A few months ago, Philadelphia Flyers Flyers defensman Chris Pronger said his team was a “bunch of good, clean wholesome guys who are always on their best behavior.” Last night Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds proved him wrong by calling dapper Rangers wing Sean Avery, “a fucking faggot.”
Avery confirmed Simmonds, 23, called him the homophobic slur, saying, “To be here now having to answer the questions about what he did is disappointing for me. I’m disappointed for him.”
Simmonds, one of the few African-Americans in hockey, was himself the victim of prejudice recently when a fan threw a banana on the ice at a recent Red Wings/Flyers game. He didn’t admit to using the slur but didn’t deny it either: “Honestly, we were going back and forth for a while there,” he told ESPN. “I don’t recall everything that I did say to him but he said to me some things I didn’t like and maybe I said some things that he didn’t like. I can’t recall every single word I said.”
Despite hockey’s reputation for being an aggressive and sometimes violent sport Avery, who’s been a vocal ally of the gay community, thinks such an outburst should be taken as seriously as it is in other sports. In April, Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for using the same term against a referee. “Ten years ago, maybe it wasn’t so much an issue,” Avery said. “But it’s certainly an issue politically with people in the game. And just in life in general.”
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league was investigating the incident. “We have [the] ability to discipline for language used on the ice,” Daly told ESPNNewYork.com, although the league has never used it to penalize a player for making homophobic remarks.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Image via Anna Rodriguez
Michael
Ugh so tired of these people this guy had a banana thrown at him not long ago because he was BLACK.So the question CONTINUES to remain why do these idiotic hypocrites keep bashing other people based on their sexual orientation or perceived orientation.When they themselves know full good and well ALSO how it feels to be discriminated against.The hypocrisy never surprises me sadly.
Daine
It’s sports. There are far more important issues than a jock throwing a gay slur. Like gays and lesbians being persecuted in the Middle-East, hate crimes and Pride in Belgrad. How is my life affected by what a jock says? Zero.
Little Kiwi
well, Michael, often it’s for the very same reason that many gay men feel a need to insult, demean and belittle “femmes/trannies/drag queens/etc” – it’s hypocrisy, to be sure, but it’s also a cowardly way to draw negative attention away from one’s self and onto someone else.
the gay man who insults a “femme guy” or joins his buddies in mocking a ‘tranny’ does so because he wants to make sure prejudice goes onto someone else, and not HIM. it’s hypocrisy, and it’s cowardice.
look at how intense transphobia still is within the gay community -it comes from the same place. gay men who are still sucking up to bigoted bullies, rather than having having the balls to stand up to them. they throw insults at ______ in hopes that it’ll make the bully thing they’re “one of them.”
Michael
@Little Kiwi:
Ive also seen hatred against bisexuals from this community.Trust me there is a LOT of hypocrisy within the LGBT community ive witnessed a lot of it over the years online more then anything.
Little Kiwi
it’s important to remember that some people don’t have it in them to fight against the Ruling Class.
There are people who for many reasons, often unknown to them, still suck up to the ideals of the White Heterosexual Christian Male.
we see it in ethnic minorities who are anti-gay. gay men who are anti-“anything that aint white”. gay men who are anti-gay because they’re hoping if they join in anti-gay bigotry it will mean that THEY won’t be targeted.
gay men who insult femmes, “trannies”, drag queens. why? because they hope if they do that then the people in their lives who are still anti-gay won’t “hurt them” – but it actually just ensures that anti-gay bigotry continue.
there was a lot of prejudice against polish and irish immigrants in america, then the pressure was put on the chinese community (1882’s “Chinese Exclusion Act”) the irish/polish groups found they could ‘win favor’ with by being anti-China. then with WWII the Japanese were the “new enemy”, so the Chinese could win favor by being “anti-Japan”
harvey milk spoke often about “the Us’s” the minorities. the poor. LGBT people. the elderly. the disabled. non-whites. united we stand. but very often we get people who can’t do that – they still want to suck up to the Ruling Class in hopes that they’ll be free from discrimination. it’s what slows down progress all the time.
Michael
@Little Kiwi:
Correct me if Im wrong but isnt Dan Savage biphobic and transphobic? I thought I had heard that not long ago about him.
Little Kiwi
Dan Savage is accused of many things, mainly by gay men who (like i pointed out earlier) are still sucking up to the Ruling Class – Dan Savage pushes buttons. Suckups hate button-pushers.
