What do you think of Tim Hardaway (former NBA star) saying he "hates gay people?"?

Question

From the AP:

"You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people," he said while a guest on Sports Talk 790 The Ticket. "I'm homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."

The discussion was sparked by last week's announcement that retired NBA center John Amaechi is gay.

The host asked Hardaway how he would interact with a gay teammate.

"First of all, I wouldn't want him on my team. And second of all, if he was on my team, I would, you know, really distance myself from him because, uh, I don't think that is right. I don't think he should be in the locker room while we are in the locker room."

If he did find out that a teammate was gay, Hardaway said he would ask for the player to be removed from the team.

"Something has to give," Hardaway said. "If you have 12 other ballplayers in your locker room that's upset and can't concentrate and always worried about him in the locker room.

So Beavan, if a white person just inserted "black person" instead of homosexual, that would be OK to you as well?

Answer 1

I hate when people equate homosexuality to race. A gay person can hide there sexual pref. a person of color can't hid their color. A gay person being discriminated against can never be the samething that blacks, latinos and jews went through. Its not the same. Homosexuality is not a civil right in the same fashion as race. Sexually preference is a choice race isn't. Quit saying that this is equal to the struggle that people of color and jews have gone through in this world. Gays choose to be gay. By biological design a man is meant to be with a woman. A man plus a man? the parts don't fit. A woman plus a woman? The parts don't fit. In a locker room a gay man is still a man. Period. He has to be in a locker room for men, not gay men, but men. No man who is straight is going to feel comfortable with a gay man showering and changing closes in the same room.

Answer 2

He said what many people unfortunately think but never say out loud. I have a brother-in-law who is gay. I've known him since I was 15 years old. I married his sister who has since passed away. He's a really good guy. Has a good heart and he's always there if ever anyone needed anything.

I suppose most people don't have that kind of contact with gay people so they don't really understand what's it's all about. What Hardaway said I'm sure came from his heart. It's how he feels. There will be people who agree and people who disagree. One thing is for sure, he has killed any chance of getting a renewed contract with ESPN or any other sports network. They won't touch him with a ten foot pole now!!

Answer 3

yea im a former athlete and i would never wanna be in a locker room with someone gay. there should be seperate arrangements for that any more then theyd let a guy change in a locker roon with women. i think being gay is wrong plain and simple. I dont believe tim hardaway should of said i hate gay people however i understand that its wrong and shouldnt be accepted. Now i am not saying lets go get all the gay people however we should not be made to accept this immoral action. its wrong its biblically wrong. I almost think they should ban it from sports there is no place for it

Answer 4

Hey, at least he is honest. What he said is harsh but this is America, we have the freedom to express our opinions no matter how offensive they are.

Keep in mind that when someone is that blunt and straight forward, you have to respect that because you just can't find honest people these days. Also, because he is so open and up front, that actually makes it easier to explain your personal opinions, find flaws in both viewpoints and build a bridge of understanding.

It would be worng to hate Tim Hardaway, you just need to be open minded enough to at least learn why he fells that way and present him a different belief system.

Answer 5

If you read this article:

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006475377

It's pretty obvious from the quotes that Hardaway is just some ignorant guy who happened to learn how to play basket ball - and Amaechi is an eloquent, caring, intelligent speaker - who also knows how to play basketball.

My opinion is that homophobia and ignorance go hand in hand.

I do, however, sort of understand that straight men might not want gay men in the same locker room. I would not want a man (somebody possibly attracted to my body) or a lesbian (somebody possibly attracted to my body) in the locker room with me. Of course - there were lesbians in the locker room with me when I was in school - and it wasn't the end of the world - so maybe it's not that big of a deal. It's something to ponder.

Answer 6

This is the United States of America.

This is ONE freedom that every United States citizen should have right to express. Unfortunately there are repercussions for expressing personal beliefs that go against the main stream public.

On the one hand we have an individual who can say, “I am gay and proud of it.”
On the other we have an individual who says, “I hate gays.”

Why should either of these people be ridiculed for their beliefs, opinions, or convictions. The statements by either person did not lead to physical harm of the other individual.

I personally have gay friends, but they don’t alert the media about it.

People have the right in this country to say just about anything. Why should we silence one mans voice over another. We should not.

We should ALSO take into consideration that by those statements they should not have reprisal by showing favor to one or the other. For if you do, you are then saying to the public. “You do not have the right to state your opinion.”

If that were the case, we would still have slaves.

If that were the case, Martin Luther King would not have had a Speech.

Remember, Patrick Henry put his life on the line for stating in public. “Give me Liberty or give me death.” That was a public outcry that was a hanging offence in his day.

You may not agree with one side or the other. In my eyes, both of them are right. Both of them are wrong.

Answer 7

I think Timmy Hardaway was saying what he truly feels, and he later apologized and retracted for his comments. I still think he should have not apologized. I bet you 95% of the NBA players or any other sport feel the same way he does about gays and having them in the locker room. Hell if I new a teammate of mine was gay and was taking showers with us it would bother me.
Homosexuality is a sin in the Bible and they all gays will pay come judgement day. Amaechi wants to make big money off this "coming out" and look at all the attention he has drawn. He wants to PROFIT off his homosexuality, becuase he is probably flat out broke or has little means of income if he is rantin n ravin about taking it up the hershey highway.

But to answer your question Tim Hardaway is saying what 90% of the people are feeling but dont want to comment on.

Answer 8

It's unfortunate that freedom of speech is so controlled in this country. First Tim speaks his mind, then affraid of losing potential money from the NBA tries to rescend his statements. Later the NBA confirms he will no longer be a representative of the league. Where's Karl Malone at, I remember he made similar statements about Magic Johnson having HIV 15 years ago.

Answer 9

Thank you Mr. Hardaway for the gift of shame. People with attitudes like that make me sick.

Homosexuality is not a "black or white" (unintentional pun) issue. There are a lot of straight people out there who love and support their gay friends and family too. I am one of them.

Its very sad to see someone who faced such hatred only the spread more.

Answer 10

I agree 100%. Being gay is unnatural, immoral,and just plain wrong. I think that it is a shame that someone can speak out against a such a despicable, disgusting lifestyle like homosexuality and catch hell over it. The fact is, being gay is not normal and a person should not be ostracized and ridiculed for believing so. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah. Obviously Tim Hardaway, like the majority of real men in this country, is not comfortable with the idea of being around a gay person. This country is confusing the fact that heterosexuality is the basis for all life, and homosexuality is an abnormal aboration that should be viewed accordingly.

Answer 11

I'm not sure what to think about it because now I have heard reports that he never said those remarks. I think he was kinda stupid to say those things but you can say whatever he wants since this is America. But to say you want one of your teammates to be removed because they are gay is very insensitive and he should close his mouth and not saying anything else for awhile.