. You can’t expect fanfare and pompous while at the same time want the other side to see you as equal. If the intend was to wipe out homophobia, that’s certainly not going to do it.
how original of a response.
They are still anonymous as their name is only a mark of their collected works. You don’t know them and I’m guessing you still valued their thoughts.
jar
@MacTX: Since you’re such a fan of Ben Shapiro, you should be aware that he called each of the following a “hero”: Ted Cruz, Newt Gingrich, Adam Carolla, Hugh Hewitt, Josh Mandel, Allen West, and Mark Levine (a fucking radio host!). This demonstrates the mendacity of Shapiro. He can devalue the term hero, but let someone use the term to identify an individual against whom he bears resentment (or envy?) and those others are devaluing the term.
I assume in light of this evidence, you would have a change of heart, no?
jar
@MacTX: You said: how original of a response.
They are still anonymous as their name is only a mark of their collected works. You don’t know them and I’m guessing you still valued their thoughts.
Nothing more was asked of you. Your response makes no sense. An author typically includes a photo and, of course, his/her name. The commenters who challenged you did not ask for a resume or personal information. With this comment, you actually make their point. Do you require some heroism to stand up publicly? You comment indicates, yes.
Mr. E. Jones
@MacTX:
There wasn’t any coming out parties thrown nor did I make the front page news
Who threw Jason Collins a party? As for your not getting any front page coverage–you’re not a pro athlete, nor one who came out during his career. I’m sure if you were someone important, we’d care. But since you’re just Mac, like those of us reading your comments, we’re pretty much unimpressed with you.
Your coming out hasn’t been noteworthy to anyone, which is what you sought. So why are you making a big deal about Mr. Collins coming out? One could read a modicum of resentfulness in your words here.
You can’t expect fanfare and pompous
I think the word you’re searching for is “pomp,” which Jason Collins did not seek out. Pompous, is what you are Mac.
They are still anonymous as their name is only a mark of their collected works.
And once again, those authors put their names to their words. Something you haven’t the balls to attempt.
You don’t know them and I’m guessing you still valued their thoughts.
And since I don’t know you, why would you think your words matter to me, or that I value your thoughts? Please don’t confuse courtesy with marvel.
the other Greg
@MacTX: “Circular arguments”? You say Jason Collins is a public figure and you are not. True enough.
Then you say “for those of us who really didn’t have a negative experience [coming out], it really isn’t an issue. When I came out to my family and friends, it was almost a non-issue.” Well… so? That’s family and friends – not the public, some of whom are sending Collins death threats now.
You really should be posting on the nearby Queerty story, “Jason Collins Tells Oprah About Coming Out To His Parents”!
Then maybe you can tell Oprah about coming out to your parents.
2eo
@MacTX: MacTX also spends his time posting as Brian. Usually they compliment each other, as there is quite literally no other person who would compliment him.
Caliban
If coming out as gay is so easy for male professional sports athletes then why have so very few done it, and why did most of those who have wait until they were retired? If America is so non-homophobic why are there so many anti-gay hate crimes and why do we have such an ongoing problem with gay youth (particularly male) suicide that we’re still scrambling for ways to reach those kids and having to fight school districts to implement them?
Shapiro, Broussard, and many other religion-obsessed shit-weasels have demonstrated admirably why he is the first modern player of one of the “major” team sports to come out as gay while still playing. What he did is courageous and I think he *will* become a hero to many, leading to other players coming out, some of them players just starting their professional careers. Several articles about Collins’ revelation have noted that there are talented high school and college players who are out and this will only help open doors for them.
It’s tremendously helpful that Jason Collins and his family are clearly smart, thoughtful, and articulate. It also speaks well for Jason that even though it took him a while to come to terms with his sexuality it seems to have been his intention from the beginning to come out publicly. That he came out to his family less than a year ago and is already going public speaks, I think, to his basic honesty.
MacTX
@jar:
I never said I was a fan but that he had a point, please don’t put words into my mouth and assume things. I don’t agree with all of Ben Shapiro’s view points but I do respect his opinions because he is able to intellectually argue and defend his view points which is such a rare thing these days.
most non fiction literature don’t contain author portraits so do you discount their content because of that? Do you respect them less than the fiction/biographies which usually do contain photos?
The reason why it’s a circular argument (and a deflection) is that little kiwi (and Dakotahgeo as well) completely ignores the subject at hand (the question of whether or not Jason Collins is a hero for coming out) but instead attacks me personally to try to make an irrelevant point; which is usually the sign of a weak case or argument.
“Do you require some heroism to stand up publicly?”
I believe you’re confusing heroism and bravery. What he did was brave, not heroic. A firefighter running into a burning building to try and rescue someone on the second floor even though he’s aware he might not make it if he does is a hero. An average to mediocre pro basketball player near the end of his career coming out publicly in 2013 isn’t a hero in my book. It’s good business sense though, look at all the press he’s getting.
@Mr. E. Jones:
the media, US president, you, half of America. it’s like you’re all sitting around the bonfire singing his praise and telling him he’s such a hero for doing what he did.
the resent and disdain you’re sensing is from all the people who insist on saying I’m wrong for my views and failing to tell me why they think so. it gets old real quick. I hope you’re not putting yourself on a pedestal, you replied to me after all.
@the other Greg:
add that to the pile of death threats famous people get.
there’s a point somewhere in there but I’m just not getting it, could you elaborate?
now be honest, before the coming out hit the news, did you know (or even cared) who Jason Collins was? (this question is also open to anyone who reads this).
MacTX
@2eo: Nice to see you too. I see you still don’t have anything relevant or meaningful to add to your replies. By your criteria, the people I’ve been responding to is actually 1 person; it wouldn’t surprise me if it was but I’m guessing there’s at least 2 different people out of the 5 names.
the other Greg
@MacTX: Yeah, I already knew who Jason Collins was because he was a Celtic recently. I never heard of Ben Shapiro before today, though. (Queerty is always telling me about celebrities I never heard of!) What’s your point?
Mr. E. Jones
@MacTX:
the media, US president, you, half of America. it’s like you’re all sitting around the bonfire singing his praise and telling him he’s such a hero for doing what he did.
