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NFL Urged to Address
Homophobia WASHINGTON--The
Human Rights Campaign this week urged National Football League
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to address the problem of homophobia in
the NFL and make clear that the league will not tolerate harassment
and discrimination against gay players. The recent
coming
out of former NFL player Esera Tuaolo highlights the need for the
NFL to take steps to deal with this issue, says HRC.
"We hope Tuaolo's experience has
created an opportunity for the NFL and HRC to begin a dialogue about
ways the league can implement existing guidelines regarding harassment
and discrimination against gay players," HRC Executive Director
Elizabeth Birch said in a letter to Tagliabue. "These hard-working
employees should not have to fear reprisals, such as getting
intentionally injured or cut from a roster - worries well articulated
by Tuaolo."
Tuaolo, a nine-year veteran of the NFL, came out last month on HBO's
"Real Sports." During the interview, he spoke of a homophobic
environment in the NFL where he would often hear anti-gay comments or
jokes. Remarks by former and current NFL players confirm Tuaolo's
assessment of the NFL.
When asked about his feelings on having a gay teammate, San Francisco
49ers running back Garrison Hearst told a Fresno Bee columnist on Oct.
27, "Aww, hell no! I don't want any faggots on my team. I know this
might not be what people want to hear, but that's a punk. I don't want
any faggots in this locker room."
(See Outsports' story on player reaction)
The league has a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual
orientation and also has an anti-harassment policy that
forbids "epithets, slurs or negative stereotypes." However, it is
clear that message is not getting through to all of the players,
according to HRC.
"Tuaolo's experience and the lack of other 'out' individuals strongly
suggest that most players are not aware of the NFL's current rules
governing harassment and discrimination," Birch wrote. "It is clear
... there is a serious problem that needs to be addressed in the near
future."
Birch also asked the NFL to send a strong signal of its opposition to
discrimination based on sexual orientation by taking affirmative steps
such as sensitivity training and offering domestic partner benefits.
"HRC suggests that the NFL addresses this issue at the yearly rookie
symposium, where social issues faced by players are addressed," wrote
Birch. "This seems like an appropriate forum to tackle this issue and
make it clear to players and management that harassment and
discrimination based on sexual orientation will not be tolerated.
Another way the National Football League could send a clear message
about where they stand on this issue is by adopting domestic partner
benefits."
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian and gay
political organization with members throughout the country..
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