If you’ve ever been to a major sporting event, you’re familiar with the Kiss-Cam, a close-up of a couple encouraged to smooch for the crowd.
The Kiss-Cam has occasionally helped break down barriers, as some arenas zoom in on same-sex couples just as they do straight sweethearts. (It’s also been the butt of jokes, like when celebrities Jason Bateman and Dustin Hoffman sucked face when the lens was turned on them.)
Now one fan of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars is asking management to stop making fun of the LGBT community by pointing the Kiss-Cam at rival teammates.
Apparently, it’s not uncommon for the cam to focus in on the two members of visiting team—the joke being, presumably, “these guys are fags!”
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.
But Dave Uible doesn’t think it’s very funny.
“I think I saw it, maybe two years ago,” Uible, 47, told Yahoo! News. “Then I saw it this year. The thing is they have this section at Jags games for honorable kids. Some are definitely going to be gay. It gives a negative angle. I just don’t think it’s necessary. It just seems out of place to me.”
Uible wrote Jags owner Shad Khan about the situation on Monday. “I just felt that Mr. Khan was new and he would do something about it,” he explained
In a letter reposted on Outsports.com, Uible wrote:
I am gay and I have a lot of gay and lesbian friends who are proud Jaguar season ticket holders. I’m not sure you are aware, but there is a video ‘joke’ called the Kiss Cam that plays at the games.
Often, the bit goes like this: after showing several happy heterosexual couples kissing in the stands, the camera then pans to two opposing male players who are in close proximity and leaning toward each other – insinuating that they may do the exact same (and ostensibly wrong) thing and kiss.
Hilarious, right?
No, and the message is clear: Jaguars are heterosexual and approved. The opponent is ‘gay,’ disapproved and the butt of a crude joke. Really, why is this even at an NFL game?”
Uible’s not alone in being irked by the Kiss-Cam. Last year, Oakland A’s pitcher Brandon McCarthy tweeted against the practice: “They put two guys on the ‘Kiss Cam’ tonight. What hilarity!! (by hilarity I mean offensive homophobia). Enough with this stupid trend.”
Kieran
Homophobia remains as American as a slice of stale, moldy apple pie.
Ogre Magi
Jacksonville is an especially rotten city
Spike
Good for Brandon McCarthy for calling it out for exactly what it is . . offensive homophobia.
becky1234
Why, WHY is it that the damn homosexual community parades around pissed off that the Christians are shoving values down their throats, but then wants everyone who’s ever spoke out against homosexuality, doesn’t believe it’s a positive lifestyle, or makes a damn joke about it, gagged and politically murdered.
Shame on all of you for being hypocrites.
NormdePlume
Hooterville is the worst place I have ever lived in my life. I had to transfer there for business and while in the office, everything was fine. Outside? The entire town is run by the local baptist church. “Oppressive” doesn’t begin to describe it.
I attended a United Way fundraiser where I was told the illiteracy rate is 50%. That’s not a typo. It is largest collection of hillbillies in this country.
If you ever want to know what a “Florida cracker” looks like, take a drive around Hooterville and after a few minutes you’ll be able to spot them at 50 yards.
Cam
@becky1234:
Becky, why don’t we take an actual look at things. The Christian Community is so offended by anybody having a different opinion then them, that they are demanding LAWS BE PASSED that do not allow people they don’t like to have civil rights.
In return is the gay community asking for laws against Christians? No, the gay community is asking to be able to live their lives.
So who is the hypocrite? You are Becky, you want to force others to live under your rules of Christianity and when they say “No thank you” you claim to be the victim.
You bigots should be embarrassed for having such simple minded arguments.
becky1234
First off, disagreement with homosexuality does not make me a bigot. I have often wondered why homosexuals, and those who speak for them, do not take a long hard look in the mirror and ask what it is that are championing for.
I am not asking for legislation against civil rights, I am asking that we don’t allow perversion to be the accepted norm.
Let’s break this down to the basics.
Leave marriage out of it. On a very biological level: penis and vagina are made for eachother. Okay, so yes, homosexuality is against nature.
“But people are BORN gay, so it is not against nature” Well folks, there are also people who are born with a propensity to pedophilia and rape, all born traits, all dealing with the “natural” desire to have sex, yet we still legislate against it.
