Steve Tew: New Zealand ready for a gay All Black
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<p>I kinda hate articles like this.</p>
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<p>I don't think a player's sexuality is anyone elses business. Ever. Nor should that player have to come out to the general public just cos of their job.</p>
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<p>I would certainly hope that a gay player would never be selected or not selected due to who they love, bur further than that, I don't feel it is a single person's responsibility to be the GAY ALL BLACK either. Gay kids/teens need understanding and tolerance from all areas - NZ did a great thing in legalising marriage equality - but one gay AB isn't going to magically change the old school bullshit homophobia.</p> -
<p>I don't remember a horde of Gay Aussie League players coming out after Ian Roberts did so and he would have retired nearly 20 years ago.</p>
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<p>Someone told me that the French Rugby team that famously beat the ABs 2-0 in 1994 contained not one but TWO blokes who preferred the company of other men.</p>
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<p>Oh the shame !</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="584390" data-time="1464732972"><p>
Is this really an issue anymore? Some activists and the perpetually outraged will say it is. And yes there are some Neanderthals who will be homophobic no matter how much sensitivity training they receive. But, it seems to me that when a celebrity or sportsperson comes out, the general reaction is a massive gallic shrug. I don't think people genuinely give a shit anymore.<br><br>
I find it a bit weird when Tew says stuff like "sexual diversity". How about:<br><br>
"The NZRU doesn't give a shit about what you do in the bedroom, the colour of your skin, or the God you may or may not believe in. Be a good person and treat others with respect and dignity and there will always be a place for you in NZ rugby."</p></blockquote>
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Pretty much this . Who gives a shit anymore? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="584408" data-time="1464735017">
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<p>From what I hear at the sideline or in the stands when watching club rugby, or read about in the media, it is still an issue. The bigotry and name-calling is sometimes terrible. Homophobic, sexist and racist abuse is still widely prevalent among <em>some </em>NZ crowds. Having racial diversity in the ABs hasn't stopped that, so I'm not sure having an openly gay All Black will stop homophobic behaviour, but it may help to a degree. And it's not just about the crowds; it may also help gay players to come out of the closet.</p>
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<p>Perhaps it depends on the intent of the policy. If the policy is genuinely there to be inclusive - "hey, we welcome anybody with open arms into the sport" then that is to be applauded. The same policy should be immediately extended to Chinese and Indians, and to Jews and Muslims and so forth. </p>
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<p>The policy might also have several other intents - e.g. to encourage two gay parents to consider letting their son or daughter play rugby because that is what the child wants to do (even if the parents don't really), or so the gay parents can feel more secure that other parents on the sidelines won't look sideways at them. These are also desirable outcomes.</p>
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<p>More cynically the policy might be simply to encourage commercial growth - gays (with their reputedly higher disposable incomes) might be more likely to attend games and buy licensed merchandise and Sky Sports subscriptions, or to go to club footy and spend at the bar.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="584408" data-time="1464735017">
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<p>From what I hear at the sideline or in the stands when watching club rugby, or read about in the media, it is still an issue. The bigotry and name-calling is sometimes terrible. Homophobic, sexist and racist abuse is still widely prevalent among <em>some </em>NZ crowds. Having racial diversity in the ABs hasn't stopped that, so I'm not sure having an openly gay All Black will stop homophobic behaviour, but it may help to a degree. And it's not just about the crowds; it may also help gay players to come out of the closet.</p>
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<p>Like I said, there will always be dickheads. I'm just not sure that this type of focus and talk of "sexual diversity" is particularly beneficial. If there is a gay AB out there, he probably isn't overly keen on the idea of being paraded around as "the gay Allblack", i.e. being treated differently to everyone else.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="584381" data-time="1464727566"><p>
I find it really strange that people can be so interested in what other people do in the privacy of their own bedroom. Creepy really. When I meet someone, who they have sex with and how they do it are not really at the top of my list of things I want to know about them.<br><br>
We could delve into another debate on religion here... :)</p></blockquote>
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I've always thought my interest in what our sapphic sisters got up to in the bedroom was celebrating diversity rather than creepy. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Rancid Schnitzel" data-cid="584437" data-time="1464739496"><p>
Like I said, there will always be dickheads. I'm just not sure that this type of focus and talk of "sexual diversity" is particularly beneficial. If there is a gay AB out there, he probably isn't overly keen on the idea of being paraded around as "the gay Allblack", i.e. being treated differently to everyone else.</p></blockquote>
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The last part is probably a huge factor, it'd be pretty hard to have a relationship too if the media saw you as there go to person every time a gay rights issue came up. Someone might actually want that and good on them if they do but the 100000 watt glare of being an ab in a rugby mad country would be more than enough attention for most people I would have thought. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="584444" data-time="1464740002">
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<p>I've always thought my interest in what our sapphic sisters got up to in the bedroom was celebrating diversity rather than creepy.</p>
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<p>I've been tonsils-deep in a young lady who later became a code hopper (I don't claim responsibility for that). In at least one particular respect I did not note any diversity whatsoever between her and a garden variety lady.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Provincial Stalwart" data-cid="584455" data-time="1464741678"><p>
I've been tonsils-deep in a young lady who later became a code hopper (I don't claim responsibility for that). In at least one particular respect I did not note any diversity whatsoever between her and a garden variety lady.</p></blockquote>
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Are you sure? I'd associate the phrase tonsils deep more with a chutney ferret than a lotus patch -
I got the tip off about Roberts years before he came out , in a conversation with some kiwi internationals . Won't mention their names here . <br><br>
Not sure how other players would be now , but back then , these guys thought it was a bit funny . -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="jegga" data-cid="584473" data-time="1464745563">
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<p>Are you sure? I'd associate the phrase tonsils deep more with a chutney ferret than a lotus patch</p>
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<p>On reflection I can see the association you have made. My terminology seems to be amiss and I do apologise for my lack of accuracy. As to the actual situation, I can confirm that it was like Mr Whippy had trundled into my neighbourhood and I had ordered a warm fish milkshake.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="584477" data-time="1464747394">
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<p>I got the tip off about Roberts years before he came out , in a conversation with some kiwi internationals . Won't mention their names here ..</p>
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<p>Ridge is one of Robert's best friends from their Manly days.</p>
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<p>If you believe some of the rumours, and the story from a former TVNZ presenter we've already had gay ABs.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="584488" data-time="1464748783">
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<p>If you believe some of the rumours, and the story from a former TVNZ presenter we've already had gay ABs.</p>
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<p>It's highly likely, but who cares.</p>
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<p>This 'news' is about as interesting as the bloody bachelor, or one of those never ending home renovation shows. </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Gunner" data-cid="584491" data-time="1464749737">
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<p>It's highly likely, but who cares.</p>
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<p><strong>This 'news' is about as interesting as the bloody bachelor, or one of those never ending home renovation shows. </strong></p>
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<p>pretty low starting point...I could write a blog about what I did at work today between 11.59 and 12.01 and expect it would be more interesting than the bachelor.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="584497" data-time="1464753716">
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<p>pretty low starting point...I could write a blog about what I did at work today between 11.59 and 12.01 and expect it would be more interesting than the bachelor.</p>
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<p>Prepping your 12:05 and 12:08 posts?</p> -
<p>nah, I did that yesterday.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Smudge" data-cid="584387" data-time="1464729893"><p>
Good god, you're a drama queen. <br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
Just to confirm, I'm not using the word ''queen'' in a homophobic way.<br></p></blockquote>
Hard to deny though that there is a problem with homophobic, racist and anti-Semitic abuse on-line and in some places it is getting worse. Over the years, the Fern has been well moderated and regulated. <br><br>
I'm not mad keen on the way one or two mods at the moment think it is their prerogative to abuse fellow posters. And yes I'll make a drama of my opposition to racism and bigotry.