Have you actually had the initiative to get off your ass and find it yourself?

It's public record, so look it up and post it if it's that important to you.

Or are you too busy "drumming in the woods" or whatever you "IronJohn" guys do?

Put your money where your mouth is, pal.

[ August 27, 2004, 01:40 PM: Message edited by: danimal ]

I said it would be best to ignore Iron John, who is trying to get a rise with his inane comments. Reporters in NC have already seen the complaint and our answer and written about them, so his assertion that somehow is ficton has been disproved. There is no need to engage him in back and forth since it only gives some legitimacy to what he says.

And as for why we removed the pic: The story made clear that we have a longstanding policy to remove photos when asked for whatever reason (some people just hate the way they look).

I've been doing Google News searches to see if the story is spreading and at the moment, the Gay By Proxy link that in this thread is the most recent on the list. So far it's not going nationwide.

Cyd's been on Sirius OutQ radio a time or two. Perhaps he or Jim can get some time to talk about it on one of their shows?

Well, I did say LEAN liberal...and if you know G105, that station is known for doing things and gimmick promotions that are well...how do you say...redneck. :-) A couple years back they'd even have contests that would get people to do things on their morning commutes that would often land them in trouble with the law for minor infractions. Go figure.

Just FYI, the story did make it ESPN's Page 2, through Bill Simmons' intern.

It's at the bottom of the page.

The heterosexual pride parade attracted only 80 people, and there was no incident. I guess this does prove a certain open-mindedness amongst the people in NC...as a radio-station stunt it barely raised an eyebrow.

Outsports being sued article in Echo magazine (gay Phoenix publication).

Also on Sports Designer blog. (scroll down to August 17/04)

The AP article via Dallas Morning News.

Hi, I moved this topic to About Outsports instead of About the Board, since this has nothing to do with how the board runs.

Thanks again for all of your contributions, but we still need help.

Jim:

I know a lot of us have contributed, but, when doing so, I wasn't sure how much to contribute, etc.

Why don't you keep us updated with the tote board and let us know if we need to make additional contributions.

Yeah, Jim, I agree. It'd be nice to see if there's a correlation between those who post and those who contribute. No need to post amounts given - although I'm personally not adverse to it - but I'd like to see who's True Blue and who's freeloading.

Do you think it's a good idea for, say, a church to post a weekly list of churchgoers who contribute and attend and those who don't contribute but still attend.

Sorry gmginsfo, that's a sick idea. Not to mention an invasion of privacy. But then again, you're a repug, so you have no problem with that.

To tell the truth, I'm not contributing but will continue to post. I view Outsports as a commercial enterprise that should be responsible for its own fiscal burdens. Sorry if that offends anyone, but that's free enterprise. Surely as a repug, you would agree with that gmginsfo, huh?

If that were the case, you should be paying for the privilege of posting. Outsports is provided as a minimally commercialized forum for gay sports fans. To call it a commercial enterprise demonstrates a lack of understanding of both the web and commerce in general.

That said, I haven't contributed as yet either. Sorry, bit of a cash crunch at the moment. As soon as I'm a bit more liquid, I'll throw some bucks on the pile.

Which features the picture large as life. It would not have shown up in The Dallas Morning News or the AP wire next to a story about the guy suing to prove he's straight if he hadn't sued. Does this guy not get that he's made more of an ass of himself than that photo ever did?

Bill, please knock off the snide asides about a fellow board member who only has Outsports' best interest at heart and is someone I value dearly. Save any political comments for the P&R forum. Thank you.

I think I was misinterpreted. I certainly wasn't calling for a list of who contributed and how much each one did. I was simply asking for a "goal" board showing how close to the $10,000 we are. If we are at $2,500, then those who had contributed to see we were still far behind and making an additional contribution to reach our goal.

Please, guy, I would never ask for an accountability statement that could possibly embarrass some. There are those of us on this board who can contribute more easily than others. However, this in no way diminishes the value of those posters who can't contribute.

I hope that clears things up.

With a snide comment and a link to Outsports, I might add.

Today's print edition of Bay Windows, Boston's gay newsweekly of record, carries the AP wire report on the lawsuit (as well as a re-write of some Outsports and AP stories on the eleven openly gay Olympians).

Just because I misunderstood it, I'm assuming others did as well. The snide comment was directed at moron boy, not Outsports.