Savage is accused of “bi-phobia” for pointing out what I myself have no problem pointing out right now: that a great deal of people who identify as Bisexual eventually admit to simply being gay.
if you do a search on gay social sites for bisexual males you will find that:
1. most are under 25
2. most are Not Out
3. most are members of right-leaning political and/or religious affiliations
4. most have profiles riddled with “but i’m still a real man”-jargon
Savage does not discount that bisexuality exists. He simply points out that in an anti-gay world culture Bi is seen as “not totally gay” therefore “not as bad.” Gay men are to blame for Bisexuality having a negative stigma – gay men who falsely co-opt the Bi orientation label only to later come out as Gay make it seem as if bisexuality is a phase. bisexuality is not a phase. SAYING one is bisexual is a phase, for far too many gay people.
People should read Savage’s book “The Commitment” – it’s hilarious and touching.
as for Savage’s alleged transphobia – it all stems from comments made (Santorum-style, actually) toward high-ranking Republican Rob McKenna. I don’t think Savage’s comment was transphobic, but actually pointed and satiric. like the Spreading Santorum thing.
you can read up on it here: http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/03/26/state-attorney-general-rob-mckenna-is-not-transgender
Michael
@Little Kiwi:
Hmm interesting thanks for the link.
Yes ive noticed some bisexual men come out as gay for instance Ricky Martin claimed he was bi then not long after came out as gay.I have a bisexual boyfriend though so I can assure you its not true in most cases.I think some of these people just THINK they are bi because they are confused but then they realize they are actually gay in the end.Ive seen videos on YT where people claim that bisexuality does not exist and thats a definite lie.
Little Kiwi
well, many teens claim “bisexuality” because “it’s not totally gay and therefore it’s not as bad as being a complete homo”
it’s their toe-dip into a new world – get people used to the idea of Bi before you thrust (no pun intended) GAY into the mix.
there’s also the reality that teens are pumped full of hormones. pretty much ANYTHING related to sex will turn on a teenager. so, they think they’re bi because they’re “aroused” – but that’s the combo of adolescent hormones and “exciting new things about SEX” that are the turn-on.
bisexuality is indeed a legit orientation. the reason people don’t believe in it is because far too many gay people claim to be bi before they’re able to admit to others, and indeed themselves, that they’re just plain old GAY.
remove the negative stigma on “gay’ from society and you’ll have fewer people falsely claiming to be Bi, and thus we’ll remove that falsely-negative stigma from bisexuality as well.
Michael
@Little Kiwi:
True the ones that I feel do not help the stigma are the ones you referred to .
The ones who claim to be bi only to come out as gay later on.Its that type of thing that makes bisexuality more and more confusing and hard to understand.
My boyfriend for example says he loves men and women and hes more attracted to women hes never been with a man before.But now we are together its a strange process but our love for each other is stronger then anything out there so I know we can get through it together.
Little Kiwi
I slept with some girls before I came out in high school. Didnt’ make me bi. It meant i was full of adolescent hormones and was turned on by the idea of sex. I mean, remember being that age? most of us popped wood from a bumpy bus ride.
Michael
@Little Kiwi:
Dan may not be trans-phobic, but he’s likely trans-ignorant.
Here are his own words:
“I’ve never known a single adult gay man who decided to run off and become a woman. The only men I’ve known who changed their gender as adults were heterosexually identified men who now identify as lesbians.” (Sept 21, 2006 Savage Love).
I’ve read similar statements by him on the Slog over the years. If he really doesn’t know grown men that were gay (or believed they were) and in their adulthood went thru a process to transition to female, then he ought to spend more time with the Trans community. I am gay, not trans, but have met plenty of individuals out there to directly refute his assertion.
I noticed this one specific comment on that link you supplied for me to look at.
Could you possibly clarify what it means? To me it seems as if Savage is indeed ignorant on the subject of transgenders but thats just my perspective on the matter.
I also just feel that if someone feels the need to or feels as if they want to or do represent this community then they should probably be more knowledgeable about everything gay americans bisexuals lesbians transgenders etc… Im not slamming Savage just trying to better understand him and where he comes from on matters such as this. It would be morally irresponsible if he made it seem as if transgender should be used negatively .
I was reading up about what people who are transgenders suffer from I especially was shocked by the crime rate and the violence that occurs to that community. Saddens me on multiple levels. I understand Savage was just making a joke calling General McKenna a transgender but it comes across as if that is supposed to be meant as a way to INSULT McKenna instead of taking the word and turning it into a positive .Once again thats just my perspective on the matter.
