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As our SB Nation partner Eric Stephan wrote Thursday, some of the photos snapped on MLB Photo Day are “beautiful and perfect.”
And others might make you scratch your head in wonderment. Or cringe in embarrassment.
Or laugh along with the players, who for the most part are poking fun at themselves and the awkwardness many people feel when they have to pose for a photograph.
Take for example Joe Kelly and Justin Turner. The Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and infielder were captured on camera together.
First, Kelly pretended to kiss Turner.
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Then Turner suggested a “prom pose.”
That was caught on video and tweeted by the team.
Prom pose? It must be photo day. pic.twitter.com/UqdDRtFhnZ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 20, 2020
To Dodgers fans, this was either bewildering or funny, and some made homophobic comments, like “no homo,” “freaks,” and “Hollywood lifestyle.”
We want to hear from you. Tell us your thoughts in the comments below. Here’s what some of our Twitter followers said:
I think it's cute and a simple expression of their bond with one another. Men should be able to express their friendship through hugs and physical touch without it being considered exclusively a "gay thing".
— BrettSmick (@BrettSmick) February 21, 2020
for me it falls under the category of "cishet men showing intimacy towards each other should be encouraged" for like, combating homophobia reasons. but i can also see how the fact that it's jokey could be cringe. im torn. i definitely dont want there to be LESS intimacy here
— Anvil (@anvilfisher) February 21, 2020
And a few others simply said, “cringe.” Another added: “Laughter at our expense.”
Cringe. Laughter at our expense.
— ITMFA (@MicahNR) February 21, 2020
There should be nothing wrong with two men, even straight men, showing affection. And there’s nothing wrong with having fun. But knowing that in February 2020, there is not one active out gay player in any of the Big 3 professional sports of major league baseball, pro football or basketball, is it okay or is it homophobic to pose as a same-sex prom couple and pretend to kiss?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