Thank you, jq, yes, ESPN's comment is directed at Chris Harbinson.

I'll second that. Something like those United Way thermometer billboards. :cool:

Just so it's not like "pledge week" on PBS.

Nice attitude. If Outsports were indeed a "commercial enterprise" you'd be paying a fee as your share of those "fiscal burdens." Here's a clue: you're not, because it's Jim and Cyd's labor of love. That you so cavalierly espouse such an uncaring perspective really speaks volumes.

They could cover expenses and actually make a profit if they had a business plan and went after advertisers that target the gay community, such as major liquor brands. Just a few juicy contracts would do it. I know this because I plan and buy advertising media properties for a living.

They really should redesign their homepage to allow some skyscraper banners and other units that are becoming more and more popular with interactive advertisers. This niche target of gay, predominantly male, high income and very dedicated users of the site should be able to attract quite a few more advertisers.

[ September 03, 2004, 06:35 PM: Message edited by: billsf ]

Here's the flaw in your plan BillSF:

Jim and Cyd have standards. If they were just in this for money, they could have sold out long ago to scumbags who offered them a pile of money. I've heard about some of those offers and the basic theme was: we'll give you a pile of money but you have to give up control. f**k that. But it's their blessing and their curse that they have scruples and want to do this the right way. If they started doing those PATHETIC ads like I see on the New York Times site, for example, where the ad for some shit car or crap booze covers the whole page when you go to it until you click "Close", I would never visit this site again. Sure, they could go for the mythical High End Gay, but to hell with that, those people are transients, always moving on to the Next Big Thing.

We were talking
About the love that's grown so cold
And the people
Who gain the world and lose their souls
They don't know, they can't see
Are you one of them?

[ September 04, 2004, 02:15 AM: Message edited by: Jim Allen ]

Love that Jim Allen!

Wow, late to the game here—I just found out about the lawsuit. My check is already in an envelope and waiting for me to get my lazy rear down to the post office. (The last time I tried to make a donation via PayPal I got soaked for a 30% transaction fee, so the old-fashioned way will have to do.)

Jim and Cyd, keep up the good work and never let nonsense like this lawsuit discourage you from valuable journalistic service you provide!

Sorry Jim Allen, but your thoughts are flawed. Jim and Cyd could easily earn far more revenue from advertisers without sacrificing the perceived quality of the website. They set the standards for banner advertising and stick with it. As far as I'm concerned, they've already gone overboard with all the pop ups they allow! Thank god I've got a pop up blocker.

Just like magazines can limit who advertises in their magazine and what sizes they can run, an astute webmaster can do the same.

I'm just offering some advice here. I want to see the site sustain itself just as much as anyone else. But that's not going to happen by begging for $25 contributions from a fairly small universe of core users!

BillSF, I'd love to see a link or two to sites that do what you suggest. I strongly suspect that it's not what Cyd and Jim want to do.

Sometimes there's a brief interstitial page you have to click through before getting to the homepage, but I think CBS Marketwatch is very well designed. Lots of opportunities for advertisers, but tons of space for content.

CBSMarketwatch

I'm not saying it's the ultimate. I'm not a web designer. All I'm saying is that it is possible to balance content and billboards in order to increase revenue without letting the advertising control the site.

Jim Allen,
Well said! Thanks...

I'll also echo it....what Jim and Cyd do is amazing. This all started as a labor of love, and despite the fact that this site has grown incredibly (well, I might add) and has provided an amazing service to all of its readers, regular or not, it remains a premier sports site--the gay angle aside, even. I helped plan the first conference because I believe strongly in this site, and will continue to help all I can. From all of you regulars who have been around from the beginning (remember the first boards??) to all of you who are now a part of the Ousports family, we need to continue to support Jim and Cyd in this endeavor!

From the Chicago Free Press (also on Page 2 of the print edition), the last item in the "StINC" column ("News, Gossip and Other Musings"):
Here's the link but it may "expire" by the time you click there (it's undated, so they probably overwrite it every week with new content).

"Have you actually had the initiative to get off your ass and find it yourself? (danimal)

I am not the one 'extending my hat' - for charity!

eek! eek! eek!


_______


"It's public record, so look it up and post it if it's that important to you." (danimal)


it's NOT that important to me... I've for the most part, let this issue go!


