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Charles Barkley supports gay athletes: 'As a black person, I can't be in for any form of discrimination'
Now, this is refreshing to hear not just for us, but for all the young closeted kids and gay athletes out there who can benefit from former NBA player and Olympian Charles Barkley's pro-gay stance.
"First of all, society discriminates against gay people," Barkley says during a recent radio interview. "They always try to make it like jocks discriminate against gay people. I've been a big proponent of gay marriage for a long time, because as a black person, I can't be in for any form of discrimination at all."
Barkley made the statements after being asked how he felt regarding two basketball figures, Phoenix Suns executive Rick Welts and former Villanova starter Will Sheridan, who recently came out.
Barkley, who was known to be one of the most aggressive players of his day, says that not only does he know he has played with gay teammates before, but he doesn't care about their sexual orientation.
"It bothers me when I hear these reporters and jocks get on TV and say: 'Oh, no guy can come out in a team sport, these guys would go crazy,'" he says. "First of all, quit telling me what I think. I'd rather have a gay guy who can play than a straight guy who can't play."
Do you share Barkley's take on gay athletes and gay rights in general?
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Barkley's been a cool guy in my book for a while now, this statement just validates that! I hope in the future more gay men will feel comfortable being open about their sexuality from the start of their NBA careers.
Full acceptance of gays is the future of America! Jump on the bandwagon or you're fixin' to get left in the dust!! :)
Thumbs up! ☺
true dat. :)
He must need a better gig.
I always planned to try to get some of that one day when we meet at a celebrity party, now I'll have to rethink it because it probably won't be taboo for him to consider, I like a challenge.
Well said Sir Charles...now, if all the gay men in the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB come out, it would really be awesome! Talk about role models and dealing homophobia a kick in the head!
discrimination is like a disease, its just in the nerves of some people... charles just proven himself as one real athlete...
I think for what he's saying, the "as a blk person", part, isn't necessary, and Charles Barkley's basically for anything without it even being about this.
Ditto to Joey
"Well said Sir Charles...now, if all the gay men in the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB come out, it would really be awesome! Talk about role models and dealing homophobia a kick in the head!"
Finally some courage! Thank you Charles, it takes many voices to make change. Hopefully the sports world will build on this.