Could you show us where Jason Collins requested all this adulation? Admittedly all I know about this is what I’ve read on a couple of gay blogs. But I didn’t read anything indicating Jason Collins demands round the clock praise. I’m fairly certain all the people praising him are doing so on their own.
the resent and disdain you’re sensing is from all the people who insist on saying I’m wrong for my views and failing to tell me why they think so.
I’m pretty sure I’ve read numerous replies telling you why you’re wrong. You’ve simply chosen to ignore those thoughts, and dig in our heels. But you know what they say about digging; and stopping.
it gets old real quick.
Maybe you really wanted a lot of fanfare when you came out, and because you didn’t get it, you’re pissy now that Jason Collins is getting it.
I hope you’re not putting yourself on a pedestal, you replied to me after all.
I didn’t put myself on a pedestal; society put me there. And rightfully so.
JAW
I congratulate Jason for coming out… I can see that many would see him as a hero… while others would not… we all have who we see as OUR hero…
If Jason had come out at age 24 and not 34 I would see him as a bigger Hero…
On some of the other Gay blogs people have mentioned that he had a “beard” (girlfriend) for 8 years… He waited until he would not be in the locker room his season was over… he waited until he was a free agent, and he might not ever play again if he is not picked up… Since he is a free agent, he had nothing to lose, he could even be picked up so a team could show how gay friendly they are.
Again I congratulate Jason… it took balls, no matter what… Boston wants to honor him as their Pride Parade Grand Marshall… I would rather see the Gay Police Officer who ran toward, and not away from the bombed people at the Boston Marathon… He is much more of a hero in my eyes.
Derek Williams
On a superficial level, Ben Shapiro makes valid points, but he completely fails to understand the potential consequences for a gay person in hetero-normative sport, and we’ve already seen negative commentary from the likes of Bryan Fischer, Charles Broussard, and online chat rooms bristling with religious hatred. We still don’t know whether Collins can continue have a career.
America is overwhelmingly religious, and we all know that religon is the scourge of the homosexual. As a Jewish man, Shapiro should know better than anyone the threat to person and property that is posed by discrimination and hate.
Collins is in every sense a hero. He didn’t have to come out, but what he did will save the lives of countless teenagers dealing with suicidal thoughts when confronted by parental rejection, ostracism from their peers, condemnation by their church, and disinterest from their schools.
It also puts a sizeable dent in the long held stereotype that gay men are too weak to play masculine sports like Basketball.
Dakotahgeo
@Mr. E. Jones: IIIIIIIIII thought so!
Dakotahgeo
@Mr. E. Jones: “And since I don’t know you, why would you think your words matter to me, or that I value your thoughts? Please don’t confuse courtesy with marvel.” Another word that fits well for MacTX instead of “marvel” would be “pity.” I’ve seen plenty of yahoos on these blogs who are pretty pitiful… to the point that most people pity them. Ain’t THAT a pity?!
MacTX
@the other Greg: to find out if there’s actually any true Jason Collins fans here or is this just a jump on the band wagon to support the newest out gay phenomenon. I’m not a fan of band wagons if you haven’t guessed.
@Mr. E. Jones:
Could you show us where Jason Collins requested all this adulation?
That’s not even a relevant question since I never made such a statement. Was there another point for you asking that question? If you actually read and comprehend my original post, my assertion was that in my view Jason Collins wasn’t deserving of the title “hero” that some of us has bestowed upon him. It’s an insult to the real heroes out there.
I’m pretty sure I’ve read numerous replies telling you why you’re wrong. You’ve simply chosen to ignore those thoughts, and dig in our heels. But you know what they say about digging; and stopping.
you probably need to read it again but check that pitchfork at the door first. I hope you’re not referring to the attempt at attacking my character to take the spotlight from the subject. going down that rabbit hole doesn’t get us anywhere and further makes me question the number of people I’m actually talking to.
Maybe you really wanted a lot of fanfare when you came out, and because you didn’t get it, you’re pissy now that Jason Collins is getting it.
Actually, if I had a choice, no one should need to “come out.” unfortunately we still have people who insist on making a spectacle out of it.
I didn’t put myself on a pedestal; society put me there. And rightfully so.
your debate material would suggest otherwise.
@Caliban:
If coming out as gay is so easy for male professional sports athletes then why have so very few done it, and why did most of those who have wait until they were retired?
Short answer, money.
RSun
I congratulate and praise anyone who has the guts to come out and be open and honest to the world…especially some one in the public eye. If his recent outing helps just one gay kid struggling with his identity then…yes…he’s a hero.
JamesY
A perfect trifecta….. the fact Chris Evans outspokenness continued to make a re-buttal statement to defend gay rights further, …..happens to looks like that…..AND used Olivia Newton-John’s “Xanadu” as a nirvana reference in a sentence to quote…..color me a new Captain America fan.
Dakotahgeo
Thank God… I’m finally through all the comments’ section. MacTX, thank you! You’ve finally made me tired enough to go to bed… and THAT’s hard to do. Only tedious, ad nauseam, empty remarks do that to me. Kudos… you’ve found your niche! Boa Noite/Buenas Noches/ and for the USA… Good Night, Chet… Good Night, David!
Avenger
I just became a fan of Ben Shapiro.
Brian
The bottom line is that Ben Shapiro is a religious person who opposes full civil rights for gays. As such, he’s the enemy.
the other Greg
@JamesY: Actually Queerty misspells it “Xandau,” which makes it sound like a neighborhood in Berlin (near Spandau?).
Stevenw
Urgh. Damnit Piers, don’t you *dare* start giving yourself redeeming features.
I don’t think I could ever survive saying ‘Piers Morgan isn’t totally evil’ – reworking the number of neural connections that would allow me to say it…. it would take energy that shouldn’t be wasted on that little piece of rat’s piss.
the other Greg
Attention, gay people everywhere! Mac in Texas came out to his “family and friends” and it was “a non-issue,” so therefore it will be easy for you too!
Just “don’t make a spectacle” of yourself and everything will be fine!
What this has to do with a public figure coming out to the public is anybody’s guess, but I think it’s notable that Mac has found such a solipsistic way to solve that little coming out problem that has been bothering everyone for so long.
Obviously, nobody from now on ever needs to worry about coming out anymore, because Mac has done it! So it’s been done. And it was boring. Or something.
And of course, Mac asserts that Jason Collins did his coming-out spectacle to the public for the money. Yet Mac explains to Caliban (#53) that the reason so few did it earlier was… money! (“short answer… money.”)
