Friday, May 04, 2012

BIG LEAGUE MIRACLE

Time:  Near future.

Place: ATT Park, Giants' Press Room

Manager Bruce Bochy at the dais. Room jammed with reporters and cameras.

BOCHY: Thanks for coming.  Today we brought up a great young pitcher from double-A, Johnny Doe. He's got a live arm, and we need his live arm.

Young Johnny Doe moves to the microphone.

JOHNNY:  Thank you, sir.  I feel privileged to have a shot at the Major Leagues right out of high school. It's an amazing challenge.

There's a pause then Johnny continues:

JOHNNY: Please take note:  I am Gay. Completely, 100% Gay.

The silence shows how unexpected this was, then the reporters recover and start shouting question.

Tim Lincecum steps to the dais and leans into the microphone.

LINCECUM: Anyone have a problem with Johnny... you got a problem with me!

Tim hugs Johnny Doe and takes a place next to him, facing the reporters.

Angel Pagan moves to the microphone. He seems particularly intense.

PAGAN:  If anyone... anyone! has a problem with Johnny Doe, you got a problem with me!

And so it goes, through the entire Giants roster, the short speech, the embrace, then standing shoulder-to-shoulder.

Finally, after twenty-three repetitions, some pro-forma, some glowering, Bruce Bochy, returns to the microphone.

BOCHY:  Thanks for coming, we won't be taking any questions.

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Thursday, May 03, 2012

PIMPING THE LGBT BRAND

Now that the U.S. Military welcomes openly gay and lesbian recruits, professional sports remains the leading proponent of gay-exclusion.

There are more than 750 men employed as players by Major League Baseball.

There are zero (0.00%) openly gay players in Major League Baseball.

The only possible explanation for this amazing statistic is that Major League Baseball has and maintains a hostile work environment for openly Gay players.

Yet, the San Francisco Lesbian and Gay Freedom Band performs at Giants' LGBT Night promotions. A video on their website shows a pep contingent playing in the stands on a previous Gay Night

Another SF Giants LGBT Night is coming up May 29. Purchasers of special tickets will receive the knit cap pictured below.

image

What could the gay band's participation signify but approval for the status quo in MLB?

According to the Giants' website, a portion of the special event ticket price will be donated to LGBT non-profits.

So questions for Julie Williamson, president of the San Francisco Lesbian and Gay Freedom Band, include:

1) Will the Gay Band (SFLGFB) participate in the Giants LGBT Night on May 29?

2) How much money has SFLGFB received from the Giants in the past?

3) How much does SFLGFB expect to receive from the May 29 proceeds?

4) Why else would a gay band perform for such a blatantly homophobic organization?

Consider the positive effect of Gay pro athletes and their supportive straight teammates coming out.

What if it became fashionable for athletes to protect gay kids from bullying?

What if...

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