2/2 UPDATE: ESPN will remove the ad, embedded below, from its site and post a statement, its Associate Director of Diversity, Stephanie Turner, told GLAAD's Sports Media program Monday afternoon.(PageOneQ)
2/1: ESPN has released a new commercial advertising a website that is being billed as the destination for information on the NBA. The site provides information on their 'NBA on ESPN RV Tour' a promotion for ABC and ESPN and scheduling for upcoming basketball games.
They have released this new commercial in which Shaquille O'Neal finds the homo insinuation of a "fist kiss" to be "weird & disgusting." He goes on to make fun of the suggestion, in an effeminate voice.
Networks like ESPN, ABC, and stars like Shaquille O'Neal should be held to a higher standard. Millions of young people look to these shows, and celebrities as role models and for their guidelines. Commercials like these perpetuate fear of homosexuality and continue a condemnation of gayness and gender expression.
Voice your concern by calling on ESPN/ABC to remove this offensive commercial immediately.
ESPN
ESPN Plaza
Bristol, CT 06010
http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/contact
http://abc.go.com/site/contactus.html?cat=ABC%20Sports
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5 comments:
I saw that on Sci-Fi channel late at night and was not comfortable with it, either. For more in the same vein, try watching Spike TV some time.
I laughed! FIST KISS! I couldn't
help it...Just one of those things...
TACKLE YOU HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn't see that as homophobic... I saw that as awkward!
Awesome work at QU! This blog rocks!
Thank you Stephen, but remember it is our collective voice as a community, we speak up, we get heard, if we are silent nobody cares.
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