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| In the middle east, men holding hands is customary. In America, it's a sign of the Apocalypse, especially if the two men are black. |
I doubt that Americans will ever be able to face the fact that the word homosexual is not a noun. The root of this word, as Americans use it — or, as this word uses Americans — simply involves a terror of any human touch, since any human touch can change you. — James Baldwin, The Price of the Ticket
I don't understand the big deal.
Immediately after last Sunday's Toronto Raptors vs. Orlando Magic NBA game, where the Raptors pulled a surprising win over the Magic, the Raptors' Leandro Barbosa grabbed and held the hand of his teammate Reggie Evans. The action sparked a homophobic uproar on the Internet.
From Outsports:
While Barbosa remained stone-face, Evans was good-natured and gave a big smile. The duo had a strong night with 18 points on 9-for-15 shooting. That didn’t stop many from spewing homophobia on YouTube at the players, their team, and a Toronto fan and RealGM moderator named Little Ozzy [some language NSFW]:
4lyfesports: so not only does [head coach] jay triano have to deal with barnani and calderon but these fags has well?!?!?!?! its a miracle they even won 21 games!!! give him coach of the year!
ir0ckfartz: Wow, you guys are talking over the YouTube comments sections? How romantic…ha, faggs.
Creamybrown07: Little Ozzy is a hugeee fucking panzy who gets it up his ass by not only Barbosa and Reggie, but by the rest of the team, including Triano, the golden boy Colangelo, Even Gheradini! The Raptors Mascot actually ended up jizzing on Little Ozzys face, while Ozzy took it like the gay fuck he is. … Disgusting
MrDarkStalker15: I think Reggie Evans is GAY. He likes tossing the salad. Remember him grabbing Chris Kaman’s balls? I think Leandro Barbosa knows that Evans likes men holding his hand so he’s messing with him…
I wonder if these people realize how ridiculous they sound. Or how much their words reveal them.
Whether they're gay or not, I find something genuinely heartwarming and courageous about people who are secure enough to publicly display (what should be considered innocuous forms of) affection: