John was also on Pardon the Interuption today. today's show isn't online at ESPN.com yet but check for it later or tomorrow on ESPN.com and click the VIDEO link.

So Cyd wants to inject estrogen into the men's game, eh?

That's the funniest stupidest thing I've heard today....where would be without freaks like that? Better off, I'm sure..

I saw this interview and he mentioned that the only player to ever ask him if he was gay was Greg Ostertag. Then what he said stunned me. He said that Ostertag was one of the players who would be ok with him being gay.

If I had to draw a picture of a gay-accepting NBA player, it wouldn't be Greg Ostertag. Talk about going up against sterotype!

This is the part of the bio for Greg Ostertag from nba.com:

It doesn't surprise me -- Ostertag is actually somewhat of a free spirit. On a dare from teammates, he once ran out on the court in his bikini underwear during halftime and did a wacked-out dance routine. There was a video of it on the Internet. It was a truly terrifying sight, but very very funny.

Hey guys. This is my firsy time posting.i saw this review of Man in the Middle. I thought you guys might like it.

Review of Amaechi's Man in the Middle

the writer is HOT!

I just finished the book on the plane last night, and was quite impressed. It is very much not about being a gay kid - not a "coming out" book at all. Rather it is a really inciteful look at one man's preparation and dedication to a sport (one he didn't love, but was a ticket to a better life), and the added burden he had of being gay and having to hide it. I thought it was a great insider's view of life in the pros, and even better because it wasn't the view of the superstar, who we've seen too many times before. The struggle to stay in the league, the travails of playing in Europe, etc. were all just fascinating.

Amaechi gets endorsement deal.

This is great news, a starting point for our community.

Another step in the right direction. A couple of more stories like this and maybe it will lessen the fear amongst gay closeted athletes that they will suffer financially for coming out. Mark Cuban might have been right after all.

Poor Tim Hardaway is looking for a second chance. He now says he wants to prove to people that he doesn't hate gays, even though that is exactly what he said. Douche!



And this quote doesn't sound TOO bitter, does it?



So he wasn't interested in what Amaechi had to say but he thought the rest of the world cared what he had to say when he was only asked the question because of Amaechi's book?

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2798002

here is an interview with Vibe.com. I'm surprised an urban/hip-hop outlet would interview John. This is a good sign for the black community and the comments are positive.

http://www.vibe.com/news/news_headlines/20...echi_interview/

also the guy who interviewed him does a funny question and answer session.

http://claycane.blogspot.com/2007/03/john-...on-vibecom.html

Any new rumors about active NBA players coming out yet? If John can get these interviews and endorsements, think about what endorsements an active NBA gay player could get!

It was a month ago today that Tim Hardaway uttered the toxic comments that created a firestorm among even straight people: "I hate gay people."

Like General Pace, Hardaway is apologizing, while simultaneously making lame excuses and is quoted in this morning's paper: "I'm looking for a second chance and trying to clean up my image. I haven't been in trouble with drugs or guns."

Well, you know, unlike the rest of us law-abiding citizens, he desires reward for that.

I am experiencing some sympathy for Hardaway in the same way that I use to experience it for a cousin who was extremely clumsy and awkward physically. Hardaway's dificiency is intellectual. That is not to be insulting, just factual.

He can not understand how to mentally extricate himself from a homophobic philosophy that has poisoned the thoughts of many more intelligent men: General Peter Pace comes most quickly to mind.

I think his first act should be a personal apology and talk with John Amaechi who, among other things, has some training in psychology. The specialty of Child psychology might be especially useful.

Women have played pop-psychologist (or should I say Mom-psychologist) to their spouses/boyfriends/mates since the beginning of time. They are often ahead of men in emotional development. Apparently the women in his life demure to his homophobia, whether or not they agree with it.

Amaechi has been the target of much of the contempt generated by Hardaway's comments and should be the first to benefit from any change of heart.

But it will take a man to take that kind of initiative, from Hardaway's perspective. And so far he has behaved like the young boys I remember: all bravado and "team spirit" until the team tells him he is wrong.

