Miami Herald - February 16, 2007
David J. Neal, dneal@MiamiHerald.com

Which is just one reason to say "please" to any apology from former Heat guard Tim Hardaway's for saying, "I hate gay people" during a Wednesday radio interview that also included Hardaway's admission that, basically, he couldn't deal with a teammate known to be gay.

Thus did Hardaway give voice to the feelings shared by the majority of professional athletes and by many in America. Nothing wrong with that. At least he was honest. In America, it's your right to be a bigot so long as it doesn't infringe on someone else's right to just be. When we lose the right to bigotry, we no longer live in America.

MONEY COMES FIRST

That's an America where capitalism holds a daily referendum in which the people's voice can be heard via the wallet. The NBA, conscious that gays and lesbians buy season tickets and LeBron James jerseys, too, distanced themselves from Hardaway much quicker than its daughter, the WNBA, embraced the lesbian presence in its fandom. The dress-coded NBA's reflex is to mean no offense to any potential paying customer.

Not that I agree with Hardaway's opinion one iota. It's an insult to some good neighbors, some close friends and members of my immediate blood family. But it's really hard to get worked up over gay hatred by a retired professional athlete. As a group, we're not talking about the most learned or sophisticated people. I'm more reminded of some ironies and incongruities:

SHARING SPACE

* NFL and NBA players romp happily about the South Beach playground. It's axiomatic that South Beach's allure to a visiting team one night is worth a few points to the Heat the next night. South Beach might no longer be the place for the jet set, but it's still the place to be for many athletes. Funny thing is, a healthy portion of South Beach's vibe and energy comes from the local gay population said athletes generally would eschew as teammates. When it comes to acceptance of homosexuality, South Beach ranks as one of the top places in the world.

Anybody else reminded of the white folks who used to slide up into Harlem clubs and speakeasies during the Renaissance?

* Hardaway is a well-conditioned guy, a former world-class athlete. Still, Mr. I Hate Gay People might want to avoid those South Florida gyms in which most of the clientele is gay with biceps bigger than their dogs, average bench press is "Toyota," and tolerance for intolerance is zero. They might just crossover dribble him into being Tiny Tim.

Heck, Hardaway could bring that attitude to some condo association meetings and come out Some Reassembly Required.

* Forget the false characterization of the NBA as a bunch of off-the-corner thugs, a broad brush stereotype based on a few thugs, but even more unfamiliar hairstyles, attire, body art and speech patterns. After all, former NFL quarterback Art Schlichter has done more time than any three Portland Jail Blazers combined.

That said, it does seem kind of ridiculous when anyone from the NBA claims they couldn't handle having a gay teammate.

Some teams have former felons or guys who would be former felons had their basketball ability not gotten them a pass. There are players whose entourages have more guns than good sense.

Nor do you hear of anyone saying they don't want to share a locker room with a seed-spreader leaving children and single mamas in multiple road cities. Guys such as Shawn Kemp have done more to damage the urban neighborhoods than Doogie Howser (recently self-outed Neil Patrick Harris).

* Speaking of the black community, Hardaway's comments sit indicative of the myopia that has kept the black community from dealing with the needlessly excessive damage of AIDS.

Whether it's a product of conservatively interpreted organized religion in the black community or a chesty backlash to the way slavery and years of Jim Crow attempted to emasculate the black man, too many in our community shun discussing anything seen as linked with homosexuality (except good hair stylists).

Soon after announcing he was HIV positive, Magic Johnson felt the need to publicly state that he contracted HIV from heterosexual contact. Magic is the face of living with HIV. Unfortunately, the faces of dying from AIDS soon will be black also.

070216
MH070209

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2007. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2007. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .