Michael Sam is out.

[benjamin]

I find it rather ironic that I'm being insulted in a thread by the very same people that are preaching tolerance of others. I've been accused of being a virgin, of not being able to please a women, and thinking about gay sex a lot (insinuating that I'm gay). Great job.

If I don't have a problem with homosexuality, then I couldn't possibly mean it as an insult. I love my LGBT friends. Although there's a cadre of 'the lady doth protest too much' folks (e.g., Ted Haggard, Ken Mehlman, George Rekers, Michael Foley, Larry Craig, etc.), I'm saying something much milder. I'm not insinuating that you're gay because you think a lot about it and need to affirm your heterosexuality here.

[Maury Ballstein]

 

 

[Kirby Jackson]

 

 

I am "coming out" to TBD as a confessed homophobe. The word "phobia" as described by Miriam Webster is: "an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation." -I think that's a far cry from being anti-gay. I wish Michael Sam the absolute best. Having watched him play many Saturdays, I believe he has the stuff to make an NFL team... I do not believe Sam should be judged, harassed, or villified in any way for being the way he is.

 

That said, how about a little tolerance for us guys who can't fully get our heads around kissing a dude. If there are any gay male posters on TBD, I'd like to ask them "what in the world is so terrible about poon?" I mean seriously, What is NOT to like about it? -The stuff's AWESOME! However, getting back on topic, Just like Sam, I don't feel I should be judged for having feelings I can't help. If all phobias became crimes, people couldn't do anything with any degree of honesty. -We'd all be prisoners in our own bodies. As far as I can see, there are three levels to this whole gay thing.. The first is simple tolerance, that's the basic act of letting another human being live in peace without harrassment or intimidation. The second is acceptance, wherein a person who may have had an anti-gay stance in the past, can discard it, and see gays as people simply living out their own personal truth. The third, is Embracing. -That's when you're willing to include a certain lifestyle as part of your everyday life. Whether through freinds or family, or other social interactions. -Some of us may never get that far... Hower, in this instance, I feel two outta three really ain't bad.

 

I remain a little grossed out by male on male action. While that may put me slightly behind the times, it hardly makes me a Westboro Baptist. -Here's hoping that Michael Sam Knocks 'em dead at the combine. GO BILLS!

 

Fair enough #34fan and thanks for your honesty. I would say that we all move up the ladder through experience and interactions. When I got to college 15 years ago I didn't know a lot of openly gay people. I went to an extremely gay friendly school and it was a bit of a culture shock. I was certainly less accepting before getting to know more gay people. Now I have many friends that are gay and it doesn't bother me in the least. My girlfriend's best friends are gay so I have gotten to know some people pretty well and those guys are really genuine. They have the same types of issues as the rest of us (finding love, problems with friends, jobs, etc...). It's like anything else there will be some people that you like more than others. When we get to a point where we are making decisions on the individual and not the group then we have progress.

[C.Biscuit97]

This is how it starts. One gay player and before you blink, the entire league is gay. You've been warned.

[Numark]

 

 

I don't take offense to it. I'm repulsed by it. There's a difference.

 

I don't care what year it is. I find it disgusting and confusing when someone portrays themselves as something that they're not. I mean what kind of homosexuals are they trying to attract by looking like a man? I thought lesbians didn't find men attractive, why would they dress/look like one?

 

Common sense? Yeah well parts that work together like penis and vagina make a ton of sense to me. Penis on penis not so much.

 

I said to each his own because I don't care if people are gay. I'm not going to any protests condemning them. I won't vote against gay marriage. I won't do anything to hurt their "cause". I could care less.

 

We know you could care less. That's obvious

[Dorkington]

Some of the statements/opinions in this thread are incredibly disappointing.

[Mickey]

I am "coming out" to TBD as a confessed homophobe. The word "phobia" as described by Miriam Webster is: "an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation." -I think that's a far cry from being anti-gay. I wish Michael Sam the absolute best. Having watched him play many Saturdays, I believe he has the stuff to make an NFL team... I do not believe Sam should be judged, harassed, or villified in any way for being the way he is.