Spectacle? Sounds like Mac is not a big fan of Halloween or Oscar night – or gay pride events, needless to say – but has he never been to a rodeo? Spectacle is in the eye of the beholder. Mac is doing it here and it’s quite a sight, like the circus. And he’s doing it for free!
Lefty
Fantastic Four is an excellent film. You have to have a sense of humor to appreciate it, so I guess that’s where Shapiro got confused.
Captain America was ace, too; and The Avengers, of course.
This dude’s homophobic attention-seeking is bad enough, but disparaging Evans’ superhero movies???
Twit.
JamesY
@the other Greg: Still, Chris Evans to use his celebrity to risk commenting is the equivalent of having what seems like the most handsome jock in school think to be out and open plenty cool to be either gay or straight to endorse you as a friend to feel you belong. If we lived IN A PLACE WHERE NOBODY DARED TO GO and behave otherwise, it would not feel so important and MAGICal….like a superhero just kissed a closeted gay man on the cheek to say, I don’t care, I like you…we can be friends regardless. Until the GLBT community can have full equality including words like ‘Marriage’ there will always be little safe corners for bigotry to find and call out such sanctions as proof they are justified to hatred and desire to oppress.
Little-Kiwi
@MacTX: Thank You, for proving me right. You’re a sackless coward and will give excuses to continue to be a coward because wimps like you can only say what you say from a place of anonymity.
Because you “value your privacy”.
So, to all the young(er) people who may be reading this article, who read the pathetic words coming from the closeted-and-anonymous adults downplaying the significance of Coming Out – note how the guys who dismiss what Collins has done aren’t man enough to put a face to their comments
Thats why they’re angry. They’re not actually Out.
Will Mac in Texas make a video of his awesome family, and put it online for all to see in hopes of making things better for other people? No. Why? He’s LYING.
That’s what conservative gays do. Lie. Because in truth he’s just a little wimpy baby still sucking up to the mommy and daddy who resent calling him son.
But don’t worry – there are plenty of other people out there who , with their families, will work hard to give a visible face to who we are as gay people, and what our families can do to support us.
click on my name to see a few dozen.
and keep coming back to Queerty to see piece of s**t cowards like MacinTX lie lie lie and boast from a place of anonymity, all because in their actual lives they’re not even tolerated by the conservative scum they call family.
coming out is important. it’s a massive big deal. and those that dismiss it, are closeted and don’t want to admit it.
MacTX
@Stevenw:
He’s not evil, he just knows how to exploit current events and make money off it.
@the other Greg:
Is everyone here just incapable of intelligent conversation? My issue with the story is people following that bandwagon with very little clue why they’re doing it or simply doing it out of their emotional attachment for the subject; they’re gay, someone in the public sphere comes out so now they feel special. If you need that to feel special about yourself, you have my sympathies, you must have had a difficult life and see the world as an evil and mean place. I didn’t, so I don’t. The world is a beautiful place that you can make whatever you want despite what you’ve gone through and how it has treated you.
And of course, Mac asserts that Jason Collins did his coming-out spectacle to the public for the money. Yet Mac explains to Caliban (#53) that the reason so few did it earlier was… money! (“short answer… money.”)
Actually, the media are the ones making his coming out a spectacle. Being a Z list celebrity, it wouldn’t have made a splash if the entirety of the media wasn’t covering it like it’s some ground breaking end of the world level event. Money is also probably one of the reason why Jason Collins didn’t come out in 2000. His other reasons, only he knows. The gay rights movement wasn’t as strong back then and people weren’t as accepting as they are now, in 2013. It is probable that Jason Collins would not have gotten a job and gotten into the league had he come out in 2000. People forget that he came out at pretty much the end of his unspectacular career, by NBA standards.
Spectacle? Sounds like Mac is not a big fan of Halloween or Oscar night – or gay pride events, needless to say – but has he never been to a rodeo? Spectacle is in the eye of the beholder. Mac is doing it here and it’s quite a sight, like the circus. And he’s doing it for free!
Love Halloween, could care less for Oscar night (I don’t watch TV), and gay pride used to be fun when I was younger. Now I just see it for what it is, a bunch of gay people using it as an excuse to come together to drink and feel like they’re special and not a victim of the world and to shout to everyone within ear/eye shot that they want to be treated like everyone else yet still feel like they need to do this and tell that same audience that they’re special. Sounds like a mixed message to me.
@Little-Kiwi:
Thank you for proving to me you’re an idiot and I’m wasting my time with you by sticking to that same circular argument and sticking to personal attacks and ignoring the subject.
In case you’re not intelligent enough to understand, here’s a more simplified version of your argument. Lets pretend you’re a defense attorney and your client is up for murder and the prosecutor has just read his opening statement. You, as the lead defense attorney obviously don’t agree with anything the prosecutor has said but don’t have anything to rebuttal with so instead you call the prosecutor a faggot and tells the court room that if he doesn’t prove to you (and the rest of the court room) that he’s not a faggot, his entire statement is wrong.
To everyone reading this, Little-Kiwi is an example of a BULLY. Someone who was probably bullied all his life so he feels he needs to go around as an adult and bully others whose view point is not parallel with his own. The unfortunate part is, he’s probably not aware or think that he’s a bully. You know what my standard for a hero is, I’ve given an example above. Do I meet my own standard for a hero? Probably not, which is why I’m not a firefighter.
Surg
It’s a time like these when people like Ben Shapiro have to get out and promote their peanut sized brains and what they hold. They see the opportunity to bash and get airtime; they take it.
scotshot
To debate a log cabin republican type is worthless. You’re going to change his mind as much as he’s going to change yours. It’s best to leave the room and let them rant at the walls.
