This year marks the 50th anniversary since the first pride parade following the 1969 riot at New York City’s Stonewall Inn. Since we’re unable to gather in person this June, Queerty is celebrating pride season with our “Moments of Pride” series. We’re looking back through our archives at stories that have moved or inspired us, made us laugh, opened our hearts and minds, or that simply make us proud. Throughout the spring and into summer, we’ll be commenting on these subjects through today’s lens to show just how far we have come in a half-century. Happy pride!
During the 2016 Olympics, divers Jack Laugher and Chris Mears shared a sweet embrace after scoring the gold medal for Team Great Britain with their flawless 3-meter synchronized dive. It was a major moment for the two athletes, who hugged it out afterwards in their speedos.
NBD, right? …Wrong!
The UK’s Daily Mail called the celebratory hug “unmanly.” This ignited a social media firestorm, with people from all over the globe chastising the newspaper for being homophobic and trying to suggest two guys, regardless of their sexuality, embracing was somehow wrong or inappropriate.
I know we're all outraged at the daily fail calling hugging unmanly…. But that aside….
???????????? pic.twitter.com/WBwW4yI2Hp
— David James (@DJNSussex) August 11, 2016
All genders, all sexualities, all ages, Olympic medalists – everyone should be able to hug without shame! pic.twitter.com/Ew6j4kUm8N
— Robbie Lawlor (@Robbie_Lawlor) August 11, 2016
The Daily Mail thinks one of these celebrations is not "manly"…#Rio2016 #everydayhomophobia #everydaysexism pic.twitter.com/MXluxBUbyW
— Jon Bradfield (@JonBradfield) August 11, 2016
Our #TeamGB divers won GOLD but #DailyFail thinks athletes should celebrate with ‘manly pats on the back’.
PISS OFF! pic.twitter.com/OwBlbP6c97— Gerry Stergiopoulos (@GerryGreek) August 11, 2016
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
I for one would love that do A LOT more than hug it out with Jack Laugher. 🙂
Doug
Me too. I think the photo is really hot.
gaym50ish
If two women did that, most of them would have no problem with it.
Troysky
…my first thought too….and then …what about wrestlers?
frapachino
Ok but it’s really time to move on this happened years ago!
Cam
How interesting, the same right wing troll that always brings up Obama and Clinton says to “Move On” because homophobia in 2016 was “Years Ago”.
You just can’t help yourself can you? Even if the bigotry was in another country, you just have a knee jerk reaction to try to defend or minimize any bigotry don’t you?
RickHeathen
It’s human. Apparently, to conservatives men aren’t allowed to be human.
Screw that.
Bob LaBlah
Horse hung fifteen year old boys are all over the internet j/o, monster toys and having sex with each other but skinny as twinks in Speedo’s around a swimming pool are still a turn on? Lord where have I been all of these years?
Kangol2
The Daily Mail is a well-known, very popular right-wing newspaper. It basically runs pro-Trump and pro-Tory articles nonstop. Its homophobia is a feature, not a bug.
Josh447
Oh man. Those thighs. I really don’t need another addiction right now.
jlogb
I know right!!! Wow. Keep staring at that pic examining every inch …. hug it out!
hansniemeijer
Daily Mail is filth, like The Sun and other “news”papers in Great Britain. Wouldn’t wipe my butt with it if I would be out of toiletpaper.
rocknstan
IRONY alert :
Swimming is not a “manly” sport to begin with, since it’s not a contact sport.
While we’re at it, let’s bash all of the other non-contact sports, too.
If you want a really unassailable man’s sport, stick with American football.