That just shows the compassion you have for our straight brothers, who insult and revile us gays, sportinlife.

I suppose you have compassion for the Nazis who exterminated gays in their concentration camps, also? "They were raised that way."

New Jersey is the latest state ordered by its Supreme Court to afford equal rights to gays. I know the major religions of the world want to place gays into positions of permanent subjugation and discrimination, with permanently impaired rights to basic freedoms, including the right to life (in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and many other countries), liberty (in many countries which imprison gays), and the pursuit of happiness (in almost all countries).

Sometimes, the Stockholm syndrome sets in, even among gays. I understand, but please beware of identification with the oppressors.

Just read this & it's quite interesting!

Let's see if it's actually true.

Sounds suspiciously like the whole gay NJ Net/Jason Kidd divorce drama... and I do think the two are linked, just my hunch. Not saying Jason is gay, but the wife supposedly was threatening to go public with some dirty laundry on some teammates.

Great Randy Boyd interview on Outsports' front page today:


Must buy his book...

My take on Amaechi

First...Thank you for coming out. I think it is GREAT.

What I have read...and it hasn't been much. But I did read his interview with WaterMark down here in Florida.....

The thing that really ticks me off, is when he says...something like people need to realize GAY MEN are NOT like JACK from Will and Grace.

One...Will and Grace is an entertainment show and it is all fictional.

But what makes Jack so BAD? He is fun loving, care free and just plain interesting.

To me saying that statement...which we have HEARD FOR YEARS....means that it is okay to be gay, if your aren't like JACK from Will and Grace.

How many of you have heard from the past years in life.....

Yeah she is a woman she is always like that...or she doesn't matter...she is the homemaker....she has no say....

Or....he is black, but he doesn't look black.....

I think I heard all about this in the 90's on a Roseanne episode.

To me...saying that about "Jack" sounds such like a negative image...just doesn't make sense.

To me he is still unsecure with who his is and only by him being himself after outing himself should already let people know..he should not have to or even think about comparing himself with a fictional character.

Which...to me and I will conclude..he is not comfortable with himself and the image he may project, and he is trying to say that he is sorry for the way people may judge him.

Like I said, I only read the interview...but when he said people need to realize gay men are not like Jack....it saddened me...because a lot of gay men are like Jack...and THAT IS OKAY.

I think it is great when celebs come out....but come out as yourself and don't talk about how "non gay" you really are...and it will be better for all.

Not all gay men are like the characters on Will & Grace. That's his point, and he's correct.

But should we not be past that point? Not all gays are JACK...some are and that is OKAY..some are not and that is OKAY...Why steroetype your own? I don't agree that is okay.

I used to be the same way...but in this day and age we should not have to stereotype against our own to make it OKAY for the public. No apologies about being gay..."I am not like Jack", come on get out of the 90's that is all I am saying.

He might just be referring to "Jack's" bad qualities."Jack" was very superficial and shallow and I personally have met waaaay too many men like "Jack" In other words it was the "if you're not pretty don't waste my time crowd" So I agree with John as well.

This controversy has come up more than once. Don't know how many of you saw the second season premiere of Bravo's "Workout" series, but this was a major point of drama when during the off-season Doug referred to another trainer, Jesse, as a "Jack" in an interview he gave with an LA-based gay publication. Of course, Jesse was really pissed-off and went off on Doug.

Perhaps we've found another use for the phrase "Jacked-Up"!

He's referring to the fact that many people think all gay guys are like Jack. He's not stereotyping our own; his point is that too many people stereotype us.

Since Will & Grace was created by a gay man, Amaechi isn't the one streotyping our own-a gay man did that. If you look at most television portrayals of gay men through history, they are showtune-loving, Cher-worshipping, sports hating, sex crazed, limp wristed bitchy queens. And since Will & Grace was probably the most visible show with a gay character, Jack is the impression that most of Middle America has of gay men.

Sure it's okay to be that way. But most of us are not like that and want to be known as such.

Yeah, John isn't saying that no gay people are like Jack, but that not all gay people are like Jack. There is a wealth of diversity among gay people. That's all he's saying.