J.R
As I was finishing typing a paper for finals I noticed this story. Being the reality show junky I am I like a little drama and so I decided to read all the comments. After reflecting on what the lone MacTX has said and also what little kiwi and the others have said I think there can be an medium achieved. Neither has to agree or read but I created this profile 20 seconds ago with the sole purpose of expressing what’s on my mind right now, and I’ll probably never use it again haha. I think Collins is a hero to me personally because I am a 19 year old black college male struggling to come out. Unless you are the same you can’t comprehend what it is like to be a young gay/bi male in the black community just like a child born with no parent cannot fully grasp what it means to have a mother. Young gay/bi black peps don’t have nearly as many gay role models such as young white males to look up to. I don’t mean to make this an issue of race but I believe it to be an important facet to consider. When I read that a gay black basketball player came out and his reason, something along the lines life being too short (referring to the Boston bombing) it resonated with me. At any given moment something could happen to me and I would cease to exist. Life moves too fast and the world is so unforgiving it refuses to stop for anyone. So why do I spend so much time hiding? Collins helped me learn that and he helped me tell my parents and my best friend who all still love me just the same. That’s what makes him a hero. I use race as a means to explain that I can identify with Collins and so can many others but when we pull that magnifying glass back we can see that a man has helped a young man accept himself and breath a little easier. Isn’t that a hero? Growing up bisexual in the very conservative oklahoma is hard but not impossible. Now I will say that the timing of his coming out was not ideal. It’s actually a little sketchy. I mean why now? But we all do things we cannot always explain. I can actually understand that but I am not condoning or condemning anyone’s view. In essence what I’m trying to say is that Collins is something of a hero. Does he deserve all the media attention he has received? I dunno but things always blow over eventually no matter what. But what’s important is that he helped me be able to identify with someone like me and accept myself and on a grander scale is a NBA player that took a risk on everything and put himself out there. I can see what MacTX is saying and it makes sense. I don’t plan to change anyone’s mind but I just wanted to put my 2 cents in this already full jar of opinions. I hope what I say makes sense, it’s finals and I have been writing many papers so my mind is a little scattered ha. 1 more week and I’m outta here!
zrocqs
This post is for everyone but@MacTX: you needn’t respond to this man. It would be better if you didn’t. I hope this assertion will be evident by the end of my post.
He quite obviously craves interaction with those of us in “the gay community”, as his frequenting of this site named Queerty demonstrates. But he can’t seek it personally. To do so would contradict his assertions that there are no real Queer issues; all will be well as long as you’re willing to live an anonymous, unremarkable life. And despite his assertions to the contrary, Jason Collins’ experiences and coming out *are* remarkable (as in “worthy of note.”)
He claims that as a Libertarian he doesn’t “subscribe to the left/right paradigm.” That is complete bullshit. Actual Libertarians are fiscally “right” and socially “left”. So actual Libertarians embrace the left/right paradigm, as does anyone who asserts any political affilitation.
MacTX is going to feel an intense need to respond to my post, and almost certainly will. He will chastise me for not specifically addressing his assertions, even though I’ve specifically addressed some of them. If he responds, he may specify those issues I’ve not addressed as a demonstration of my intellectual failure. He may refer to my post as “psychobabble”, or some equivalent.
If everyone would disregard his posts and not respond, his need for interaction would remain unfulfilled, and he would eventually forego posting on this site. He will continue posting elsewhere though. (Talk about circular.)
To @MacTX: if I’ve actually failed to make a coherent point, please correct me. I am interested in anything that will improve my processes.
Derek Williams
@J.R: Yours is the sweetest and humblest post to this whole thread, and it brought a tear to my eye. I wish you every success in your chosen career and future relationship, with whomever that may be.
“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.”
Dakotahgeo
@J.R: J.R, You are most clear in your assertions in your comments to me. You so right when you say no one can know what a person goes through unless they walk in the very same shoes/situations that the other person has encountered. Good Lord, Oklahoma?? You poor guy! Absolute best wishes to you.. you will be a great success in the outside world.
Dakotahgeo, M.Div. Pastor/Chaplain
@zrocqs: You’ve are spot on the mark regarding TXMac. Every normal person who has attempted to humor this guy through basic, educated statements has given up and we now merely accept him as cheap entertainment with our afternoon and/or evening tea or coffee. And you are right. He suffers from terminal oral diarrhea! It’s to pity him… there is no cure!
Dakotahgeo
@Derek Williams: A M E N! Pastor Dak!
MacTX
@J.R:
You are one of the few that have actually read AND understood my comments.
Now I will say that the timing of his coming out was not ideal. It’s actually a little sketchy. I mean why now?
Career wise, I thought his timing was brilliant. He’s near the end of his career and really didn’t have much to lose.
@zrocqs:
To @MacTX: if I’ve actually failed to make a coherent point, please correct me. I am interested in anything that will improve my processes.
To be honest, I found much of it self serving and unimpressive. The only goal of your essay was to discredit me using mostly your personal opinions and preconceived prejudice. You made a brief attempt to go the factual route but unsurprisingly failed after injecting your own bias opinion into the mix and trying to pass it off as something factual. If this is a sample of your work, you should ask for a refund from the higher learning institution you attended.
My rejection of the left/right paradigm is a rejection of their overall approach and continued battle with each other; I don’t consider myself on the liberal or conservative side but can respect their positions. The Libertarianism FAQ (should be the first link in Google) is a far better read if you were curious about libertarianism as your current understanding share similarities to the article on Wikipedia; your view of all libertarians shares a remarkable similarity to the “Modern American libertarianism” section. Your view is to place liberals, conservatives, and libertarians in their own separate circles when in reality they are connected in more of a Venn diagram type arrangement. One size fits all and mutually exclusive is rarely the case when it comes to politics.
@Dakotahgeo:
You so right when you say no one can know what a person goes through unless they walk in the very same shoes/situations that the other person has encountered.
I found that comment rather comical considering your past comments towards me. You agreed that one cannot know (and in turn judge) another as they have not walked in their shoes, yet you proceed to judge me on my views having not walked in my shoes.
From Merriam-Webster:
hypocrite
1. a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion
2. a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings
Little-Kiwi
MacinTX – it’s not my fault you’re a complete wimp, nor is it my fault that your own piece of s**t parents hate having you for a son.
you could very easily prove me wrong, and prove your own statements to be true, by putting a face to your comments, because this isn’t Uganda, and you’re a strong empowered gay man who can put a Face to What Gay Is.
But you don’t. And then you type long-winded and pathetic excuses for your cowardice.
So, thanks!
You prove me right, every time your cowardly @ss makes a post from a place of anonymity.
