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Not only has a simple Google search displayed his privates all over the Internet, but the Toronto media has been relentless with the Leafs and Tlusty since the photos emerged.
There are numerous fans that have come to support Jiri in this time citing that it was a mistake, which he has learned from, so move on. Others have attacked him saying he's gay and has no right to play in the NHL. These same fans attack any fans that rally in support behind Jiri.
The blatant homophobia of some fans saying that absolutely no bi-sexual or gay man should be allowed to play in the NHL is unbelievable in this day and age of acceptance in society of a person's sexual orientation. Some even state that it is a detriment to society to have a gay or bi-sexual person in the NHL and he should be forced to resign.
This is exactly why so many sports figures are quiet about their own sexuality. Even in these times where people are more at peace with their own sexuality, there are still those who believe that anyone that is not straight should not be allowed to play in professional sports.
There are laws that state that it is illegal to deny a person a job based on their sexual orientation. For many years, President Clinton had enacted the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy within the armed forces. This policy was made in an effort to protect those individuals from being harmed by people who were homophobic.
This is why so many bi-sexual and gay athletes choose to remain silent about their sexuality. First, it is private. Second, their sexuality does not define the type of player they are during the course of the game.
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Comments
Re: Scandalous? Photos Of Maple Leafs Shake NHL
By Michelle Kenneth, November 20, 2007 at 17:25Exactly! They're just a bunch of kids goofing around.
I also want to add to your comment, Heather, that it's starting to look more like a generational thing too. I've seen a lot of kids around his age posing in similar pictures with their friends, but they are just goofing around and nowhere close to being gay or bi-sexual.
On Tyra's show last week when Tila Tequila was on, they discussed bi-sexuality. I believe they concluded at the end of the show that it's more a generational thing. For the generation before us, they were worried about inter-racial dating. For our generation, we became more aware of the whole "gay" revolution. With the current generation, they've got the bi-sexuality is cool revolution.
This is what I would call a relationship evolution. Relationships with other people are evolving to be more accepting and it's breaking down the social norms.
Oh, and as far as the camera is concerned...I don't know. I love my camera. I've grown to appreciate taking pictures. I love Heather's photography. There is an art to photography. Over time, the more pics I take, the better I become.
I've fallen in love with programs for spicing up photographs. I love asking people questions about how they made their photographs looks so beautiful. I can look at a horrible before picture and those programs can make it look like it's an amazing picture.
The way I look at it...don't take photos you're going to one day regret. LOL.
Re: Scandalous? Photos Of Maple Leafs Shake NHL
By Heather Wallace, November 20, 2007 at 16:56I agree with Michelle that it doesn't matter one way or another, but it may also be interesting to consider that in his culture, it may be perfectly "acceptable" for men to joke around like that in a photo, and it wouldn't raise any eyebrows. In some countries that are intolerant of sexual affection between opposite sexes, there is physical affection shown within a sex - straight men holding hands and the like.
Clearly we don't know enough about the situation based on this photo, and it really doesn't matter. It's a goofball photo with two guys joking around. Big deal!
Re: Scandalous? Photos Of Maple Leafs Shake NHL
By Melkor, November 20, 2007 at 13:24My solution - get rid of all the digital cameras and camera phones. Granted I'm an old stubborn S.O.B. but in my day, I don't remember EVER anyone bringing a camera out with them (unless it was the prom). Why this need to be photographed at every concievable opportunity? To enjoy them later? In the process, you neglect the enjoyment of the moment (my opinion). I'll ask you all to think back to a time to an unsolicited happy moment (one you did not plan). Maybe the day you met that significant other, or an unexpected good grade on a paper - did you break out the cell and snap a picture? And besides - NO ONE IS INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT YOU EVENING OUT WITH THE GIRLS!!!!!! (unless they're crazy hot). NO, I DON'T WANT TO SEE A PICTURE OF YOUR BOSS WITH YOUR CAT!!!! To my mind, this activity is just a further example of people trying to do what cannot be done - strive for immortality. Get over it - you will die, and in a few years, no one will remember you. Sounds just fine to me.
Go Leafs Go!
Re: Scandalous? Photos Of Maple Leafs Shake NHL
By Michelle Kenneth, November 20, 2007 at 12:32Well, there's no proof that he is gay or bi-sexual. Some people are making the accusations based on that one photo (actually, the person who originally published the photos on the net is the one originating the accusation that Tlusty is gay/bi-sexual...he has no proof, just that photo).
Tlusty has scoffed any accusation that he is gay/bi-sexual. He said that he doesn't know anything about being gay. His English is limited, so I don't know if he knows what the meaning of the word is.
Most athletes keep their sexuality under wraps and don't reveal it until after retirement. There are some NHLers both present and past that I know for a fact to be bi-sexual. One of which can't get into the Hockey Hall of Fame because of his sexuality.
I would also like to believe that these guys are not beasts in the locker room. I know they gossip in there all the time (because what they say gets leaked out...and believe me, I've heard a lot of things)...but checking each other out...I believe that would violate a code of ethics and decorum in the locker room.
Even John Amaechi said he did not do that in the locker room. There is a time and a place for that, it's not in the workplace. They're not predators. It's not an open bar in the locker room. I'd give them a little more credit then that. They're there to do a job, not to jones on the other guys in the locker room.
Homophobia is not too far away from Racism. Both are an unfounded fear and hatred of something they do not quite understand.
Re: Scandalous? Photos Of Maple Leafs Shake NHL
By luyen, November 20, 2007 at 11:52I think in the sports locker-room, there are a lot of assumptions - there's the assumption the guy next to you is like a blue-collar worker, he clocks in his shifts just like you, gives it his all, in a very charged, sort of way.
Even in amateur hockey, guys regularly ridicule each other over benign things, even though everyone is married and older, there's a sense of being programmed to don armor and go do battle on the ice, no matter how civilized the game.
In that kind of atmosphere, sexual ambiguity or macho discomfort really throws those preconceptions for a loop...when guys shower with each other after the game, they'll do so in the most macho way possible... - there is a sense of security in that, and a great sense of insecurity in anything different.
I don't think there's a resolution here - this sort of thinking comes alot from programming as being "males" - i think we can change our attitudes, but to say that he'll be accepted with a pat on the back by the Leafs organization is too simplistic I think.
Re: Scandalous?
By Robyn Stubbs, November 16, 2007 at 10:31I interviewed Mark Tewksbury after he came out with his expose book "Inside Out: Straight Talk from a Gay Jock". He is a legend in Canada - a former Olympian who has won three Olympic medals, and set seven world records as a swimmer.
Reading this story reminded me of that interview, and the abuse and ridicule he told me he faced in the locker room growing up. How does your sexual preference factor in to your athletic ability? Not at all.
You can knock a guy out from behind with a cheap shot to the neck and ruin his career, but you can't be gay or bisexual in the NHL? What's wrong with this picture?