“whoa lady, homosexuals are not forcing children or eachother to have sex, they are consenting adults” Well folks, we have statutory rape law, and depending on the state you are of sound mind to drive a car (with a permit or license), but are not permitted to have consensual sex with your 21 year old s/o. So, there goes that tricky state and those damn Christians foiling all our fun again…
I’ll even go outside of this argument and argue against transgender-ness altogether. If a person were to want to chop of an arm, or commit suicide w/o any extreme medical necessity, we’d commit said person to the loony bin. I see no difference in cutting off your penis, and/or the other horrible mutilation that is associated with this “lifestyle”
Now, tell me again how your effing civil rights are violated. Oh wait, maybe we should fight over who you get to stick your dick in while the economy tanks, the environment goes to shit, and we’re all left bent over the table being sodomized by the Japanese or a nuclear bomb anyways. Maybe that will make you happy.
Nikkidane
I have a love- hate relationship with Jacksonville. I grew up there and still have family living there. Some of the sweetest people and best friends I ever have known are from Jacksonville. I love the river and the oak trees and the undeveloped beaches. It does seems to have a Bipolar personality. It is about 40% African American. It has a huge Conservative Christian element and a huge Republican and Tea Party presence. The City Council recently voted down an ammendment to the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance to protect sexual orientation. Gender Identity didn’t even make it up for a vote. The Black politicians are very controlled by the Christian Black Ministerial Alliance, which is very homophobic. First Baptist and other conservative evangelical churches are very powerful. Oddly, there is a rather large LGBT community there maybe because of the U.S. Naval presence and the fact that is the largest city in North Florida.
Aside from the politics, which are very “South Georgia Bible Belt”, I find the people in Jacksonville much nicer for the most part than in South Florida, which is supposedly more LGBT friendly.
I still keep most of my doctors in Jacksonville. Medical care there is much better than what I’ve experienced in South Florida, especially with the Mayo Clinic.
University of North Florida is an excellent university. I also think that the Magnet schools in Jacksonville are exceptional. My niece graduated from Stanton College Preparatory High School and was able to skip her entire first year at Florida State University. I recently attended the annual performance by students from Douglas Anderson High School for Performing Arts and was blown away by the enormous talent.
I hope the Jaguars will stop this homophobic practice. It’s really a blight on a city that has tremendous potential but be a wonderful place to live. I suppose it’s meant to be funny but it’s offensive to gay people, which includes many of their fans.
becky1234
As for my “simple mind,” unlike the gay community, I don’t often associate with my sexuality. I don’t parade for it or think about it. I have other issues in this world to fight for, and my own sexual pleasures or right to piggy back off of someone else’s health insurance sure as hell don’t make the list.
Cam
@becky1234: said…. said… “First off, disagreement with homosexuality does not make me a bigot.” And …”I don’t often associate with my sexuality. I don’t parade for it or think about it.”
___________________
This is why I believe you have a simple mind. Yes….actually it does make you a bigot. Here is a simple, SIMPLE explanation.
Are you against rights for blacks? You are a rac ist.
Are you against rights for women? You are a sexist.
Are you against rights for gays? You are a bigot.
As for you not “Parading around your sexuality or thinking about it.” Sorry, but every single time you walk out with your wedding ring you are parading it. Having a picture of your spouse or children at work you are thinking about it. Having an anniversary party, dancing at somebody else’s wedding etc…
That’s the problem with you bigots. You don’t think anybody else matters. Sorry bigot, that isn’t the case. And Becky, do you know why I keep referring to you as a bigot? Because you’re a bigot.
Nikkidane
@ Becky: Exactly why are you on a site called Queerty? Your assessment of homosexuality as perversion and transsexual surgery as mutilation pretty makes you an ignorant bigot in my book. Same sex relationships exist throughout the Vertebrate Animal Kingdom. I would call that a normal variant in nature, not a perversion. The fact that you choose to compare same sex love or acts to pedophilia and rape, which have nothing to do with consensual behavior, further illustrates your bias.
I refuse to even argue with a person that is so close-minded but please do not try to pretend that you are not prejudiced. I would also suggest that if you hate LGBT people that you find another site to read. Well, actually, you might learn something by reading the comments on this site. On the other hand, probably not.
becky1234
My mind is far from simple, and your SIMPLE explanation is wrong. Bigot is a blanket term that could cover all of those groups, given the proper circumstance. There is no scientific proof that some is born gay, as one is irrefutably born black or female…so we are comparing apples and oranges to take that debate any further.