I’m not the Bully, Mac. the bullies are the anti-gay people in your own life who you’re still terrified of shaming with your public gayness. that’s why you can’t put a face to your comments. not because you’re so strong and manly standing up to Bully Kiwi online – but because your family and community are bullying sacks of s**t and you don’t wanna rock the boat by being too Publicly Gay.
so get it right. 😀
unless, your point is that Collins is perfectly average, not a hero, and that guys like you are utterly subpar. I could see that. That Collins is just doing what everyone should do, to be seen as Average, and since you do even less it makes you the scum at the bottom of your mom’s jizz-bucket 😀
Little-Kiwi
i will thank you gay conservatives, however, for showing so clearly why it is that you little wimps aren’t accepted by your own political affiliates or families – you give excuses for cowardice rather than use that energy to stand up and do the right thing.
until you can put yourself Out there in the same was as Collins, you need to thank him. because he’s doing what you won’t do.
the other Greg
@J.R: Thanks for reminding us what this story is REALLY about!
@MacTX: “My issue with the story is people following that bandwagon with very little clue why they’re doing it or simply doing it out of their emotional attachment for the subject; they’re gay, someone in the public sphere comes out so now they feel special.”
So what? What’s so bad about that? Seriously, THAT’S your objection? So trivial. Why go on & on about it?
But as we see with JR’s story – Collins’ coming out DOES resonate at a personal level with some, mostly younger people. It will inspire some people in difficult situations to come out. Why is it so important to you to piss on that parade?
You seem offended – or incredulous? – that some people still have a difficult time coming out, or live in situations where it’s difficult or dangerous to be gay at all. (And you live in Texas? Perhaps you don’t get out much.) Why does this simple FACT annoy you so much, especially since by your own admission it has nothing to do with you?
Okay, THEY are in difficult situations, and you were not. So what?
“you must have had a difficult life and see the world as an evil and mean place. I didn’t, so I don’t.” Your solipsism is confusing your view of reality. I’m fully aware that my difficult past (and yes, my sincere belief that the world is generally “an evil and mean place”) fortunately doesn’t mean that EVERY gay person’s life sucks and always will. Self-reference doesn’t define the world. You might try doing the same thing! So what if things have been easy for you? Not every gay person has had a charmed life like you, with sunshine and bluebirds following you around. So what? It’s not relevant to anyone else’s experience. Look at JR, who you claim to agree with.
@Little-Kiwi: “unless, your point is that Collins is perfectly average, not a hero, and that guys like you are utterly subpar. I could see that.”
Actually, that DOES appear to be his point!
Little-Kiwi
@the other Greg: right?
“he’s not a hero! he’s just average! and gays like me are below average!”
well, isn’t that special 😀
AxelDC
Why is America perceived as homophobic?
Oh, I dunno, maybe DOMA? Republicans refuse to pass a simple ENDA bill protecting gays for getting fired just for being gay. Without ENDA, the NBA can can Collins simply by stating, “We don’t hire gays” and that is completely legal in most US states and according to the Federal government.
Has Shapiro forgotten that it is only 10 years ago that gay sex was illegal in most US states? Lawrence v. Texas was 2003, not 1983. Even this year, VA AG Ken Cucinelli tried to defend VA’s sodomy laws in court, and he may well be the next governor of the Old Dominion. The US Supreme Court just heard 2 cases about legalized homophobia in California and in the Federal government.
Sure, things are getting better, and I applaud Shapiro for remembering my hero, Martina Navratilova, but America still has a long way to go to remove the stigma of homophobia. We still have people angry because the US President in his 5th year in office is black.
Dresden
It amuses me to note that once a person comes to the realization that their argument is a lost cause, they start quoting the definition of words from a dictionary in a feeble attempt to prove their nonsensical point. For instance, at this moment, I’m quite certain that I’ve no need to quote the definition of FAIL, since it’s blatantly apparent that Mac has a very personal understanding of not only what it means but how it feels.
iLiberal
@J.R. – I hope you come back and express your opinions here often. It’s not often that someone can drop in and defuse a rather volatile exchange like you did. Here’s another “wishing you the best” on your finals, dealing with the process of coming out, and moving forward with your life!
iLiberal
@J.R: I hope you come back and express your opinions here often. It’s not often that someone can drop in and defuse a rather volatile exchange like you did. Here’s another “wishing you the best” on your finals, dealing with the process of coming out, and moving forward with your life!
(re-posted with proper links to J.R)
Polaro
Ben Shapiro, squeaky little man – closet case? My gaydar went off.
gjg64
I think the important question here is “Who is Ben Shapiro?”
Dakotahgeo
@MacTX: Your use of Merriam-Webster is heartwarming. You are right of course. I wasn’t aware that you were at the “wearing shoes” stage. Mea culpa. My statements/comments in this blog stand!
Polaro
@gjg64: Maybe that was Ben Shapiro’s point. I had no clue who the midget was before this.
Dakotahgeo
@gjg64: Perhaps that question is equal to: “Why should we CARE WHO Ben Shapiro is?!?
Teleny
Anybody who comes out is a hero to me. Any str8 allies willing to take a hit for our community are likewise heroes. The people who hate Jadon Collins are the same people who tried to make our lives miserable as kids. Bullies then: would be bullies now.
MacTX
@Little-Kiwi:
Bullies often times do not realize what they are. In their mind, they believe they are doing what they think is right or proper. It appears that you lack the comprehension to even understand the simplest of logic that I can present to you. Thanks for commenting though and I’ll continue to respond to whatever comment you may provide if they actually add something to the conversation instead of personal attacks and rehashing of what has already been said. You remind me further with every post why in 2013 we have not achieved equality. You and your contemporary counterpart fight among each other with very little regards to the surrounding. Your tactics are predictable, clumsy and monotone. If this is the extent of your intellectual argument, I do weep for the future of the gay community if you, a self proclaimed activist, are one of the voices.
until you can put yourself Out there in the same was as Collins, you need to thank him. because he’s doing what you won’t do.
I am not James Collins nor would I want to be. Your entire argument, thus far, centers around comparing apples and oranges. James Collins is YOUR hero, not mine, and deserves nothing from me. It’s quite obvious that my standard for heroism is far above yours. You still do not seem to understand that I will NEVER consider him a hero for what he has done. Granted, he is far braver than I (mostly because he will now be a large visible target for the religious crowd) but that still doesn’t make him a hero to me. Others, here and elsewhere, may call him a hero and I am fine with that. They are able to intelligently convey their thoughts and reasoning and I respect their opinions and they will get no other commentary from me on that subject.
