A Small Civic Duty for Gay Rights

[lavender]

Last night, as we were watching Monday Night Football Mouse and I were shocked to see that a company is using Jeremy Shockey for their endorsement.

For those of you who do not know much about Shockey, he is an NFL tight end for the New York Giants. Shockey has made numerous very negative statements about gays. He is basically an admitted homophobe.

Well, someone has actually given this man an endorsement - Casio. I have taken it upon myself to email Casio and tell them how disappointed I am that they chose to use a man filled with such hate to endorse their products.

I just wanted to let you guys know - maybe you can let your voice be heard.

In my opinion, our companies should not use a man who is making such hate-filled comments against homosexuals to endorse their product.

We should let them know that this is unacceptable.

 

[lavender]

Some statements made by Shockey:

"In a Sept. 10 interview on The Howard Stern radio show, Shockey was asked on-air by producer Gary Del 'Abate if he thought there were any gay players in the NFL.

"I don't know, I don't like to think about that. I hope not," Shockey said.

When asked if he ever dealt with any gay teammates on his college football team, Shockey gave a somewhat confusing answer:

"No, I mean, if I knew there was a gay guy on my college football team, I probably wouldn't, you know, stand for it.""

http://www.outsports.com/nfl/2002/0922shockeystern.htm

 

[Queersetti]

He wouldn't "stand for it"?

Thank you for that info Lavy.

It seems pretty idiotic for a major corporation to identify themselves with someone like that. We have a bit of punch in the buying power category.

 

[lavender]

All of your time it would take is to go to the casio website and send one of those online emails expressing your disappointment in the company for using him to endorse their product.

It would take less than 2 minutes of your time.

I'm going to post this thread on the GB as well. I think Casio should at least receive a few emails regarding this idiotic choice.

 

[SensualMan]

Hate filled?

Those comments were hate filled? Oh man, you really need to get some thicker skin! So he doesn't like gay people...live with it! He didn't say he would beat a gay person up, or threaten any violence. All he said is that he wouldn't stand for it. Read into it what you will, but it amazes me how truely sad that is. Just accept that there will always be people that will not accept you our your lifestyle choice. He has every right to voice his opinion. And you have every right to email Casio and give their executives a good laugh. I am sure they will not pull the ads because it might offend a few thin-skinned gays. There are plenty of other people they can sell watches too. There are a lot more sports fans out there that like to see athletes in commercials than there are gays that might protest.

 

[lavender]

You don't get it, but that's ok. Many people don't - and those that don't, never will.

 

[Queersetti]

I think that there are more than a few gays who know from personal experience what happens when guys like Shockey decide they aren't going to "stand for" our presence.

 

[Luna_Wolf72]

Hear, hear dearest big brother!!!

pet

(edited to say...i can not type today)

 

[Etoile]

Re: Hate filled?

Those comments were hate filled? Oh man, you really need to get some thicker skin! So he doesn't like gay people...live with it! He didn't say he would beat a gay person up, or threaten any violence. All he said is that he wouldn't stand for it. Read into it what you will, but it amazes me how truely sad that is. Just accept that there will always be people that will not accept you our your lifestyle choice. He has every right to voice his opinion. And you have every right to email Casio and give their executives a good laugh. I am sure they will not pull the ads because it might offend a few thin-skinned gays. There are plenty of other people they can sell watches too. There are a lot more sports fans out there that like to see athletes in commercials than there are gays that might protest.

Yes, I would say his comments are hate-filled. He's not just offending a few people, either. He's been in my local gay paper's Action Alert column, and I believe he's made appearances in Out and The Advocate for his feelings. It has nothing to do with thick or thin skin; it has to do with the fact that he's a celebrity and making intolerant comments is going to bite him in the media-driven ass.