Michael
@Little Kiwi:
lol Im still a virgin actually at 30 been saving myself for a while now.
I dated girls but never kissed them only on the cheek that was it.
Little Kiwi
McKenna also made many a comment about transpeople using “the wrong bathrooms” – Savage’s comment, while many feel it’s in bad taste (and i myself wouldn’t have said what he said) is satirically pointing out that one may look Trans and not be – and one may be trans and not be as “obvious”
i know many trans men who were “heterosexual males” who are now in lesbian relationships. similarly, many trans friends who were formerly “heterosexual women” who are indeed now identified as FTM gay males.
he may indeed be trans-ignorant. but i don’t feel he’s transphobic.
Michael
@Little Kiwi:
I think he’s more ignorant then phobic myself.
ewe
@Michael: You are 30 and saving yourself? For what? Why is obsessive masturbation any better or more sacred than fucking? No offense but once you hit 40 and up the pickins get smaller and less people will be looking at you too. So get with it already before you completely miss the boat. And don’t even bother replying to me if it is somehow connected to religion.
Little Kiwi
….you’re 30, a virgin, and dating a bi guy who claims to be more into women?
is this a long-distance relationship you have?
Michael
@Little Kiwi:
He lives in the UK I live in South Carolina. We’re planning on meeting before the years over.
Little Kiwi
so. you’re a virgin, 30, and “dating” a guy you’ve never met who is bi and claims to be more into women than men?
Michael
@ewe:
Wow. Im not religious first of all and I did not ask to wait this long to begin with.
Trust me it was not my choice. Ive just had way too many long distance relationships that have not lasted.
Nice to be mocked AGAIN though.Typical of this site.
Michael
@Little Kiwi:
Ive talked to Nick on the phone many times .Are you trying once again to make some kind of point little boy? Im afraid you are failing miserably attempting to as usual.
ewe
@Michael: I am not mocking you. I just find it odd. Please don’t think i am making light of your life. I apologize if you think i am purposely degrading you. I’m not. What do you mean it isn’t your choice?
Little Kiwi
some kind of point? no. of course not. i wish you the best of luck in your relationship with this bisexual man who is more into women than men whom you have never even met.
” Ive just had way too many long distance relationships that have not lasted.”
maybe it’s time to start dating people that you’ve actually met. just saying. not as an insult, but as a legit piece of advice.
when one has “the same thing happen to them” a lot it’s because they’re repeating the same patterns in life. you can’t do the exact same thing many times and expect a different result.
Michael
@ewe:
It wasnt my choice to be a virgin to begin with.Back when I WAS religious I was saving myself for marriage… this was before I came out years ago. Then when I became atheist I just I dont know never really thought about it its not that it doesnt interest me just never have found the right opportunity for it if you know what I mean.
ewe
@Michael: And i am just saying that if you do not jerk off you WILL eventually touch someone else.
ewe
@Michael: You are linking sex with love and i hope you find that. I wasn’t.
Michael
@Little Kiwi:
i wish you the best of luck in your relationship with this bisexual man who is more into women than men whom you have never even met.
Zzzz as usual your condescending patronizing comments are NEVER welcome nor appreciated.
maybe it’s time to start dating people that you’ve actually met. just saying. not as an insult, but as a legit piece of advice.
Oh gee ty mr wizard like I didnt already KNOW THAT .
No I fell head over heels for Nick he was also there for me when my dad died in July which brought us even closer. We’ve broken up numerous times but no matter what we’ve always found our way back to each other .Hes the one I want to be with and spend the rest of my life with no question about that. Im actually glad Im a virgin to begin with because I would never feel right sleeping with strange men and sleeping around thats never been my thing.
Michael
@ewe:
No actually im not the sex thing is not important to me.The love part however is.
ewe
@Michael: Michael, a bisexual person or any type of person that you are not intimately involved with is a friend, good friend, best friend. That is the best type of relationship but don’t waste your own life waiting for him to come around. It isn’t going to happen. I assume you want sex with him? I gotta go exercise. later.
Little Kiwi
it’s not condescending to point out the specific facts.
you’ve fallen head over heels for a guy, and apparently “broken up numerous times”, with a guy you HAVE NEVER MET.
and you call me “little boy”? i’m smart enough to know that until you’ve met in person it’s no relationship – it’s fantasy and projection.
seriously, this explains everything. i wish you the best of luck in life.
Michael
@ewe:
No I actually love him and he loves me.
Michael
@Little Kiwi:
No its not and no it does not explain anything you idiot.
This coming from someone who tells people to go hang themselves and also calls me PATHETIC to another user on this site.
Not all of us want to be manwhores like your kind dude. Seriously lose the ego you are a piece of shit and this is the last time I am speaking to you.
Your comments about my father I hope come back and bite you in your ugly ass like you deserve btw.
till the world ends
I’m sorry I’m 35 not confused I like pussy and I like dick. if I can have both at the same time even better! My dick gets just as hard as it does for a woman as it gets for a man.
I’ve always been that way. sometimes I feel like a nut sometimes I don’t. I dated a girl for 5 years and she was ok with me fooling around with guys. she even watched or picked the guy out for me! I have also been in committed relationships with a man. He knew that I still like girls. I chose not to be with any because it was something he didn’t like. but I wasn’t happy. So I found someone like me. We don’t go out fucking people but we would invite other couples that are safe or like to watch or be watched. it’s great. I get the best of both worlds and loving it. So Bi people do exist. I will never go fully gay. I will never get tired of pussy. So what you must this is me and I’m happy this way.
Michael
@till the world ends:
So what you must this is me and I’m happy this way.
claps . Loved that comment more people in this world should feel that way much less think that way.
till the world ends
I meant to type “Say what you must, this is me, and I’m Happy this way!”
ewe
@till the world ends: lol. You seem to define your entire orientation on what you are doing physically.
ewe
@Michael: I get the impression you are having trouble accepting yourself. That whole thing about not wanting any intimate sex with someone you say you love is evidence of that.
ewe
@Michael: Maybe you are simply looking for companionship. Many people do especially later in life.
Michael
@ewe:
Im serious are people like you ever capable of being respectful? Must it always be the smart ass rude patronizing pompous behavior 24/7? How the hell do I not accept myself? I love who I am and what I stand unlike certain people on this site I do not look down on people nor think I am always right or bully people or put down people based on their opinions.
Your impression is wrong I’m afraid.Im like an open book about EVERYTHING if I had trouble accepting myself I would just flat out come out and say that I did.I don’t though so you are incorrect in your assumption.There is no evidence either I love how people like you attempt to psychoanalyze people and read into things that are not even there to begin with.While you sit up on your pedestal looking down on people though Ill be on the very bottom where I am quite comfortable being.No I do not mean that bottom either for those one track mind people here. rolls eyes
Michael
@ewe:
Amazing how you pompous people also mock and make fun of a long distance relationship trying to demean its value and make it less then to your relationships.Not my fault he and I are so damn far apart from one another neither of us asked for that nor wanted that.I wish he lived where I lived in all honesty. Not to mention my boyfriend has many difficulties in his life an abusive father for starters .There are a lot of complications but apart from the arrogant rude bullying pessimists I believe in love period.I know that he and I will pull through all of this and as we always have been be the stronger for it in the end.
ewe
Honey. All the luck in the world. Take care.
Michael
@ewe:
Don’t appreciate the condescending nor patronizing response …. but thanks all the same.
ewe
@Michael: yw
till the world ends
@ewe: I am in a loving relationship. 2 years strong we live together. Did you not read that part of me being in a relationship. Mentally we will be together forever. She gets it. I get her. We don’t do anything without the other person being there. We accept it. it’s great. I get to play with dicks when I want too. but I have a girlfriend that knows I come home to her every night. I know what I want and have it. I’m not confused or not sure. I’m in love and she loves me the way I am. it works so I’m not going to try and fix anything. Physically I have a wide range appetite. I’m just happy I found someone that is cool with the hole bi thing.
I doubt if your cock gets hard if you have a pussy in your face! Mine does. it also gets hard when I’m playing with a dick.
till the world ends
@Michael: Wrong. I’m in a relationship right now. 2 3/4 years. next month will be 3. we are happy. she understands and loves that I love dick too!
Michael
@till the world ends:
Shutup already I was actually complimenting you for what you said.Get over yourself already no one likes a bragger.
re
I find it truly unfortunate that there is so much infighting on this site. Guys, we are all reading this news for a reason. This was an article about LGBT harassment, and we shat all over it.
I just lost a little faith.
Michael
@re:
Thats the hypocritical thing about this community though they get off on bullying mocking and putting peoples opinions down.They insult peoples intelligence condescend patronize and speak down to people as well.If you want proof as to many in this community have lost faith just look at this site and the way most here treat others and behave thats the only proof one needs.