 

That said, how about a little tolerance for us guys who can't fully get our heads around kissing a dude. If there are any gay male posters on TBD, I'd like to ask them "what in the world is so terrible about poon?" I mean seriously, What is NOT to like about it? -The stuff's AWESOME! However, getting back on topic, Just like Sam, I don't feel I should be judged for having feelings I can't help. If all phobias became crimes, people couldn't do anything with any degree of honesty. -We'd all be prisoners in our own bodies. As far as I can see, there are three levels to this whole gay thing.. The first is simple tolerance, that's the basic act of letting another human being live in peace without harrassment or intimidation. The second is acceptance, wherein a person who may have had an anti-gay stance in the past, can discard it, and see gays as people simply living out their own personal truth. The third, is Embracing. -That's when you're willing to include a certain lifestyle as part of your everyday life. Whether through freinds or family, or other social interactions. -Some of us may never get that far... Hower, in this instance, I feel two outta three really ain't bad.

 

I remain a little grossed out by male on male action. While that may put me slightly behind the times, it hardly makes me a Westboro Baptist. -Here's hoping that Michael Sam Knocks 'em dead at the combine. GO BILLS!

I am not sure what you mean by having to "include a certain lifestyle as part of your everyday life nor how you went from that to "male on male" action? Have you had a problem lately where gay couples forcing you to watch gay porn or having sex on your dining room table and demanding your applause? Depending on the setting and context, our society tolerates a certain amount of public displays of affection such as hand holding, hugs and light kissing. Gay couples aren't asking for anything more than that. If you had gay neighbors or a family member, would you consider their holding hands with their loved one, hugging or exchanging a hello/good-bye kiss to be engaging in "male on male action" that grosses you out? Is that the kind of inclusion of a lifestyle in your daily life that you feel unable to endure?

 

People are entitled to their likes and dislikes, maybe you can help me understand why it is that so many people feel the need to indicate what sex they like and don't like in a conversation about the civil rights and fair treatment of gay people. Is it a way of trying to make sure everyone knows you are straight? Is it a way of being straighter than the other guys? If one guy thinks of gay sex and simply reacts "no thanks" while a second guy goes into a medically verified coma, does that mean the second guy is more straight the than the first one?

 

Gay people have long had to deal with having their identity reduced to their specific sex acts. I am not accusing you of this at all. The thinking behind this is believed to be: "what I like and do is wonderful and full of love but what gay people do is devoid of love and just some sort of creepy sexual obsession with icky body parts." All desire and no love. Two men who love each other do so for the same reason other couples do and not because of some overpowering desire for an anus over a vagina. When people talk about their straight-couple friends, they don't boil them down to intricate details of whatever sex they are imagined to be having and they certainly aren't included or excluded from social events and gatherings based on personal reactions others might have about their sex lives.

 

Help me understand how it makes sense to respond to a discussion about civil rights, prejudice and social exclusion/inclusion with comments focused on ones personal preferences or revulsions regarding specific sexual activities when no one is asking you to participate in or witness those activities:

 

"I think that people who are overweight often are treated unfairly" -----"Yeah, but when they have sex it grosses me out"

'I think women should get equal pay for equal work" ------ "Maybe but you know, when they have sex during their periods its really icky, I hate that."

"I am concerned about african americans having unfair hurdles to cross before voting ---"Maybe so but I am not attracted to black people"

Our immigration policy is outdated and inefficient, what do you think? ---- "It makes me want to puke when I think of immigrant-on-immigrant action."

Lets invite Dave and Mary to the party ---- No way, she doesn't shave her legs, when I think of them having sex with all that hair everywhere, I retch."

 

If one reduces people to a sex act one then describes as sick, dirty, disgusting and then comment about how it is simply incomprehensible that someone would actually like doing that, it comes perilously close to saying that the people themselves are sick, dirty, disgusting and incomprehensibly gross. I don't think that is how you feel about people who are gay, but if you can put yourself in their shoes, imagine what it sounds like to them when they are having a conversation about marriage equality or some other issue important to them and the immediate reaction is a discussion of hairy anuses, beautiful vaginas and how their love lives are sick and disgusting.

[RuntheDamnBall]

round of applause for Mickey.

 

I know this: people who tell others to "keep their bedroom business to themselves" sure like to think and talk about it in graphic detail.

[Mr. WEO]

Dad isn't too happy:

 

http://espn.go.com/n...ng-news-son-gay

 

He'll come around. Hope it's not too late, as it was for this dad...

 

 

 

I've been accused of being a virgin, of not being able to please a women, and thinking about gay sex a lot (insinuating that I'm gay).