I wasn't the one that started the thread... "Please give me you money ($$$) - we f*cked up... we defamed a heterosexual by pegging him as a homo"...


How's this...

Let's talk about sports!


The Mets Suck! Jim is a predator... And I can understand how a 'straight guy' - would be emotionally distressed!


That's why there is a lawsuit! (as weak as it is)

______


It's called karma: If 'OUTSPORTS' covered "SPORTS" w/o a 'gay angle' - gee 'isn't he well endowed' - there wouldn't be a problem...


There wouldn't be a lawsuit...


_____


If Jim doesn't care - I don't care!


It's as simple as that!


.

Wow. Maybe Outsports will consider doing a piece on gay roid rage.


At least the banter keeps this thread in the Active topics. :cool:

Oh so that explains your double digit post count to this thread. So if this issue was important you'd be replying more frequently?


Well I've had many people assume I was straight. Perhaps I should sue? (Okay maybe not many, but a couple for sure! Okay, okay it was just the one deaf, dumb and blind kid. But he sure played a mean pinball. )

Seriously, nowhere was it implied this guy is gay anymore than any of the countless other pictures of world famous athletes on Outpsorts implies they are gay. If this is your understanding of the situation, well, let's just say it helps explain a whole lot.


These are the only statements you've made this entire thread that I can actually agree with. You especially may want to follow your own advice to "talk about sports" as clearly much else clutters your attic a bit too much.

I'm not sure I understand this. What Outrsports did was wrong, but the lawsuit is "weak." So it should or shouldn't have been filed? Jim wasn't the one who took the picture, so how is he a "predator?" I didn't see one picture in the marathon gallery (or any gallery reporting a sporting event) that focused on the endowment of an athlete. Certainly the photo in question did not. So are you saying that any individual pictured on this website should be upset by the association unless he or she were gay? Are you saying there should be no photographs of sporting events at all, or just no photos of "straight" events and that the site should restrict itself to photos of sporting events sponsored by gay organizations?

Especially the kind induced by drumming in the woods. He's either a poser or deranged. Or so desperate for attention that he doesn't care what kind. Pathetic really.

What did Outsports do that is wrong? :confused:

Having had a problem with on-line identity theft, is there an address to send a check for the defense fund?

Or maybe jqueer is saying whatisface thinks Outsports did something wrong, rather than saying Outsports did something wrong. The post seems to be a dissection of the quoted pos(t)er's logic (or lack of it).

Back on topic ... a mailing address would be helpful for those who prefer to send checks.

Outsports LLC / Legal
4688 Cleland Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90065

For those who prefer contributing to the Outsports Legal Defense Fund electronically, the PayPal link may be found here.

Why is the big red "Outsports Targeted" box gone from the home page? Seems to me like it ought to remain, like the flags indicating a hurricane warning stay up until the danger has passed. wink

Good question. I couldn't even find the story on the homepage. :confused:

Maybe they got enough money? Lawsuit dropped? Forced to remove it? Is this a good sign or a bad sign? What gives? Inquiring minds... wink

chris harbinson is hot!

kiddin' aside, this is outrageous.

The story is still there -- it's in the column under the date and Jock Talk/Picture This links. I think if the suit were dropped we'd hear about it quickly.

Is there anything to report on the lawsuit front? I recall there was a motion to dismiss that was supposed to be heard?

I don't know, but thanks for bringing us back on topic. :cool:

I received a very nice Thank You note from Jim today, which was totally unnecessary and unexpected given the paltry amount I sent. However, I was glad to know it got there OK and I really appreciated the acknowledement, thoughtfulness and great manners. Outsports is a class act all the way around!

Now, when is this going to be put to rest? Soon I hope.

Thanks for a great site!

FYI: Outsports is not able to comment on the lawsuit at the present time. We will post more updated information when we are able. We are no longer in need of any further contributions at this point. Thanks so much for all your incredible support.

Any news on the lawsuit over the past month?

Someone called into Sirius OutQ while Cyd was on and asked. He said they are unable to make any comment on it.

It's funny that this guy doesn't want publicity or anything, just like Darva Conger:

"I'm tired of all this publicity, I just want my private life back, so what I'm gonna do is appear on every talk show I can think of, pose for Playboy, and be seen everywhere"

Glad we could help. :cool: