tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14585043.post2181593697485627948..comments2023-05-21T23:23:54.991+09:30Comments on yaniism: akermanis is probably right...yanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12485651711046974936noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14585043.post-37300843366282408922010-05-26T09:46:52.519+09:302010-05-26T09:46:52.519+09:30Just picked this up from towleroad, in case you ha...Just picked this up from towleroad, in case you haven't seen it: "Akermanis has reportedly been admonished by players and coaches at the Western Bulldogs. He also apparently has a ghost writer who writes for him, and he insists that certain parts of his column weren't approved" http://www.towleroad.com/2010/05/home-of-homophobic-australian-footballer-akermanis-egged.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+towleroad/feed+(Towleroad+Daily++%23gay+news)Janekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04615501033470254470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14585043.post-62651232103204142732010-05-22T15:33:48.507+09:302010-05-22T15:33:48.507+09:30The problem with taking quotes out of context (and...The problem with taking quotes out of context (and I'm guilty of it too with my original post) is that you can make them fit anything you like.<br /><br />But the very next thing he says after that first quote is something I used in my post...<br /><br />"What I should have done was to sit down and talk with him in an attempt to understand his life."<br /><br />And he's stating the facts about what happened. He wasn't the first person to walk out, or the only one, which doesn't make it right, but it's something he witnessed.<br /><br />It's also in the past and not something he can now change.<br /><br />The other quote isn't in the original article, and since I've avoided the rest of the media bunfight I can't comment.<br /><br />I will say that while that second comment isn't particularly enlightened, I would imagine a lot of straight guys would feel the same way in general, and pretending they don't doesn't get us anywhere.yanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485651711046974936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14585043.post-45483901384289087642010-05-22T10:20:08.664+09:302010-05-22T10:20:08.664+09:30I've pasted below two of the quotes by Ackerma...I've pasted below two of the quotes by Ackermanis. In my view the clear inference is that Ackermanis feels a gay footballer might be tempted in the dressing room environment to make a move on him or other straight footballers.<br /><br />I wonder if Ackermanis was aware of the irony in his comment about patting other players' bums?<br /><br /><i>"I have played with a gay player in the twos for Mayne in Queensland in the mid-1990s who was happy to admit his sexual persuasion. He was a great guy who played his heart out and was respected by everyone in the team.<br /><br />The only time I noticed a difference was when I was showering with 10 other players after a good win and I turned around to see all 10 heading out in a second with their towels. Sure enough, our gay teammate had wandered in.<br /><br />For some reason I felt uncomfortable, so I left. I am sure most players these days would do the same.<br /><br />I know he wasn't about to try and convert me to his way of thinking, but I was uncomfortable all the same."</i><br /><br />and<br /><br /><i>"When you're slapping blokes on the bum and just having a bit of fun, what would that do to a man in there when you actually work out, 'Oh wait a second, wait a second. I don't know if I can handle that guy."</i>Victorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14778094395442538035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14585043.post-67806360818632706632010-05-21T07:09:02.176+09:302010-05-21T07:09:02.176+09:30Both of you raise a good point about Ian Roberts, ...Both of you raise a good point about Ian Roberts, but to be honest I thought he'd come out after retiring, or at least retired in very short order afterwards (obviously not). I also think that with the exceptions of NSW and QLD, AFL is probably predominant over rugby, so it would likely carry more weight nationally.<br /><br />Also, has Ian Roberts had a career as anything other than "the gay former rugby player" since then?<br /><br />And Janek, I was agreement with most of what you said right up until the last sentence... at no point in his article did he say that he thought all gay men wanted to have sex with him, and reducing him to that stereotype doesn't help the situation.yanihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485651711046974936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14585043.post-56756725571758590882010-05-20T23:24:23.541+09:302010-05-20T23:24:23.541+09:30OK, I admit to having steered clear of comment on ...OK, I admit to having steered clear of comment on this all day, but you've raised some interesting points. I am glad that Akermanis is supportive of issues like IDAHO, Youth Suicide, and so forth. Stating that it will "destroy the fabric of the club", however, is counter-productive. I agree, taunts and teasing can prevail through a homophobic crowd, but the thought that some small child may be inspired to see that, no matter who you are, it's ok to be that person, surely this is more important. Yes, to be the first AFL player would be a big task, but I'm fairly certain there will be a first for everything. There was a famous Welsh rugby player who came out last year, and, to my knowledge, he is still performing well.<br />Look, I'm of the opinion that homophobia should be completely stamped out, people should feel free to come out as they like, and articles like this would be moot. I say this, though, as I think, somewhat terrified, about coming out to my father. I don't think his article was productive, but I can see the argument you're trying to make. Nonetheless, maybe Akermanis needs to realise that a gay man won't want to have sex with him. Goodness knows I don't.Janekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04615501033470254470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14585043.post-18018333045801118402010-05-20T22:50:26.188+09:302010-05-20T22:50:26.188+09:30Rugby league player Ian Roberts came out 15 years ...Rugby league player Ian Roberts came out 15 years ago while still playing for Manly and for NSW to great support. It was the year Manly were minor premiership winners and it didn't break the club. I personally think Akermanis underestimates the maturity of his fellow players. I suspect a player coming out now would be supported quite vocally, the club he belongs to would be fine, and it would only be a handful of people who would have problems.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02222474768657920061noreply@blogger.com