 

That's called "the Buffalo Trifecta".

 

I don't need religion to tell me gay sex is wrong. Common sense does. Sexual organs don't include fists, fingers, tongues, or butts. Men dressing like women, women dressing like men. I find it repulsive, but to each his own.

 

I don't care what people do privately. Sexual preference shouldn't stop anyone from having equal rights, but there should be limits when it comes to pro sports. For example, what will the league do if someone wants to get breast implants or remove their penis? Things can get out of hand real quick.

 

I thought they were going to do this to both Chan and Doug for punting within the other team's 40.

 

Guess they realized they didn't have to...

 

Makes no sense, huh? Okay then, I've gotta question for you guys, do you believe God punishes us for our thoughts or our actions?

 

Ask him:https://twitter.com/TheTweetOfGod (@TheTweetofGod):

 

.God ‏@TheTweetOfGod Jan 11

If hell exists it's filled with people who spent their lives telling others they were going there.

 

God ‏@TheTweetOfGod Jan 11

666 is the Number of the Beast, but 24 is the number of the Beast Mode.

 

God ‏@TheTweetOfGod Jan 19

By the way Seattle, the Bible had a 12th Man too. His name was Judas.

 

God ‏@TheTweetOfGod Jan 19

Peyton 26, Satan 16. Good defeats evil. I am the Lord thy God.

[Kevin]

I really don't care anymore. I don't care that the guy is gay. He's a football player. Can he sack the QB? Stop the run? Be a good locker room leader? If so then draft him.

 

Let me go out on a limb. He's not the first. Not even the first to openly admit it. You want to make statements about how far we've come? We haven't come very far if we are still talking about it 22 pages later.

 

So what, he's gay. Play ball.

[Justice]

 

I am not sure what you mean by having to "include a certain lifestyle as part of your everyday life nor how you went from that to "male on male" action? Have you had a problem lately where gay couples forcing you to watch gay porn or having sex on your dining room table and demanding your applause? Depending on the setting and context, our society tolerates a certain amount of public displays of affection such as hand holding, hugs and light kissing. Gay couples aren't asking for anything more than that. If you had gay neighbors or a family member, would you consider their holding hands with their loved one, hugging or exchanging a hello/good-bye kiss to be engaging in "male on male action" that grosses you out? Is that the kind of inclusion of a lifestyle in your daily life that you feel unable to endure?

 

People are entitled to their likes and dislikes, maybe you can help me understand why it is that so many people feel the need to indicate what sex they like and don't like in a conversation about the civil rights and fair treatment of gay people. Is it a way of trying to make sure everyone knows you are straight? Is it a way of being straighter than the other guys? If one guy thinks of gay sex and simply reacts "no thanks" while a second guy goes into a medically verified coma, does that mean the second guy is more straight the than the first one?

 

Gay people have long had to deal with having their identity reduced to their specific sex acts. I am not accusing you of this at all. The thinking behind this is believed to be: "what I like and do is wonderful and full of love but what gay people do is devoid of love and just some sort of creepy sexual obsession with icky body parts." All desire and no love. Two men who love each other do so for the same reason other couples do and not because of some overpowering desire for an anus over a vagina. When people talk about their straight-couple friends, they don't boil them down to intricate details of whatever sex they are imagined to be having and they certainly aren't included or excluded from social events and gatherings based on personal reactions others might have about their sex lives.

 

Help me understand how it makes sense to respond to a discussion about civil rights, prejudice and social exclusion/inclusion with comments focused on ones personal preferences or revulsions regarding specific sexual activities when no one is asking you to participate in or witness those activities:

 

"I think that people who are overweight often are treated unfairly" -----"Yeah, but when they have sex it grosses me out"

'I think women should get equal pay for equal work" ------ "Maybe but you know, when they have sex during their periods its really icky, I hate that."

"I am concerned about african americans having unfair hurdles to cross before voting ---"Maybe so but I am not attracted to black people"

Our immigration policy is outdated and inefficient, what do you think? ---- "It makes me want to puke when I think of immigrant-on-immigrant action."

Lets invite Dave and Mary to the party ---- No way, she doesn't shave her legs, when I think of them having sex with all that hair everywhere, I retch."

