Posts Tagged ‘Games’

CBS Fouls Before the Big Game?

Posted by Bryan Blaise

Footbal Contrary to what those who know me personally may think, I do like college football — especially my USF Bulls and the Gators from childhood. I don't however though like that every year the biggest sports day of the year falls on or near my birthday. Talk about a dichotomy! I'm always aware of the Super Bowl and it's coverage, as I successfully try to plan my annual celebration of drinks, shopping and showtunes around the hyper-masculine festivities of food, football and friends.

Needless to say, the past few days I've been closely following the story of CBS's decision to largely approve conservative advocacy group Focus on the Family's (with its typically audience polarizing leader Dr. James Dobson) ad for the Super Bowl with UF star quarterback Tim Tebow. CBS came under fire from LGBT organizations and women's advocacy groups because many believe the ad will advocate pro-life beliefs, as Tebow's mother ignored doctors' recommendations to abort her pregnancy despite having contracted a serious infection.

While a definite proponent of the first amendment (we couldn't have the Out Front Blog without it), a marketplace of multiple and at times conflicting opinions, and the UF Gators, this issue gets stickier because in 2004 CBS denied the United Church of Christ's advertisement on tolerance, which included visual nods to gay couples, interracial couples and other marginalized communities.

Until today, CBS had been quiet on the issueand one LGBT blog noted Tebow's comments on always standing up for what he believes in. Today though CBS told the Los Angeles Times that it had eased the restrictions on advocacy ads, allowing those that are "responsibly produced." The network also noted that they would allow other advocacy groups to purchase the few remaining $2.5 million and $2.8 million ad spots if interested.

Only February 7 will tell whether Focus on the Family's ad with Tebow is responsible — both in it's production and message. We definitely will cover the ads, and who got things right and wrong from an LGBT communications perspective here on the blog. However, the stories and actions thus far raise some critical communication questions:

  1. Is the United Church of Christ ad (seen here) from six years ago produced responsibly? I think so, as it's addressing tolerance — and not just for a particular marginalized group. So why then was this ad denied then and Focus on the Family's yet-to-be-seen ad accepted today?
  2. Was the ease in CBS's restrictions communicated broadly to all organizations in advance of this year's game? If not, why so and how did Focus on the Family hear about the news?
  3. What message is Focus on the Family sending to its employees who were laid off this past year due to financial issues when it purchases a Super Bowl ad with a top sports athlete spokesperson? The organization has stated the ad is made possible from significant donations separate from its operating fund.
  4. Finally, is the Super Bowl a place for advocacy or politically-charged advertisements? I really like CBS Sports Columnist Gregg Doyel's column last week on the topic.

I guess if we're moving to this new era of Super Bowl ads, I hope LGBT advocacy organizations consider, and if appropriate, purchase an ad to get our messages out in front of a large audience. What are your thoughts? Do you agree with Doyel? Do you not care and just want to see the game? Let us know in the comments below.

| January 27th, 2010 No Comments »
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Chiefs Player Tweets Too Much

Posted by Laura Nguyen

J0407434 The leaves are changing colors and the sound of cheering rings in the air. Yes, it’s football season. For those like myself who are football widows, Sundays become a day of refuge and, well, errands. However, last Sunday I came across an alarming and very local, football story that did catch my eye.

Though the Kansas City Chiefs aren’t known for their athletic prowess and they aren’t regularly seen on national news or glossy covers, one Chief’s player did make major headlines for something else. Chief’s running back, Larry Johnson, posted a few negative comments about his coach and inflammatory remarks about gays via Twitter. Now, I could jump in and talk about the importance of an online governance plan, but I’ll save that for later.

Johnson not only used gay slurs online, he also made another derogatory comment to reporters, after refusing to speak with them. Let’s just say, it was the other F word. For those Kansas Citians, Johnson’s outburst doesn’t really come as a surprise. However, his discriminatory statements are unnecessary, inexcusable and unforgiveable.

Day in and day out, we stress the importance of communications and their role in perpetuating negative stereotypes. Social media allows such ignorance to survive. With so many voices and messages, social media also has the power to positively impact many with just over 100 characters. It is our responsibility to ensure these social media platforms are utilized in a respectful way.

Furthermore, for local media covering the story, please don’t forget about his anti-gay messages. This is more than just a story about an upset player talking negatively about his coach. Media has a responsibility to report the news, giving readers/viewers the whole story. Lack of media representation continues to be a challenge for the LGBT community, and this is another example of needed progress.

For more information, check out GLAAD's call for the NFL to speak out against Johnson. One quick update, as of this morning, Johnson has been suspended for two weeks.

| October 28th, 2009 No Comments »
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What a Difference a Gay Makes

Posted by Michael Murphy

MGR What a week. I've been trying to provide regular updates on Cleveland's bid to host the 2014 Gay Games. We are a week away from leaving for Cologne, Germany, which is the site of the 2010 Games. In Germany, we'll make a presentation to more than 70 delegates from around the world about why Cleveland should be selected as host.

It's fair to say that while only a few dozen of us are actually traveling across the pond to make the pitch, we are going there with the full support of our entire state, region and different markets from around the country.

Here are some examples of the positive momentum coming out of Ohio this week in support of not only our bid, but the LGBT community:

  • On Monday of this past week, at the request of Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson, Cleveland City Council unanimously passed Ordinance #1260-09 – a legislative measure that provides a $700,000 grant that will be dispersed if Cleveland is awarded the 2014 Gay Games. An additional $1.3 million in in-kind donations from the City of Cleveland will be furnished in the form of donated venues, such as Cleveland Browns stadium, as well as police and general support. This will push Cleveland's total contribution over $2 million. This same week, the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau reinforced its support for Cleveland to host the 2014 Gay Games with a pledge of $100,000 for event marketing and promotion. Talk about "show me the money."
  • Also this week, the Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 176, landmark legislation to guarantee equal rights in housing and employment to persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered. This is a huge development for our community in Ohio– a big leap forward in our fight for inclusion and recognition.
  • Just this morning, the Cleveland Plain Dealer's editorial staff endorsed Cleveland's bid, and especially the Cleveland Synergy Foundation. Best line of the editorial– "the aggressive leadership shown in the pursuit of this popular 10-day Olympiad has paid off in positive reviews, not just from the site selection committee but also from gay activists around the world who in turn are changing the perception of Cleveland — and Ohio."

All of this support is overwhelming. What started as an idea from three truly remarkable and passionate individuals here in Cleveland has turned into a movement. No matter what happens in Germany on September 29, Cleveland has won. We've won in the sense that there is a true community now in Ohio– a community without dividing lines, without walls. We're all working to make Ohio a better place for everyone, and we want the global LGBT community to realize that home is where the heart is– the heartland, and that is Ohio.

Off the soapbox, onto pop culture for this week's edition of Murphy's Musings on Pop Culture:

  • Glee. Coming out episode. Teenager in high school. Enough said.
  • Big Brother– gay contestant makes the final three. While I wasn't a fan of the contestant, loved that we had an openly gay guy making it through all of the backstabbing to get to the top three.
  • The Newlywed Game, which has been on and off the air since 1967, will kick off its second season, hosted by Carnie Wilson, on GSN Oct. 12. One of the couples? Star Trek alum George Takei and his husband, Brad Altman, will make television history as the first gay couple to compete on the show.

The Primetime Emmys are on Sunday. We've got our man Neil Patrick Harris hosting. Should be a good time! 

| September 18th, 2009 1 Comment »
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@ddressing Virtual Homophobia

Posted by Bryan Blaise

Comp

While traditional media continues to cover the many issues facing our community, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) recently announced a new program that extends the organization's LGBT advocacy efforts beyond traditional media into the realms of virtual communities, gaming and social networks.

While online networks have made it easier for LGBT youth and others to open the closet door with a few posts or tweets, these exponentially-growing communities can also harbor homophobic content from other users or dated policies that stifle an LGBT individual's expression. Personally, I have had to tackle my own set of homophobic postings, messages and DMs from random individuals or forgotten grade school acquaintances.

GLAAD's new program, to be headed by Director of Digital Media Justin Cole (who previously worked in the digital realm for Media Matters for America), will work to:

  • Provide a safe arena for LGBT people to connect
  • Develop policies with communities and networks that prevent anti-LGBT defamation while not prohibiting LGBT self-identification and expression
  • Educate communities and users about the effects of homophobia.

Read more »

| July 9th, 2009 2 Comments »
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Olympic Pride

Posted by Michael Murphy

Vancouver  Earlier this year, I promised that I would give regular updates on Cleveland’s bid to host Gay Games IX. Latest news is that we are preparing to host a visit from delegates of the Federation of Gay Games here in Cleveland in late July. We have some exciting events planned, so I will be sure to share photos here.

Now that I have immersed myself in everything related to LGBT sports, I wanted to share a bit more detail on a news item we tweeted for you earlier this month. As we all know, the 2010 Olympic Winter Games are just months away, and Vancouver will serve as the destination for this global showcase of athleticism. Anyone who has watched either the Summer or Winter Olympics knows about the “Olympic Village,” where each country has some sort of venue to showcase not only their culture, but to provide a haven for its athletes. This winter, for the first time in Olympic history, there will be “Pride House,” a place for LGBT athletes to relax, watch events and meet friends. The organizer, GayWhistler, designed Pride House as a safe space for out athletes, coaches, fans and allies to come and essentially be themselves.

As Dean Nelson of GayWhistler put it, the Olympics have a “pretty homophobic structure where being out is not really encouraged." he said. "We're hoping we can be a catalyst and change that perception.”

This is big news in the Olympic community. As Olympic historian Kevin Wamsley commented in the story, the Olympics have traditionally skirted around the issue of sexuality, and have not provided a friendly environment for LGBT athletes in the past. And, at this point, neither the Vancouver Organizing Committee nor the International Olympics Committee are partners in this effort.

I applaud…nay, give a standing ovation… to GayWhistler for creating Pride House. The Olympics bring the world together, and that includes the LGBT community. With so many media outlets expected to descend upon Vancouver, I hope that there will be an opportunity to generate great interest in the LGBT Olympic Athlete and for sponsors and companies to market to the LGBT community. More important, I hope the IOC recognizes and embraces the importance of the LGBT community. Olympic athletes are role models. Let them be Out Role Models.

| May 29th, 2009 1 Comment »
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