OK...OK...I understand it a little better now...but still to me saying that about JACK form WILL AND GRACE is STILL STEREOTYPING and I don't agree.

It is like saying...I am gay, but I would never want to be a woman like many Americans think that is the case of gay men...they want to be women...but in fact the only ones that want to be women are transgenders..and that is not me, but many think that I do.

I am not like Jack...but I love people who are, because they are themselves.

I am gay but I am not a bottom....does it really matter?

Why bring up the fact the not all gays are like JACK....I think we should have been past it years ago and it is sad we are not...and it is really sad that GAYS are defending a statement like this....I don't recall Doogie saying anything like this when he came out, or the Back Street Boy said anything like this....all they said, they were comfortable who they were and were happy.

I will never let this fight go. I have thought about it for years with men coming out....Just like the gay for pay porn stars...I only do it for the money....please...you do it because you LIKE IT, POINT BLANK.

It seems to me that John Amaechi has more issues than he thinks he has...and he needs to be told this. Though I think it is a great step, but he needs to take a LARGER step and realize that saying that all gays are not like JACK from WILL AND GRACE...is hurtful and very disrespectful to A LOT of GAY MEN. Though through that statement he is not trying to reach gays...he is trying to reach straights....and to me, to become a ROLE MODEL, he should be trying to reach the gays and not the straights....because all it is saying is that you can be GAY...but just don't be JACK FROM WILL AND GRACE....and that is wrong...in my opinion.

Why not say...there are Gays like Jack and there are Gays like me...Gays are everything you may think....because it is not about the personal traits it is because of the feelings one may have...I know plenty of straight guys who primp in front of the mirror...and I don't primp as much as they do...but doing so is a personal trait...not a sexuality. And show tunes or no show tunes...which I don't like...but I listen to country, does that make me a more acceptbable Gay Man than someone who knows all the words to a musical?...I just don't get the fact that in this day and age...one is still trying to figure out what the BEST way to say I'm gay than to JUST SAY I AM GAY...GET OVER IT...

You're missing the point......

Amaechi's comments about Jack have nothing to do about what we(or he) think of when we see gay people, they're about what straight people think of when they see gay people. For generations we've been stereotyped as people that have many of the characteristics of Jack in Will and Grace.

John is simply stating that not all of us fit that stereotypical image of what gay men are supposed to be because sadly there are WAY too many out there in mainstream society who still don't recognize that.

THAT is what he is attempting to point out. Nothing more, you're reading way too much into this.

First off, let me compliment Cyd on his interview with John. I thought he got to a few points I would have liked to get to him with myself.

I took some digest my recent interview with Johm Amaechi before writing on here because I wanted to think about some of the things he said.

I came away with the impression that he could be the most well-spoken and unabashedly honest spokesman for the gay sports movement. I think he can be the guy to carry the torch on this issue in a major way, if he so chooses.

He does have other interests and a psychology practice to tend do so I am not sure how he will balance his time. Maybe he will find that activism is his "cup of tea."

Either way, I fully endorse what he's trying to do and I only wish him success in doing it.


JASON PAGE
www.jasonpage.net

The Nation (4/16/07) has a brief story about John Amaechi and his politics. His recounting of the being in the locker room at halftime during the start of the Iraq War is particularly interesting.

www.thenation.com/doc/20070416/zirin

Let me say first off, I commend everything John Amaechi has done and admire his eagerness to stand up for his beliefs.

I tried on three different occastions, twice on his website and once through a third party site to contact John. I teach a Sports In Society class at the college level and was wanting to see if it was possible to get John to visit my class by speakerphone, telanet, or any other way that would work for him. I received a phone call from a lady asking me to return her call concerning this. I left two messages that went un returned. Weeks later I received an email from a man saying his company was representing John and if I wanted him to come interact with my class of 23 it would cost $12,000.00. I explained that my college didn't have that kind of money and I didn't want a large crowd, so my students would feel more comforable asking questions and getting answers. I'm left with the immpression that John as done this just gain $$$ from this.

