By now, you’ve probably heard about the flap over former Miami Heat baller Tim Hardaway’s repugnant radio interview, in which he reacted to news that fellow NBA alum John Amachi is gay by proclaiming his hatred of gay people and declaring that homosexuality “shouldn’t be in the world or in the United States.” This morning, my inbox contained a press release from none other than uberconservative group Concerned Women for America blasting Hardaway:
A former NBA star has made disturbing and harmful comments about his feelings toward people trapped in the homosexual lifestyle. Interviewing with a Florida sports radio show, former Miami Heat player Tim Hardaway said that he “hates gay people” and that he distances himself from them because he is “homophobic.” Concerned Women for America (CWA) is disappointed that a man who is respected by many sports fans would make such inflammatory remarks.
Can it be, CWA? Is that… is that a glimmer of basic human decency I detect? Oh, wait, no:
“Hardaway’s comments are both unfortunate and inappropriate,” said Matt Barber, CWA’s Policy Director for Cultural Issues. “They provide political fodder for those who wish to paint all opposition to the homosexual lifestyle as being rooted in ‘hate.’ [….] It’s perfectly natural for people to be repelled by disordered sexual behaviors that are both unnatural, and immoral [….] Hardaway’s comments only serve to foment misperceptions of widespread homosexual ‘victimhood’ which the homosexual lobby has craftily manufactured.”
You heard it here first. The problem with espousing hatred of gay people and darkly suggesting they “shouldn’t be in the world”? It creates problems for homophobes. Stay classy, CWA.
24 responses so far ↓
1 pseudonymous in nc // Feb 16, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Matt Barber, another man from the Concerned Women for America.
2 kevin // Feb 16, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Are the men at Concerned Women for America transgender????
3 Bloggernista // Feb 17, 2007 at 1:30 am
You gotta love the Concerned Women of America. I mean seriously, what other group of men would go by such a name? I guess their women are too busy concerned making dinner, cleaning the house, feeding the kids and other things these wingnuts seem to think that women are only good for.
4 bi // Feb 17, 2007 at 2:44 am
Or to put it another way: The problem with victimizing gays is that it gives people the impression that gays are being victimized. And the problem with portraying it as a matter of “hate” is that it’s not “hate”, it’s just a natural, visceral reaction which isn’t rooted in reason or logic, and that’s _not_ the same as hate.
5 Jeff // Feb 17, 2007 at 3:16 am
CWA’S ‘Hate’ is rooted in their religious beliefs and should be immune to criticism, DUH?
6 hadassah weinreb // Feb 17, 2007 at 3:37 am
Is CWA the group led by Phyllis Shafley , who btw has a gay son?
7 Reality Man // Feb 17, 2007 at 3:37 am
It’s like if Pat Buchanan complained the KKK made him look like an idiot.
8 Carl // Feb 17, 2007 at 9:02 am
hadassah: No. CWA was founded by Beverly LaHaye. Phyllis Schalfly’s group is Eagle Forum.
9 Dennis // Feb 17, 2007 at 9:02 am
All we need to remember about CWA is that it was formed by Beverly LaHaye – wife of absolute nutcase author Tim LaHaye. Millions of misinformed and misguided people have read his absurd “Left Behind” books, apparently all eager to see the destruction of this world in anticipation of some other place that doesn’t exist. The LaHaye’s and their political followers are dangerous people.
10 Quite Contrary // Feb 17, 2007 at 9:29 am
They’re even more of a parody than the “Ladies Against Women” who marched in Pasadena’s Doo Dah parade.
11 PDQ // Feb 17, 2007 at 11:34 am
Lee LaHaye, Tim and Beverly’s son is openly gay and serves as the CFO for Concerned Women of America.
Isn’t that rich?
12 Karl // Feb 17, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Well if they’re that pissed off by his ‘comments,’ then his apology must be an even deeper affirmation of homosexual victimhood. Too bad the apology looks and sounds perfectly genuine.