Again, my sexuality is not paraded. I do not wear a wedding ring, I do not have a picture of my s/o anywhere but my private space, same goes for my children. What the fuck are you talking about with anniversary parties and dancing at a wedding???? Now you’re just grasping for straws…
I think all people matter, it isn’t my place to judge and condemn, but it sure as hell doesn’t mean I think we should legislate perversion just because it’s the popular trend right now. I’d really like to see a study done on the correlation between narcissism and homosexuality.
P.S., You don’t hurt my feelings by calling me a bigot, you just make yourself look like an idiot. I’m not over here quoting Bible verses, I want honest and straightforward answers and you are more concerned with an ad hominem attack than a serious discussion of the points I’ve thrown into the discussion pool. This is the problem, I ask these difficult questions and no one wants to answer, all the pro-gay voices just want to attack me. Makes for pretty weak sauce.
Take the bait.
becky1234
@Nikkidane:
At what point did I say I hate anybody? It is not my place nor my style to hate. Now, I am on this site as a means of “staying close to the enemy.” I already know how my side of the debate goes, I like to explore the other side, see how the cogs work.
Read my post above “same sex relationships exist throughout the animal kingdom” is the gay community STILL using that argument? I would have thought you could come up with something better by now. I’m no animal kingdom expert, and I don’t have time to research right now, but I would venture a guess that those species with rampant homosexuality don’t fare to well as evolution chugs along. Furthermore, have you ever seen any other vertebrates build scyscrapers, fix a toilet, write a book, shoot a gun, burn coal for heat? Sorry to break it to you sista, but we are an advanced species that should be beyond the days of just fucking anything that is present because that is all our minds are capable of.
Nikkidane
People express intimacy in many different ways: massage, kissing, rubbing noses if you’re an Eskimo, cuddling, holding hands, mutual masturbation, anal or oral sex, penile- vagininal intercourse, intercourse with a marital aid , fetish-wear, role playing, to other kinkier stuff. These practices are pretty much practiced equally among gay, straight, and bisexual and transgender people. I would say that anything that two people enjoy and mutally agree upon that is medically safe is “normal” and the more creative it is, the more likely the couple will be sexually satisfied, which is a huge asset for a relationship staying together To use a word such as “perversion” to apply to a sex act and then only apply it to gay people when it’s commonly practiced by many, if not most sexually active adults, reflects a homophobic bias. Hopefully, we’ve moved way past the point of a penis fits into the vagina so that’s where sex should end. How boring is that?
Nikkidane
@ Becky: Do a simple Google search for homosexuality within the animal kingdom. I found several sources in 30 seconds time. Yes, humans are more evolved emotionally and intellectually and hence our relationships and sexuality and gender expressions are far more complex than other animal species. Still, the fact that homosexuality exists within nature confirms that the behavior is a normal variant of animal sexuality. As far as an evolutionary advantage, there may actually be physical, social, or psychological advantages. I suppose you would have to examine each species and their unique environment to determine whether or not an advantage exists. It certainly would prevent overpopulation of a species and limit competition for food and other resources for survival.
Nikkidane
@ Becky: “Staying close to the enemy?” . And you say you are not prejudiced? Who do you think you’re kidding?
becky1234
Hey Nikki, it’s called a figure of speech AND I put it in quotations. Now you’re just an idiot playing on words.
becky1234
Hey Nikki, it’s called a figure of speech AND I put it in quotations. Now you’re just an idiot playing on words and deflecting from the intellectual side of this discussion.
MuscleModelBlog.com
@Nikkidane:
Wow, thanks for the detailed explanation of what living in Jacksonville is like. I feel like it should be of the wikipedia article, LOL! But getting back to the topic, it is sad that the opposing team has to be seen as “gay.” I also think that the letter was well-written. It calmly explained why it was offensive, and asked that the practiced by changed. I think it was handled very well.
Merv
@becky1234: So, none of your family and friends know that you’re married and have kids? If so, you would be the first straight person in the world for which that is the case. Yet, that’s exactly what you expect gay people to do.
“Hi, Jim. What did you do this weekend?”
“I went to the beach.”
“Who did you go with?”
“I can’t answer that.”
“Why not?”
“I am expected by Christians never to talk about it.”
Nikkidane
@MuscleModelBlog.com:
No problem. Just trying to respond to the Hooterville comment that I personally found very offensive.
damon459
Come on folks don’t feed the trolls it only encourages them to continue trolling.
miagoodguy
McCarthy and Uible need to take the sticks out of their asses and take a joke.