 

If one reduces people to a sex act one then describes as sick, dirty, disgusting and then comment about how it is simply incomprehensible that someone would actually like doing that, it comes perilously close to saying that the people themselves are sick, dirty, disgusting and incomprehensibly gross. I don't think that is how you feel about people who are gay, but if you can put yourself in their shoes, imagine what it sounds like to them when they are having a conversation about marriage equality or some other issue important to them and the immediate reaction is a discussion of hairy anuses, beautiful vaginas and how their love lives are sick and disgusting.

 

Let me ask you this one question. If you had a first born child on the way would you want him to be gay?

[Captain Caveman]

 

 

Let me ask you this one question. If you had a first born child on the way would you want him to be gay?

I know that this wasn't directed at me, but I hope my son lives in a world where he can be himself, as long as he treats others as he would want to be treated. If he's gay, I'll be ok with it.

 

[RuntheDamnBall]

Let me ask you this one question. If you had a first born child on the way would you want him to be gay?

If you had a first born child on the way would you force them to be something they are not, causing them to descend into all sorts of unhappiness knowing that even the people who gave birth to them and raised them don't have their back?

[thebandit27]

Judging by the title of this thread, Wednesday injury reports for a given Sunday game will have to be tweaked.

 

Now THAT is funny!

 

Let me ask you this one question. If you had a first born child on the way would you want him to be gay?

 

I also am sure that this wasn't directed at me--I do have an answer though.

 

As the father of (very-soon-to-be) 1-year-old twin boys, I feel like I have a unique perspective on this...see, they're babies, and babies do a lot of funny things. One thing my boys do all the time (which their mother taught them) is "give kisses". They give kisses to mommy, daddy, grandpa, everyone...including each other. Yep, I have pictures of my twin boys kissing each other on the mouth--even sticking their tongues in each other's mouths...it's hilarious!

 

It also makes me think: what if one of them (or heck, both) were gay? To be honest, I have no idea how I'd feel. I'd probably be disappointed that there wouldn't be grandkids, and that I wouldn't be able to relate to what he's going through both as an immature male and as he discovers his own sexuality. What other feelings might accompany that, along with any implications on lifestyle or spirituality (which is of the utmost importance to me and my family), I cannot possibly say.

 

Here's one thing that I know for sure: I wouldn't love him any less.

[ExiledInIllinois]

Some of the statements/opinions in this thread are incredibly disappointing.

 

Well said, I totally agree. Incredibly disappointing.

 

So what, he's gay. Play ball.

 

And that he will. Oh, and remember to not tackle down low bro.

 

Sorry... Couldn't resist... Just kidding.

[Numark]

 

 

Let me ask you this one question. If you had a first born child on the way would you want him to be gay?

 

I think most non-homophobes like myself wouldn't care.

 

Just like most non-racists wouldn't care if their son married someone of another race.

 

Thankfully society matures and people behind the curve like yourself are becoming less common as each generation gets better and better. I'm not a tolerant person. I don't tolerate what I think is wrong, such as racist or bigots. And society doesn't either as society only tolerates what is the social norm. This often works for the worse such as when racism was common and people tolerated that. However it can often work for the better, such as now how racism is much less tolerated. Your views on homosexuals are outdated, poor, and thankfully no longer part of the norm.

Edited February 12, 2014 by Numark

[NoSaint]

 

 

Let me ask you this one question. If you had a first born child on the way would you want him to be gay?

 

i want that child to be healthy and happy.

[Numark]

 

 

i want that child to be healthy and happy.

 

Wouldn't you rather care if your son may kiss a boy one day!!!! Ewwww ick gross!!!!!!

[NoSaint]

Everyone's dancing around the question like Ali. Would you prefer that your son is gay? Yes or no.

 

 

no ones dancing - everyones saying you have a preference where we do not. we would prefer our child find a partner that treats them well and helps them be a happy adult, whatever form that comes in. just because you have a strong preference doesnt mean everyone saying "who cares" is dodging your question.

Edited February 12, 2014 by NoSaint

[RuntheDamnBall]

Everyone's dancing around the question like Ali. Would you prefer that your son is gay? Yes or no.

 

I have three daughters and I'm pretty sure I won't be having anymore children. My 14 and 12 year olds appear to be straight. The little one is only two so I'm not sure about her yet. If any of them were gay I'd obviously still love them. I won't be happy about it, though.

I think you're mischaracterizing the answers. I wouldn't prefer that my kids are one way or another, because I would love them either way. The point is that it's a ridiculous question to people who think there is nothing wrong with either result.