@the other Greg:
So what? What’s so bad about that? Seriously, THAT’S your objection? So trivial. Why go on & on about it?
I can’t speak for you but for me, I was taught to think for myself and not to follow someone just for the sake of being in a crowd. The mob mentality, although useful, can also be destructive and counterproductive.
Actually, that DOES appear to be his point!
My point is actually in my initial post. In case you missed it;
Our standard for hero has plummet since WW2.
We want others to threat us like any other person and not be second class citizens yet we STILL insist on having a parade every time someone comes out. Hypocrisy. The sad part is some of us don’t see it nor will admit it.
@Dresden:
Showing up late to the party with very little to add to the conversation. I wonder whose bandwagon you came in on. Thanks for showing up though.
MacTX
@Dakotahgeo:
My statements/comments in this blog stand!
Which ones? I found very little in terms of actual statements and more mutual-masturbatory and self-serving banter between you and little-kiwi than anything else.
Perhaps you were referring to the comment where you were condoning murder of someone who doesn’t share your view?
Ben Shapiro shouldn’t be exterminated because he’s Jewish, but because, for the Jewish Holocaust history, he is extremely stupid and callous! What a dolt!
For someone who claims to be religious, (Dakotahgeo, M.Div. Pastor/Chaplain), you certainly don’t practice what you SHOULD be preaching. Another example of your hypocrisy. With you as a voice of your religion, I can understand why certain religion has been the bane of humanity for thousands of years.
Dresden
I also find it amusing when losers start accusing people of being bullies and spewing out nonsense about mob mentality and bandwagons, simply because more than one person disagrees with their insipid diatribe. It’s fairly evident to anyone with half a brain that using this tactic, in order to attempt to discredit all of anyone’s individual opinions, is one of the only things they’ve got left to defend their ill-conceived assertions. It’s these same sorry people that find it perfectly acceptable to engage in personal attacks, but cry foul when that very same thing is done to them. In case anyone is interested, Mac gave the definition of hypocrite earlier and has also supplied us with various examples of what it takes to actually be one.
MacTX
@Dresden:
I also find it amusing when losers start accusing people of being bullies and spewing out nonsense about mob mentality and bandwagons, simply because more than one person disagrees with their insipid diatribe.
What I have a problem with are people who don’t have anything of relevance to add, like yourself. Your 2 comments thus far have been specifically targeted at me using pretty much the exact tactics as Dakotahgeo and Little-kiwi. Your late arrival and lack of willingness or attempt to directly or indirectly address my position makes me wonder which one of them referred you to this article. I have no problem with people disagreeing with me, there are numerous comments above from those who don’t agree. They say what they have to say, I read it and either comment or go on with my life. Unlike you, they actually have something to say and have not resorted to personal attacks which seems to be the only play you and your group have in that book. You can not fight intellectually so you resort to petty tactics.
It’s fairly evident to anyone with half a brain that using this tactic, in order to attempt to discredit all of anyone’s individual opinions, is one of the only things they’ve got left to defend their ill-conceived assertions. It’s these same sorry people that find it perfectly acceptable to engage in personal attacks, but cry foul when that very same thing is done to them. In case anyone is interested, Mac gave the definition of hypocrite earlier and has also supplied us with various examples of what it takes to actually be one.
I find that hilarious coming from someone who has yet to say anything to specifically address my position. When you attack me personally, you become fair game, just like all others who have gone that path. I will not go that route first but will respond to those who choose that path. It’s difficult to discredit someone when nothing of relevance has been presented. You are like your companions before you, you see someone with an opposing view point and for whatever reason feel the need to attack, without thinking. You are displaying mob mentality and bully tactics beautifully.
jmmartin
Ben Shapiro makes me anti-Semitic.
LadyL
@J.R: I too salute you for finding the grace and courage to come out and thank you for taking the time to share your story with us here. All best wishes to you, and whatever you do with your life, know that you’ve made it infinitely richer and better for choosing honesty and self-respect over fear and self-denial.
I too am black and gay (actually lesbian) and was stunned by Jason’s announcement and moved by his eloquent story; I understand completely what it’s meant to you.
Frankly I don’t give a damn about sports, so the “why now” aspect of his coming-out has no relevance to me. JASON COLLINS IS A BLACK MAN WITH A PUBLIC PROFILE AND HE CAME OUT. Unambiguously. Without apology. That’s why he’s a hero. With his courageous act Jason Collins has started people talking, opened a few minds, and saved some fragile young lives. In black communities like the ones in which I live and work, we need all the Jason Collinses we can get.
J.R., you are going to encounter people–you probably have already–who will insist they “don’t care” about who’s gay and don’t need to hear about it. You’re no doubt seeing a lot of those kinds of comments posted about Jason. Do not be fooled. This “who cares” and “why is everybody talking about this” response is the New Homophobia, a kinder, gentler way of trying to return us all to the closet while feigning tolerance.
Keep safe, keep your chin up, and remember always that the price of someone else’s acceptance of you should never be your invisibility.
Dakotahgeo
@MacTX: What we commenters who disagree with you are trying to say… is that your comments don’t count, they don’t sway us, and people really feel sorry for you. You are an angry person and your attempts to hurt us through wordy diatribes don’t work… they are boring. I’m probably in a better position than most because I am retired, love it, and could a rat’s wienie what you or anyone else thinks of me.
Suffice it to say that you have hurt no one’s cause but your own. For that, I feel sorry for you. You are quite lame. Have you done anything in your life to make other peoples’ lives better? Mmm. I doubt it.
MacTX
@Dakotahgeo:
It’s good that you are at least making an attempt at explaining your behavior. I really could care less what you and your group had to say about my comment; the only thing I cared about was the personal attacks.
So lets get this straight, the group saw my comment above (either individually or as a collective) but instead of ignoring it or giving a rational rebuttal like intelligent creatures, you felt compelled to comment back in what amounts to apes beating their chests trying to scare a predator away. You claim that my comment doesn’t count nor swayed you, but your actions since then say otherwise. I don’t scare easily nor do I back down from people who display bully characteristics.
