Gay Taunting in Football

[+ purplekow]

Odell Beckham Junior is a star receiver for the NY Giants. He has been suspended by the league for one game as he took an illegal and dangerous hit on another player with whom he has been struggling with most of the game. Beckham says that the Carolina Panthers came out before the game and pointed baseball bats at him and then during the game, constantly barraged him with homophobic slurs. Even after the game, the Panthers in interviews said that Beckham likes to "prance"around the field "like a ballerina" and acts in a feminine manner. Beckman has not been identified as an out gay man.

Should a straight man be offended by being berated as gay?

Which is worse, the response or the presumed inciting taunts?

[+ sync]

Apparently, there is a lot of insecurity within the Carolina Panthers.

[+ purplekow]

Apparently, there is a lot of insecurity within the Carolina Panthers.

They are undefeated and perhaps the best team on the field at the moment. Though the Giants came back from 35-7 to tie the game at 35 only to lose on a last second field goal.

[+ azdr0710]

sorry to be dense, but is there some sort of symbolism with baseball bats pointing at him?.....I can think of a couple "meanings" (sodomy or that he's only good enough for less-tough baseball), but don't know for sure....thanks

[+ WmClarke]

sorry to be dense, but is there some sort of symbolism with baseball bats pointing at him?.....I can think of a couple "meanings" (sodomy or that he's only good enough for less-tough baseball), but don't know for sure....thanks

I would take that as a threat to beat him up. Probably just an idle threat, but not very nice.

[+ quoththeraven]

IDGAF about Beckham's gender presentation, who he sleeps with or lusts after, or what a bunch of jerks thinks is an effective way of baiting him. Homophobic slurs and comments about gender presentation should be off limits.

 

I'm fine with him being penalized as long as any inappropriate inciting acts are too. Not all insults can or should be banned, but insults based on race, sexuality, or gender presentation should be. So should implicit threats of off-field violence.

[+ Truereview]

And hence why I hate sports today (the cultural norms need some major revisiting - although it is getting slightly better). It pisses me off we condone the culture in sports bc of the entertainment value. Soap box warning goes off. Read the following at your discretion:

 

I used to play soccer in school, and being openly gay, I got bullied incessantly, not really bc I was gay, but bc I was good. The negative reinforcement (even by my own coaches) actually made me play harder, more aggressively and ultimately better, but not better in my inside. I gave it up when I got to college. Even today, I deal with the emotional toll...as you all have probably noticed, if I'm taunted, I get really bitchy, and if I see someone is bullied or treated unfairly, I'm like a dog with a bone seeking reparations (even unconsciously). I'm trying to get better. All that to say: IMHO, anyone should be offended by being berated, and the inciting behavior and the response are equally bad.

[+ glennnn]

And hence why I hate sports today (the cultural norms need some major revisiting - although it is getting slightly better). It pisses me off we condone the culture in sports bc of the entertainment value. Soap box warning goes off. Read the following at your discretion:

 

I used to play soccer in school, and being openly gay, I got bullied incessantly, not really bc I was gay, but bc I was good. The negative reinforcement (even by my own coaches) actually made me play harder, more aggressively and ultimately better, but not better in my inside. I gave it up when I got to college. Even today, I deal with the emotional toll...as you all have probably noticed, if I'm taunted, I get really bitchy, and if I see someone is bullied or treated unfairly, I'm like a dog with a bone seeking reparations (even unconsciously). I'm trying to get better. All that to say: IMHO, anyone should be offended by being berated, and the inciting behavior and the response are equally bad.

 

You could have been describing my high school sports experience, except I played basketball. I was small and quick and attracted many fouls every game. I helped the team with 12 to 20 points per game, because I NEVER missed a free throw, but my coach asked me to quit (he said out of concern for my bruised and bloodied body. I thought because he knew I was gay) I refused to quit and they HAD to give me a varsity letter, because I was really good and the principal insisted. I've never played, nor watched, any team sports since. Be as bitchy as you want. I love that you support the under dog. You are a mensch!

[+ purplekow]

Supposedly the Panthers use the bats as props before the game (which is illegal actually) but in this case they were supposedly unnecessarily close to Beckham during the pre-game warm up and were yelling at him that they were bringing the wood. Take that as you will.

[+ sync]

Apparently, there is a lot of insecurity within the Carolina Panthers.

 

They are undefeated and perhaps the best team on the field at the moment. Though the Giants came back from 35-7 to tie the game at 35 only to lose on a last second field goal.

 

The insecurity to which I was referring is not relative to their athletic abilities.

[Samai139]

Should a straight man be offended by being berated as gay?

Which is worse, the response or the presumed inciting taunts?

 

I'd wait for a straight man on this forum to respond but that might take some time. For me, yes a man, straight or gay or bi or whatever, should be offended because he is being berated for something he is not. Yes, the mature,secure man would ignore the taunts and get on with the practice/game but apparently Mr. Beckham is neither mature or secure in his own skin.

 

Which is worse? Neither, they are equally juvenile and that's perhaps when they were learnt.

[instudiocity]

Should a straight man be offended by being berated as gay?

Which is worse, the response or the presumed inciting taunts?

 

I'd wait for a straight man on this forum to respond but that might take some time. For me, yes a man, straight or gay or bi or whatever, should be offended because he is being berated for something he is not. Yes, the mature,secure man would ignore the taunts and get on with the practice/game but apparently Mr. Beckham is neither mature or secure in his own skin.

 

Which is worse? Neither, they are equally juvenile and that's perhaps when they were learnt.

Berating anyone (other than your sub) isn't acceptable.