Team CEO Rick Welts comes out

[rsavaj]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/ar ... welts.html

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/ar ... aders.html

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2011/ ... defend-gay

While the NBA playoffs may rage on without the presence of the Phoenix Suns, the effect of the team is still being felt league-wide. It takes courage for a franchise and its players to make such bold stances on controversial issues. With the reception of these actions being held in high esteem, the Phoenix Suns may just be setting the example to how a successful sports franchise can integrate itself into the issues other franchises are afraid to touch.

The last thread devolved into a cesspool of homophobia, and indeed was created seemingly with the intent of just ticking as many people off as possible. I thought I'd create another thread for discussion, but just a warning in advance: if it turns into another gay-bashing thread, it's done. I just wanted this to be a place where we could express our thoughts in a non offensive manner.

As for me personally, I'm behind Welts and the organization. It's a very brave move, and while it SHOULDN'T be a story ideally, we still live in a society where, due to some widely pervasive notions about how people should live their private lives, this is necessary.

Edit: I've copied Bright Side's poll

[Miklo]

I am pretty shocked how uncomfortable homosexuality makes so many people. It's wild how it's basically seen as taboo in the sports industry, too. I mean it makes sense in a heavily masculine setting but still, it's 2011.

It wasn't just the thread yesterday (which yes was moved to a place where heavily offensive threads go to die), but some of you probably saw the responses to the Facebook post too. Namecalling, bashing etc.

I'm glad he and the Suns organization felt comfortable publicizing it. Much like the immigration issue when the Suns took a stand, I do like the idea of a sports club taking a socially conscious stand. After all it is a microcosm of the municipality/state it's located in so people need to face the facts.

[Saberestar]

I'm very proud of Welts and the organization too; he is a good example for other people.

[pidi]

should we realy care? i know alot of gay people and it makes no difference at all.
it´s brave to come out if you are on a position like he is - so hats off, maybe it opens the door for some other gays to come out.

[lilfishi22]

I'm proud of him and the organisation for backing him. It's a shame that we're still in a society where a "story" like this has become as big and as talked about as it has been. I suppose it has to start somewhere and I'm proud that our Suns is the forerunner on this issue.

[pidi]

I'm proud of him and the organisation for backing him. It's a shame that we're still in a society where a "story" like this has become as big and as talked about as it has been. I suppose it has to start somewhere and I'm proud that our Suns is the forerunner on this issue.

yah, +1

[Sun Scorched]

These types of situations, to me, revolve entirely around respect. Respect for his decision to shape his life in a way that makes him happy. Respect for the way the organization is choosing to handle it. And, finally and no less importantly, respect for the people you are telling.

The last part is something that I feel is generally missed in these situations. I couldn't care less about your run-of-the-mill bigots, but people are sensative to the subject.

I know people who are both respectful and disrespectful when it comes to their own sexuality, and this applies to both homo and hetero-sexuals.

I think what gets most people is the flambouancy that is attached to a minority of the gay population in this country. I think it creats a stigma attached to every gay person which does not help the general fear/misunderstanding that is pervasive with regards to this topic.

People think gay = an unproductive, innapropriately "loud & proud" lifetsyle while this situation is clearly an example of a successful businessman who (I would hope) is as tasteful about his preferences as we expect every heterosexual to be.

These situations lay the proper groundwork for the general advancement of this discussion. So kudos.

[Frank Lee]

As for me personally, I'm behind Welts......

Is there something you want to tell us ?????

A new 'insider' perhaps ?





Ooops... I made jokes. I must be insensitive.

[JohnVancouver]

Agree completely - shouldn't be big news, but it is so good to see the league and Suns standing up to be counted.

[schnakenpopanz]

i think it should not be a big deal. sexual orientation is something personal if he wants to tel everybody i am fine with it.

[Stix]

Suddenly trading for Rudy GAY makes a lot more sense.

[impulsenine]

Something like 0.5-5% of the population swing that way (depending on who you ask, how gay you have to be to qualify, etc.).

There's many more than 200 people in the NBA. Amaechi was not the only player, and Rick isn't the only office guy. It shouldn't matter, but you know if Rick had walked out of a meeting holding hands with a dude, it would NOT have gotten the same attention as Goran Dragic coming out of post-game with like six girls on his arms (which was and remains hilarious).