If my words are “wordy” and “boring” to you, don’t read them, they’re meant for people with a level of intelligence. It’s interesting, even when you try to explain yourself, you still have to resort to name calling to communicate. Nice rhetorical question, BTW. I hope your desire to help others was out of charity instead of a bragging point in a commentary. Enjoy your retirement.
Dresden
@MacTX: Your pseudo-intellectual psychobabble means nothing to me. My observations here were written to express my amusement of the predictable tactics that you have resorted to in order to puff yourself up and belittle everyone else, nothing more. If that’s what it takes to make you feel better about your miserable little existence then, by all means, please continue.
MacTX
@Dresden:
Thanks for the equally predictable and entertaining 3 comment.
zrocqs
@MacTX: Thank you for your response, and for choosing to find “much” of my post unimpressive rather than most of it. Having just reviewed it, I have to agree with “much” of your assessment. In fact, addressing it to “everyone but…” was petty. My apologies.
I will concur with you on the bastardization of the word “hero”; it’s used far too often. Is Jason Collins a hero? No. Is he remarkable? Yes. Should he be lauded? Definately. He is risking almost certain post-professional-sports financial gain for an uncertain return. Even Pros without a national profile have local connections to exploit. It seems likely to me that many of his potential connections will disappear. He has traded a tried-and-true course for a very uncertain one. He now has a national profile, but how luctrative is speaking before groups of a couple of hundred people vs. commercial endorsements of car dealerships, retailers, or even restaurants or mattress stores? Should he choose a future in business, will his name now appeal to local businesses that might have been willing to accept a smaller financial investment from him in trade for his fame? He has chosen the riskier path. This is worthy of respect.
As to Ben Shapiro: he chose hyperbole over reason when confronted with his own tweet. Piers Morgan got the better of him, and Morgan is a star-fucking dolt. Your defense of Shapiro wasn’t based on this interview. Here, you failed.
I also question your rejection of the “left-right paradigm”. Venn diagrams work for particuar and specific issues, not for individuals. People fall on a continuum based on how, and for whom, they vote. The continuum is itself a single circle (meeting at the confluence of nihilist/anarchist), but it is still just a single circle. Most people who claim to be Libertarian are actually conservatives seeking a shiny veneer. If you are a true Libertarian, you are an outlier. And true Libertarianism will only succeed in a hermitage. As soon as you encounter other unknown people, you have to create another nexus. Compound this process and voila!, you need a multi-tiered government. This is why we have the left/right paradigm.
Little-Kiwi
every time you post without putting a face to your comments, MAC, you only prove me right even more.
if “Bullies” like me keep anonymous cowards like you in the proverbial closet, then i’ve never been prouder to be a bully 😀
Little-Kiwi
btw, MAC – post a URL where you show you and your family talking about LGBT Equality.
if you click my name you’ll be taken toa link where there are a few dozen videos of my family and i doing just that.
so, why don’t you and your awesome family do the same thing?
😀
the other Greg
Gee, I was always told that MACs never get viruses! Maybe we should start calling him PC from Texas?
What I find most troubling about Mac’s comments is his bad advice – which he probably doesn’t think of as “advice” per se – to closeted people worried about coming out.
If coming out was no big deal for Mac, a “non-issue,” well la-ti-da. Goody for him. And his parents sound more bored than annoyed with him! An unusual outcome, to say the least. But no one can count on that happy (or boring?) outcome, so Mac’s advice is quite dangerous.
Anyone who takes the grave but necessary decision to come out needs to be psychologically prepared for rejection… complete, utter, total rejection.
Yes, that extreme reaction will be RARE, and is probably less and less common. And even if it happens, it may not be permanent (who knows, your dumb parents or whoever may come around in five or ten years and be fine). But you need to be prepared for rejection.
(And okay, Mac, coming out may not be “heroic” in the firefighter or WWII sense. Yes, over the years there has been some “grade inflation” with the word hero, okay okay okay, but that hardly justifies all your endless carping about it here.)
But coming out takes a certain amount of bravery and will probably be the bravest thing the closeted person has done to date. Still, it needs to be done, and the rewards will be immense.
Little-Kiwi
or, greg, we can be real and acknowledge that MAC is just flat-out lying.
his coming out was not a “non issue” with his family, even he’s even Out to them at all. which i doubt.
instead, he’s tolerated as long as he acts like a cowardly little doormat 😀
MacTX
@zrocqs:
Jason Collins is brave in my book, just not a hero. He has challenges ahead but career wise, being in the spot light may prove more fruitful than a detriment. His basketball career was already unremarkable well before coming out. From what I can gather, it’s probable he may have been at the very end. This moment of notoriety may or may not extend that career but at the very least, he has other opportunities and support he didn’t have before.
Calling victory on a subjective issue is not productive. I’ll have to disagree with you on the Piers Morgan/Ben Shapiro interview. Here, like his other interviews, he employs the same tactic of baiting his guests to explain themselves, dismisses/ignores any arguments/points brought up by them without much if any relevant rebuttal, then calls victory for himself and ends the interview. His entire approach is usually emotional rather than logical. While he can be excessive in his response as you’ve pointed out, Shapiro did attempt to thoroughly defend his tweet to Morgan. Morgan just chooses to ignore it for his self serving agenda. The approach of some of the people here is remarkably similar to that of Morgan. I find it interesting that a UK Citizen is here on US soil demonizing a US citizen on his use of his protected right to free speech.
The Venn diagram I was envisioning is not a description of the individuals but rather of the philosophies. I see conservatism, liberalism and libertarianism as overlapping circles. The points at which they overlap is still in flux for me. Yes, you could consider me an outlier. Modern libertarians are too soft and far too eager to sacrifice their principles for acceptance. I consider the left/right paradigm an illusion, at least in our current government. On the surface there appears to be two polar opposite groups but down below and out of the light, I find that it is essentially just a single group. Corruption and the desire to harmonize is probably more at fault than philosophies. This is the reason I don’t subscribe to the left/right paradigm.
@the other Greg:
(And okay, Mac, coming out may not be “heroic” in the firefighter or WWII sense. Yes, over the years there has been some “grade inflation” with the word hero, okay okay okay, but that hardly justifies all your endless carping about it here.)
But coming out takes a certain amount of bravery and will probably be the bravest thing the closeted person has done to date. Still, it needs to be done, and the rewards will be immense.
It sounds like you can see where I’m coming from but at the same time, you still feel the need to use insults to communicate as you parade for the acceptance of the mob.
