After the city of Houston voted to legalize discrimination against all things LGBTQ this week, questions immediately arose as to whether or not the NFL, which had been planning to hold the 2017 Super Bowl there, would remove the honor from the city.
Well, that question has been answered.
A spokesman for the NFL announced that everything will go ahead as planned, despite calls from several gay rights advocates and a change.org petition urging it to relocate.
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“This will not affect our plans for Super Bowl LI in 2017,” Brian McCarthy told Pro Football Talk. “We will work closely with the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee to make sure all fans feel welcomed at our events.”
Oh, we feel so much better now.
McCarthy added: “Our policies emphasize tolerance and inclusiveness, and prohibit discrimination based on age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other improper standard.”
Related: 24 Hours After Legalizing Discrimination, Houston Is Already Feeling The Backlash
Of course, this isn’t the first time the NFL has found itself wrapped up in politics involving LGBTQ rights.
In 2014, the organization said it was considering moving the 2015 SuperBowl out of Arizona if lawmakers there passed a “religious freedom” law designed to legalize discrimination against gay people. That law ended up being vetoed by then-Governor Jan Brewer, which proved to be a win-win for the NFL. Not only did it get to look like the good guys for sticking up for equality, but it didn’t have to lift a finger.
Well, looks like that won’t be the case for Houston, where it was voters, not a gaggle of right-wing legislators, who okayed the discrimination, based on false claims by antigay activists.
Evidently, the NFL isn’t actually willing to put its money where its mouth is. Let’s hope this is not the end of the game.
Related: Beyoncé Accused Of Abandoning Gays In Their Time Of Need
h/t: Pro Football Talk
drivendervish
I’m surprised by this quick, and tone deaf decision by the NFL and hope they realize their mistake and change venues quickly.
moldisdelicious
Even though I agree we should be on the asses of those that are doing institutional discrimination, we should take time to look at ourselves because many gay folks are on that bullshit too and we embrace our own bigotry, telling those that are offended to live with it. We don’t mind the ignorance we keep to ourselves,saying it’s who we are and how we feel but yet when folks are homophobic towards us, we’re ready to flip out and say that’s wrong. That to me is a red flag. Not everyone does it but more than enough people do it where it affects those within the community.
sweven
I already signed and shared on Facebook the petition urging to relocate the Super Bowl. Why rewarding hate? We have to take action, so lets all of us sign the petition and sharing it through Facebook. it takes a click to change the world! blessings!
FamilyinTex
I’m so disappointed. Not because I think it’s a justified punishment for defeating HERO (even though I voted for HERO) but because hosting the SUPERBOWL is a money-losing PITA for most cities that host it. I wish NFL would move the event, just for that reason.
Kieran
You really think the NFL is going to pull out of Houston over a transgender not being able to use the Ladies room? The smart thing (especially in the South) would be to get a strong gay anti-discrimination legislation passed first before we start demanding rights for the transgender community.
Glücklich
FUCK!
OK, I have a pretty good understanding of the tourism industry and could kinda see the NFL thinking it’s a huge logistical challenge, a lot of people may have already planned to travel to Houston…I even looked to see if there were similar precedents, knowing Denver had once won the right to host the winter games but voters balked, Denver backed out and those games were sent to Austria instead. But that time horizon was several years.
I’m still in favor of the NFL yanking the Superbowl but moving it up the road to DFW would be a more palatable option to the league. It’d still be in TX, there’s an existing stadium of adequate size, and DFW is not un-driveable from Houston.
BJ McFrisky
To think the NFL would change their Super Bowl venue to appease the PC crowd demanding unisex bathrooms is as laughable as the claim that voters rejected these measures due to “false claims by anti-gay activists.”
Not everyone feels like a unisexual male-female hybrid, and very few people—gay or straight—are okay with sharing the loo.
Mack
I think we ought to contact the advertisers of the Super Bowl and let them know our displeasure. If they advertise then we should boycott the advertisers UNLESS their ads feature gay people.
SeeingAll
I wouldn’t have expected the Super Bowl to be pulled out of Houston. Somehow I doubt the large gay population is moving out in droves now either.
Daniel-Reader
So how exactly does the NFL get away with discriminating in employment in regions with human rights laws? Where is the evidence they do not discriminate based on sexual orientation? Where are the out players?
Arconcyyon
Sucesss is NFL Sport NFL ! They very atletas super mega beautifluying blak and writey our my super mega dotadioun the pennis is very big saletiosiun glub glub glub appel sex appel NFL Americam NFL .
woodin
Surprised, heck no! Just remember it wasn’t until great public outcry that Roger Goodell did anything about the women beating players in the league and he was laughable with his methods.
Time for corporate America to take a stand again.
Giancarlo85
@Kieran: Lovely. I’m not surprised a gay republican brownnoser like you would be perfectly fine with a watered down compromise. That’s all you want to do. You need to impress your straight republican friends afterall!
aliengod
There’s no reason to pull the Super Bowl from Houston simply because they voted to keep men out of women’s restrooms. This has nothing to do with LGB.