Cam
@becky1234: said…
“My mind is far from simple, and your SIMPLE explanation is wrong. Bigot is a blanket term that could cover all of those groups, given the proper circumstance. There is no scientific proof that some is born gay, as one is irrefutably born black or female…so we are comparing apples and oranges to take that debate any further.
Again, my sexuality is not paraded. I do not wear a wedding ring, I do not have a picture of my s/o anywhere but my private space, same goes for my children. What the fuck are you talking about with anniversary parties and dancing at a wedding???? Now you’re just grasping for straws…
_________________________
‘
Once again Becky you have proven what a simple mind you have. You don’t think you are a bigot because you don’t think that there is proof that people are born gay. Funny, there is religious bigotry, and yet people aren’t born catholic or Muslim, or Mormon. Gee, isn’t that funny, guess your simple mind didn’t figure that out.
As for you not wearing a wedding ring but having kids. Why not? Either you are ashamed of your marriage, or you are divorced, which Jesus specifically spoke against. Or you had children out of wedlock which, by your religions definition would make you a fallen woman. Any would make you unfit to judge others and be the bigot you are.
As for you having kids but not parading your sexuality. Sorry bigot but every time you walk out with your kids, take them to a school function etc… you are demonstrating to the world that you have had sex.
The problem with people like you Becky, is that you think everybody is stupid. You are a bigot, you hate gays, and yet you think if you say “Oh I’m not a bigot, it’s just that gays are bad etc….” that solves the problem.
At least the KKK admit they are rac ists. People like you seem to be far more stupid. You are a bigot, you hate gays, admit it or don’t if you want, but your defenses against it just make you sound sad and simple.
DarkZephyr
@becky1234: LOL you imply you are not a bigot and then call gay love “perversion”. Sweetie, history is ALWAYS going to remember you as an evil bigot. Get used to it. That is your legacy. The good news is that you are a dying breed. Soon, your kind will have died out and then everyone else will FINALLY be able to go on with their lives.
becky1234
@ Miagoodguy : did you mean sticks or dicks? Lol, I kid, I kid. Seriously, lighten up folks, a joke is a joke. We all love our parents, but the thought of them having sex is gross…no matter how ” progressive” society becomes some sexual acts will always have an ick factor, making it good joke fodder.
becky1234
Cam: Where did you get your education in logic? I want to make sure I never send my children there. This is the behavior I am talking about. Why is it that you can spew insults at me, and pass judgment, and make assumptions about my marital status, family, and religion, but if someone points the fucking kiss cam at two men on the opposing team, the fucking gay community calls for a hanging??? You cannot have your cake and eat it too.
As for darkzephyr over there from left field. I will always stand up for what I do, or do not believe in, shamelessly. I have a myriad of theories and stances, many of which you might be surprised to know. But nonetheless my legacy is not my stance on sexuality, and you really are delusional if you think you are that important. Science will either prove you are born gay, and then the gene will be sequestered since people prefer to multiply and pass on genes through childbirth, or science will prove it environmental and parents will attempt to correct it. It’s the whole biological, it exists in the animal kingdom, blah,blah,blah argument again, in a different package. Only this time showing that you, my gay friend, will eventually be weeded out of the gene pool in favor of our natural inclination to procreate.
Nikkidane
Wow! Becky you are really starting to sound like a Nazi. Do you really think that LGBT people are only valuable to society for their ability to procreate. We are not fruit flies in a Genetic Lab. LGBT people have made incredible contributions throughout history that have benefited society in pretty much every academic field: Art, Science, Philosophy, Music, Theater, Politics etc. From Alexander the Great, a famous Bisexual, to Oscar Wilde or Michaelangelo etc.
To think that weeding out LGBT people will improve society is just very sad. You obviously do not know many LGBT people.
I’m done trying to reason with you because of your hateful, intolerant, and arrogant attitude. A mind can not be changed if there is no desire for change regardless of the facts.
Nikkidane
One last point I would like to make before I leave this thread. As a Trans-woman who has spent a lifetime dealing with rejection and prejudice, I have observed that prejudice can not be changed by intellectual debate because is a rooted in the heart/ emotions. Until the heart changes, the mind will not be receptive to any intellectual arguments that can be made. The recent example of Senator Rob Portman is a classic example. Sen. Portman was a staunch opponent of Marriage Equality. Two years after his son “came out” as gay, Portman did a complete 180 because it suddenly became real for him. As Harvey Milk said: If everyone came out of the closet tomorrow, homophobia would end in no time.