Actually, the “endless carping about it here” that you speak of can be attributed to the individuals who perceive themselves to be better than me. They can not coup with dissenting or opposing view point to their own but at the same time can not put their objections into intelligent words and can only resort to primitive rage. What this tells me is that they are unable to convey their thoughts and must resort to chest beating as their only means to debate. Speaking to someone anonymous puts them at a disadvantage as their typical tool of prejudice, preconceived notions about people and stereotyping is often times less effective when all they have to confront is ideas and thoughts.
Dakotahgeo
@MacTX: TXMac, do you always pout like this when you’ve bested by the absolute best AND the “not that best”? You must have been a horrible child to raise, and bring out into the public! I don’t really know how to react to recalcitrant people like you because you’re so abnormal. Not being “normal” isn’t so bad, but you definitely are skirting the edges of the unbelievable! The people on this blog are showing an amazing resiliency to your prattering. If you promise to be a good little boy, your mommy will bring you your bwankie and some warm milk before your nighty-night!
(You are unbelievable!).
Dakotahgeo
@Little-Kiwi: If you, Little Kiwi, are the King Bully, may you never lose that crown and title, lolol. You’ve got my, and several hundred other, vote(s), I’m sure! 🙂
MacTX
@Dakotahgeo:
If this is what you consider the best, I’m thoroughly not impressed. Your standard for heroism apparently isn’t the only thing substandard. So, you condone bullying as well as murder. I can’t say I’m surprised, this isn’t the first (and probably won’t be the last) time a religious man has failed to practice what he preaches. I mean after all, those kids who have accused the clergy of molestation are probably just dirty little liars, right. I find the continued mutual-masturbatory session between you and little kiwi quite amusing but at the same time, a little disturbing. It’s like an accident scene, you know you shouldn’t look but you just can’t help yourself.
Dakotahgeo
@MacTX: ROFL… so yadda, yadda, yadda of you! Thanks for the compliments, Maaaaac! You fail again… perfect score!
Little-Kiwi
Mac will post anonymously and pretend his life is awesome. why? in truth – mommy and daddy can’t wait for him to drop dead. 😀
cowards like him give excuses to remain anonymous. and they always will. so rest assured, you’ll never have to deal with cowardly homos like them in the real world. they don’t have the balls to live in it. and daddy wont’ let them.
Dakotahgeo
@Little-Kiwi: There seems to be quite a bit of truth to what you say. I can’t wait for TXMac’s tepid but comical response! Any moment now…
MacTX
@Little-Kiwi: @Dakotahgeo:
Right on cue, you two do not disappoint. What I can’t figure out is who’s master and who’s slave in that relationship, or maybe it’s more of a daddy/son type setup. Either way, it’s disturbing but far to entertaining not to watch as you two mutually stroke each other’s ego.
Little-Kiwi
@MacTX: the masters are your bigoted parents, who hate having you for a son, and the slave is you – their wimpy doormat of a child 😀
but you’re right. we don’t disappoint.
know who does disappoint? you. who did you disappoint? mommy and daddy.
you could always prove me wrong by posting a video of your apparently-awesome family having a discussion about LGBT Equality. you know, actual proof.
but you won’t because you can’t. 😀
so you’ll keep on boasting anonymously. that’s ok. it just proves me right 😀
MacTX
@Little-Kiwi:
Ah, the same ape-like tirade, so that must make Dakotahgeo the daddy. Thanks.
@Dakotahgeo:
The people on this blog are showing an amazing resiliency to your prattering.
Not sure how I missed that little gem. Interesting that you confuse inaction with resiliency. You’re one of the few here that don’t understand what an opinion is. Others seem to have no problem with that concept, why you do is the mystery.
Dakotahgeo
@Little-Kiwi: LK… what did I tell you??? Right on time, just like toodles TXMac is prone to do. I’m not sure what part of our bodies are long enough to stroke each other but to even think about it hurts, lolol. Betcha TXMac comes back again in less than 5-10 minutes with another earth-shattering… plop! for us! Nobody seems to like this little la Cucaracha TXMacq!
Little-Kiwi
HAHA. yeah. well, cowards like him are textbook. they make boastful claims that they can’t, and won’t, back up. why? because they’re lies.
Mac, it’s not my fault nor Jason Collins’ fault that your white parents hate your guts 😀
MacTX
@Dakotahgeo:
Quite frankly you’re only worth the effort of a response as a pair. You’re far less interesting as soloists.
@Little-Kiwi:
It’s amusing watching as you and your partner attempt to construct me in your own image (i.e. a piñata created from your experiences and imagination). The pieces you choose really does add to your character and psychological profiles.
Not having a physical person that you can intimidate and/or violate must be frustrating.
Little-Kiwi
what are you talking about? i’ve already intimidated you, you wimp. you’re too cowardly to put a face to your claims.
you’ve been intimidated and violated by the bigots you call family for so long that all you have left is coming online to anonymously be a prick.
it’s kinda cute. in a pathetic, lonely, “nobody will care when he dies” sorta way.
keep it up, coward 😀
if you believed a word you’ve typed, you’d put a face to your comments. but you can’t. because, like all trolls, you need anonymity so you can lie.
its ok, though. if i had your life i’d need to lie every day, too.
Dakotahgeo
@Little-Kiwi: We forget, much to our dismay, Little Kiwi, that TXMac is the “victim” here. We must never forget that… hahahahahaha! If he had any self-respect, he would just… be quiet and quit incriminating himself.
Little-Kiwi
gay conservatives come online and lie, anonymously, because their real lives are worthless.
MacTX
@Little-Kiwi: @Dakotahgeo:
Oh no, not more diatribe replete with insults. I’m really shaking in my boots now. So scared over here.
I just love older activists, so entertaining.
Dakotahgeo
@MacTX: Wow! It doesn’t take much to make you Stop, Drop, and Roll! Listen, pudding brain, we older guys were the “activists” plus thousands of others who did the footwork to bring equality to ALL people, not just the mentally challenged ones like you! Show some respect for those who work while your kind practice opening beer cans! We were working hard while your mama was changing your diapers at 12 years old!
misterhollywood
Chris Evans is a standup guy and supportive of GLBT issues. We have a page on him at our site too. The guy is cool
http://Www.straight-or-gay.com