Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers NBA team was fined $100,000 yesterday and earned himself condemnation from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), according to an article in the New York Times.
His crime: calling a referee a “fucking faggot” after being called on a foul.
In recent years, there have been a growing number of celebrities being called out on these sorts of outbursts, using gay slurs. Even Perez Hilton, an openly gay blogger, was criticized by the HRC for an anti-gay slur he used in a confrontation with will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas in 2009.
The excuse used by both Bryant and Hilton was that it was in the heat of the moment–it was just an angry outburst.
But does that excuse this kind of behavior? Would we excuse Tom Brady if he called someone a “nigger”? Would Bryant get away with it? Would another basketball player be allowed to call Yao Ming a “chink”?
In addition to paying the $100,000 fine, Bryant called the HRC to apologize for his actions. In 2009, Hilton also issued an apology, as did many other celebrities caught using racial or anti-gay slurs in recent years.
People (not only celebrities) need to learn and understand that anti-gay slurs are no more acceptable in a free society than racial slurs or any other kind of slur. We need to send a message that there is no excuse for using anti-gay slurs–saying “I was just mad” is not a Get-Out-of-Jail-Free card, anymore.
Comment and let me know what you think or vote in the poll below. Like this post? Be sure to click “like” or share with your friends on facebook and twitter!
You're gay?! 