I went to an outdoor lacrosse game last night (Denver vs San Francisco), and had the misfortune of sitting in front of a couple of wonderful people. Throughout the second half, they were yelling anti-gay remarks to the San Francisco team: "Go back to Fire Island, ya f---in' f----ts!" (yes, I know Fire Island is in New York), "Get back to the bathhouse, ya f---in' queers!", and at least one comment about Lombard Street (which shocked me that they knew that much). I finally moved, because I was getting hellaciously pissed, and even though I'm not much of a fighter, I was itching to get in some "gay bashing" of a different sort. After all, our section was kind of empty, but there WERE children sitting in it.

But I thought I'd float the topic here. What would be the right course of behavior here? Talk to someone at the stadium? Confront the guys? Walk home and beat up random straight people for no reason? (Kidding.)

LXN

Very interesting question and one where there is no easy answer.

When the Phils had their first Gay Day (before the era of the team remaining silent when anti-gay protestors were infringing on our rights and waving an anti-gay banner (in fairness, the "policy" has reportedly changed but they haven't seen a dime of my money since then)),a bunch of guys from this Board went to the game. After the game we stayed as people were leaving and took some photos. As we were doing this, one of the ushers was making the same type of remarks half under his breath. I confronted him but everyone else remained silent. I don't think they heard him.

I eventually decided that it wasn't worth the aggravation and said nothing further. I kind of regret that decision even to this day.

I think you made the right decision though - you cannot reason with these people, especially the closet cases who just happen to know the gay hot spots. They have a very strong investment in the closet.

Discretion being the better part of valor, I agree that you did the right thing in moving away from the bigots. Two things you could have done: alert stadium security about them, so security could at least keep an eye on them in case things escalated and send a letter to stadium/team management about it.

~Adam

I know a lot of the players on both of those teams. I wonder if they and/or the administration of those teams wouldn't like to know some of that. I think they would be willing to act on that right away.........

Its similar to all the "hate remarks" that FIFA has said they won't be tolerating at the world cup this year.

I should hasten to point out, FC, that I've yet to run into any problem with the players or staff of either the Outlaws or the Mammoth. I always attend the games with my boyfriend, and no player has yet had any issue with chatting with us, or putting their arms around both of us for a photo.

In fact, this is the first thing of the kind I've ever encountered at either team's games. (Then again, it's the first time a Colorado lacrosse team has hosted a San Francisco team.) One of the things that kept me from going ballistic was remembering that not a single player on the Dragons team lives in San Francisco, which sort of negates anything these morons were saying.

LXN

Teams usually have a policy that fans can be removed from the stadium for bad behavior, including using foul language. A good first step would be to just ask them politely to watch their language since children were present. If that didn't work, then report them to security.

I surely didn't hear him. I don't recall you mentioning this before. You might remember I had my own issue with an usher that night. wink

[ June 11, 2006, 12:56 PM: Message edited by: FireCharlieManuelNow ]

I'm going to see Andrew Goldstein play with the Long Island Lizards this Saturday (they're playing the Philadelphia Barrage!). Anyone want to go? The game is at 1pm.

I'm planning on talking with lots of people - fans and players - about the gay issue in lacrosse. With Andrew playing, it'll be a natural.

That's a heck of a drive for me, so I'll pass. I'll be cheering for the Lizards, though, since the Barrage is now the only undefeated team in the league. Lemme know how it goes.

LXN

Tell Andrew I may come out to see him next month when the teams meet again down here.
wink

Have a good trip to the game, but just realize you probably won't be seeing Andrew play, who doesn't really play that much. You'll be seeing Greg Cattrano play... who is an incredible keeper.