If we are to make ground in acceptance of gays in sports, reaching out to young people in their enviorment seems to me, to be one of the best ways for them to understand and see other aspects of this situation. I'm sorry for my class that they missed a great opportunity, we did talk extensivley about John in class as the sememster went along. I have others (a bookie, sport agent, MD's, counselors, etc.) that found it valuable to engage young people on many issues, in their enviorment, and came away with a good feeling of helping young people. As I stated in the beginning, I fully understand how busy John is and hope nothing but the best for him. This is just my experience in trying to expand the understanding of John Amaechi and others with simular issues dealing with sports in society.

It's possible, indeed likely, that John never any heard about this request. Those who've responded to you don't get paid unless he gets paid.

I would suggest trying to contact his publicist, Howard Bragman (sp?), who's interviewed here on the outsports site. John's in the spotlight right now so his time is in demand but be persistent to make sure he knows what you're asking for, and who the audience is...

It's possible, too, that many, many schools, clubs, organizations, publications etc. have asked him to speak or put in an appearance. There are only so many hours in a day. His bookers naturally thought you were booking him as a speaking engagement, for which he has a right to be paid. If you want him to call in by phone, it's still his time and money (if a long-distance call), and he needs to fit that into his schedule of other obligations for paid speaking engagements, personal appearances, other work... and all the other worthy groups, individuals and interviewers that would like to share his time.

Amaechi addresses gay Republicans

More interesting than the fact that he addresses the Log Cabin Republicans is this quote:The silence is at once deafening and telling.

With the playoffs in full swing the NBA obviously would want few distractions. But you would think that at some point it and its players will have to talk about the issue of gays in the NBA.

And hasn't he said that he knows of at least one gay pro player? Wonder if he is (they are?) among those who have suddenly stopped talking to him. Yes it does make one wonder. But then most players would rather be publicly busted for drugs or domestic abuse than be found to be gay or even communicating with an openly gay person. And we are wondering why someone would come out of the closet then go in it again.

John will be leading the Gay Pride parade in Salt Lake City.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2888661

Chicago too!

Excellent! I can't wait for Pride.

Seven months after his tirade, Tim Hardaway has become involved with the YES Institute in Miami, whose mission is "to prevent suicide and ensure the healthy development of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and all youth."

The relationship seems genuine. Good for him.

Good to hear!

A little surprising but in a good way. Certainly seems much more genuine than Isiah Washington.

Amaechi spoke at the Gay Pride Month event at the company where I work and by all accounts was the best guest they've ever had.

Most interesting occurence: an athletic, and very attractive, black guy asked the usual question about how he expected his teammates to not be distracted by Amaechi's sexual orientation had he come out while playing since, in the questioner's words, it would be a detriment to team cohesion for one of them to be dishonest about his sexual practices.

Perhaps the questioner had read James LeBron's response to Amaechi's coming out and agreed with it.

Of course John Amaechi knocked it out of the park, or should I say slam-dunked it, responding with a slew of logical arguements that should have left the questioner slinking in his seat. The one I best recall was his relating how he knew of many of his teammates who were having numerous women in their rooms at away games when he knew that the teammate was married. Of course this would be "different" for them because they are perfectly honest, if not downright boastful, with their teammates about their multiple betrayals of their marital vows. However Amaechi was making the point that "he" had little reason to "trust" a guy who was lying to his wife. By the way, the ~50+ young interns there seemed to "get it" immediately.

I later saw the guy in the company gym but he would not make eye contact. Haven't seen him around since.

Edit to add: It will be interesting to see the reaction, if any, to the GLAAD PSA featuring John Amaechi especially within the ranks of the basketball players and personnel. Homosexuality in the black community is an issue that has gotten a little exposure with the Obama campaign's insistance on encouraging the support of the homophobic sector for his democratic party presidential nomination.

That may have raised little ire within the straight black community but if the major broadcasters of NBA games pick up this PSA it will generate some much-needed debate in an often ignored minority about an issue both the NBA community and the black community would like to ignore but needs to address.

Just caught the end of this month's episode of In the Life on PBS and was pleasantly surprised that John Amaechi was the host.

John Amaechi interviewed by CBC's Mark Kelly on the topic of Homosexuality in Sports.