The faster we can get to that point, the better, and therefore, good on 'em.

[YFZblu]

As for me personally, I'm behind Welts......

Is there something you want to tell us ?????

A new 'insider' perhaps ?





Ooops... I made jokes. I must be insensitive.

Holy crap

[Qwigglez]

Suddenly trading for Rudy Gay and Kevin Love makes a lot more sense.

Fixed.
Imagine that. We have some Gay Love coming to Phoenix.



And... I don't really care.

[BurningHeart]

He shouldnt have come out, and the news shouldn't have come out.

Who cares what the guy does? I wish I could have voted for "don't care either way" AND "keep it out of sports". It shouldn't be issue enough for him to call all these people and say "Yeah, I'm gay." So he likes it in the butt, so what?

The problem is, homosexuality will never be widely accepted if those who are keep making special cases for themselves. Straight people don't feel the need to come out as "straight". If they want to be treated equally, they have to treat themselves equally. If they want to be respected, they have to respect themselves.

Constantly "coming out", having "special parades", etc does more harm to the cause than good, in my opinion.



.....now get us a **** championship, dude.

[rsavaj]

I'm of the opinion that he came out to show that you can be gay and still be an incredibly accomplished person. He wants to serve as an example that you can be a successful gay individual, even in the machismo world of sports

As far as straight people never "coming out"...it's because we don't need to. We're already "out". We can talk about our partners, our personal lives and we DO so without any fear of being ostracized. We can have pictures of them at our desks. Hell, we can make out with them in public(which I hate...PDA in all forms is just UGH to me). People in the gay community can't do that freely. Mr. Welts said that his long-time partner died and he couldn't talk to anybody about it. He couldn't share his grief for fear of being disparaged. I find that to be incredibly sad.

If his "announcement" serves as inspiration to members of the gay community, then I think he's done some good. If they get the message that you DON'T have to be afraid, isolated, etc, then I think he's done some good, and that's why I support it.

[YFZblu]

The problem is, homosexuality will never be widely accepted if...

Yes, it will. The problem isn't gays or anything they do...The problem lies with those who are unable/unwilling to accept homosexuality. That is becoming more apparent as time moves on...

-He shouldnt have come out, and the news shouldn't have come out.
-Who cares what the guy does?

Sure, if the guy was a manager at Walmart, who cares? The reason he came out publicly is because the sports industry is Mount Everest as far as gays being accepted...And it needs to happen IMO.

Straight people don't feel the need to come out as "straight". If they want to be treated equally

That's because the vast majority of men and women are straight. You can essentially go to any place on Earth, and without question, you'll be amongst your peers in terms of your sexuality. You don't feel the need to express who you are because people already assume who you are in terms of your sexuality. The need for human expression is exactly why gays have parades and announce their preferences publicly.

Constantly "coming out", having "special parades", etc does more harm to the cause than good, in my opinion.

How many gays do you know who are "constantly coming out"? What, do they hold dinner parties and wear assless chaps once a week, telling friends and family that they like men? Do you know how many people felt this same way when African Americans were marching, wearing African medallions, raising fists, etc..? "Why do they ALWAYS do this, why do they ALWAYS do that"..."Why do they have parades?"...Bottom line is this: Sometimes in order to progress, are more 'in your face' approach is necessary. IMO, this is one of those times.

So he likes it in the butt, so what?

This is blatantly offensive to me, and I'm not even gay. Just a quick FYI: The 'in your butt' stuff causes more physical/medical problems for gays than it does pleasure...The very fact that they resort to that type of thing to feel closer to someone is a testament to how difficult it must be to live that life.

.....now get us a **** championship, dude.

This too.


/soap box

[BurningHeart]

Definite "/soapbox"

[RaisingArizona]

As for me personally, I'm behind Welts......

Is there something you want to tell us ?????

A new 'insider' perhaps ?

Nicely done.

I personally think they should keep their sexual preferences to themselves. I don't know how you can be scrutinized if you do keep that confidentiality.

[Kerrsed]