13 Nelson Guirado // Feb 17, 2007 at 1:17 pm
The statement isn’t too long; why would you choose to leave out the part about love and forgiveness below. Is it because you’re trying to make CWA look bad? Naah. You just didn’t have room, right? Below is the full statement:
Washington, D.C. ââ?¬â? A former NBA star has made disturbing and harmful comments about his feelings toward people trapped in the homosexual lifestyle. Interviewing with a Florida sports radio show, former Miami Heat player Tim Hardaway said that he ââ?¬Å?hates gay peopleââ?¬Â and that he distances himself from them because he is ââ?¬Å?homophobic.ââ?¬Â Concerned Women for America (CWA) is disappointed that a man who is respected by many sports fans would make such inflammatory remarks.
ââ?¬Å?Hardawayââ?¬â?¢s comments are both unfortunate and inappropriate,ââ?¬Â said Matt Barber, CWAââ?¬â?¢s Policy Director for Cultural Issues. ââ?¬Å?They provide political fodder for those who wish to paint all opposition to the homosexual lifestyle as being rooted in ââ?¬Ë?hate.ââ?¬â?¢ Itââ?¬â?¢s important to note that Hardawayââ?¬â?¢s words represent the feelings of Hardaway. His words do not represent the feelings of the vast majority of people opposed to the homosexual agenda.
ââ?¬Å?Itââ?¬â?¢s perfectly natural for people to be repelled by disordered sexual behaviors that are both unnatural, and immoral,ââ?¬Â said Barber. ââ?¬Å?All too often those behaviors are accompanied by serious physical, emotional, and spiritual pitfalls. However, the appropriate reaction is to respond with words and acts of love, not words of hate. Jesus Christ offers forgiveness and freedom for all sinners, and that is the heart of the Gospel message.
ââ?¬Å?Thousands of former homosexuals have been freed from the homosexual lifestyle through acts of love. Hardawayââ?¬â?¢s comments only serve to foment misperceptions of widespread homosexual ââ?¬Ë?victimhoodââ?¬â?¢ which the homosexual lobby has craftily manufactured.ââ?¬Â
14 Reality Man // Feb 17, 2007 at 1:24 pm
When you talk about someone’s very being and existence as immoral, talking about “love and forgiveness” is just a way of covering your ass. CWA makes themselves look bad on their own merits.
15 Paul in Providence, RI // Feb 17, 2007 at 1:28 pm
What ever happenned to the “Greatest Commmandment”, “Love Thy Neighbor As Thy Self”???
I Dont know about these crazy wing~nuts… PJP
16 Julian Sanchez // Feb 17, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Nelson-
Yes, I was making a point, and picked out the parts that illustrated it, while linking the full statement. I don’t think the “love the sinner, hate the sin” boilerplate makes it any better.
17 chele // Feb 17, 2007 at 1:52 pm
I’m curious about those “acts of love” that have “freed” all those homosexuals.
Is that something those Concerned Women are trained to provide? Is that why they’re too busy to speak out themselves and have men doing it for them?
18 alex // Feb 17, 2007 at 5:53 pm
I just hate everybody. It’s much easier.
19 Max Renn // Feb 17, 2007 at 8:32 pm
I’m curious about those “acts of love” that have “freed” all those homosexuals.
Well, I think Ted Haggard is an expert. Ditto Mark Foley. And of course, Lee LeHaye. They can’t wait to “free” more gay guys. And in Pastor Ted’s case, snort a little of their crank.
Is that something those Concerned Women are trained to provide? Is that why they’re too busy to speak out themselves and have men doing it for them?
Posted by: chele at February 17, 2007 1:52 PM
I expect Lee doesn’t need any training at all.
20 Mitch // Feb 17, 2007 at 11:57 pm
A man kissing another man is disgusting, let alone the other things they do. Political correctness does not change this.
21 bi // Feb 18, 2007 at 7:51 am
A man isn’t supposed to kiss another man because Mitch finds it disgusting.
Excuse me? Isn’t that a reverse sort of PC? We’re supposed to stop doing things that offend Mitch?
22 DM SHERWOOD // Feb 19, 2007 at 12:28 pm
There are the kick-em-in-the-balls folk and then there are the condesending bastard.
Who”l be first against the wall. difficult question
23 J Goodglass // Feb 20, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Jules – I didn’t realize you have such a diverse and controversial following. You’ve got them from all sides coming to battle it out here.
24 Dave // Mar 4, 2007 at 5:49 am
Mitch, can we agree that it’s even more disgusting when fat people fuck?