Blazers & Timbers endorse same sex marriage

[Boob-No-More]

Sports should be for everyone, regardless of who they vote for or what they believe.

Equal rights should be for everyone, regardless of who they vote for or what they believe.

Supporting gay marriage does not deny straight couples the right to marry. It does not infringe on their rights in any way.

BNM

 

[Natebishop3]

Some people feel that equal rights should be for everyone regardless of their political or religious beliefs.



The same way I'd feel if they came out against straight marriage, or if they came out against interracial marriage, or any other stance that denied equal rights to law abiding citizens of this country. A pro gay marriage stance does not deny anyone's rights. An anti gay (or anti straight or anti interracial) marriage stance does.

BNM

I am not arguing whether gay marriage is right or wrong. I am in favor of gay marriage. I am in favor of equal rights. That's not the issue here.

My point is that it alienates a portion of the fans. The only reason why these teams came out in favor of gay marriage is because they're located in Portland. It's a popular opinion in this area. Would you see a team in a predominantly conservative region come out in favor of gay marriage publicly?

I'm not talking about whether gay marriage is right or wrong. It doesn't even matter what issue it is. I don't think sports teams should come out publicly about political issues. Period. How would you feel if a team in Texas or Oklahoma came out against gay marriage? It would piss you off, right?

They just need to stay out of it entirely.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

Gay marriage is political in the same way that heliocentrism is religious: dickheads tried to make it so.

You're right. Because 100% of the population supports gay marriage. So therefore it can't be questioned. Everyone who attends just has to sack up or be outcast as bigots and inbred Hicks with no internets.

hoop fam

 

[Natebishop3]

Equal rights should be for everyone, regardless of who they vote for or what they believe.

Supporting gay marriage does not deny straight couples the right to marry. It does not infringe on their rights in any way.

BNM

You are clearly not understanding what my point is.

If the Blazers came out publicly against gay marriage, if they came out publicly against abortion, if they came out for Romney in the last election... would it affect how you felt about the team? Would you have a hard time supporting the team?

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

For me personally I don't give a shit about gay marriage. I'm not for it or against it but the political cock sucking on the issue just turns me off as annoying.

I dont want to hear about it related to basketball.

hoop fam

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

I am also anti spanish night. Don't give a fuck about their black historical month shit either. Nba cares. Its all like having female refs. ... crap.

hoop fam

 

[Boob-No-More]

I am not arguing whether gay marriage is right or wrong. I am in favor of gay marriage. I am in favor of equal rights. That's not the issue here.

My point is that it alienates a portion of the fans. The only reason why these teams came out in favor of gay marriage is because they're located in Portland. It's a popular opinion in this area. Would you see a team in a predominantly conservative region come out in favor of gay marriage publicly?

I'm not talking about whether gay marriage is right or wrong. It doesn't even matter what issue it is. I don't think sports teams should come out publicly about political issues. Period. How would you feel if a team in Texas or Oklahoma came out against gay marriage? It would piss you off, right?

They just need to stay out of it entirely.

I applaud the Blazers in their pro gay marriage stance. Sometimes doing the right thing is more important than maximizing profits.

Yes, I would be offended if they came out with an anti gay marriage stance. I'd be equally offended if they came out with a statement that denied equal rights to straight people, or interracial couples.

I'm sure many baseball and basketball teams that were accepting of African American players back in the 1950s also alienated a portion of their fan base. Good for them.

So, just to be clear, I'm not just pro gay marriage. I'm pro equal rights. Thankfully, we've come far enough in this country that sport teams don't feel the need to release pro racial equality statements. Hopefully, in another decade or two we'll be able to say the same thing about equal rights for gay people.

BNM

 

[MARIS61]

Why? I don't really see what the problem with that is.

The Blazers have absolutely sucked for a full decade now.

Maybe they should concentrate on their job description until they reach a point that they are actually earning their money. Until they become winners, they are losers. Not role models, not wise sages, just losers.

Why would I look to a bunch of losers for moral guidance?

 

[MARIS61]

Maybe the Blazers could endorse something important like winning at some point

It was so long ago most posters here have never watched a really good Blazer team play, except on youtube.

 

[Natebishop3]

I applaud the Blazers in their pro gay marriage stance. Sometimes doing the right thing is more important than maximizing profits.

Yes, I would be offended if they came out with an anti gay marriage stance. I'd be equally offended if they came out with a statement that denied equal rights to straight people, or interracial couples.

I'm sure many baseball and basketball teams that were accepting of African American players back in the 1950s also alienated a portion of their fan base. Good for them.

So, just to be clear, I'm not just pro gay marriage. I'm pro equal rights. Thankfully, we've come far enough in this country that sport teams don't feel the need to release pro racial equality statements. Hopefully, in another decade or two we'll be able to say the same thing about equal rights for gay people.

BNM

Why are you making this about whether gay marriage is right or wrong? I've explicitly said that this is not the issue for me. My issue is with sports teams coming out publicly for ANY political issue.

You already said that you would be offended if the Blazers came out against gay marriage. How would that affect your ability to support the team?

And you guys really need to stop bringing up black athletes. It was in the best interest of baseball to start playing black athletes because they were an untapped resource of talented players. It was stupid that they weren't signing black athletes in the first place. How does this compare to gay marriage in any way?

 

[Boob-No-More]

You are clearly not understanding what my point is.

If the Blazers came out publicly against gay marriage, if they came out publicly against abortion, if they came out for Romney in the last election... would it affect how you felt about the team? Would you have a hard time supporting the team?

Oh, I understand it completely. You don't seem to understand that supporting equal rights for ALL citizens is different than endorsing a specific political candidate.

A pro gay marriage stance does not infringe on anyone's civil rights.

Any anti gay (or anti straight, or anti interracial) stance does.

Endorsing a specific political candidate does not infringe on anyone's civil rights.

Yes, they could just keep their mouth's shut and not risk alienating anyone, but that's a cowardly thing to do.

BNM

 

[Natebishop3]

Oh, I understand it completely. You don't seem to understand that supporting equal rights for ALL citizens is different than endorsing a specific political candidate.

A pro gay marriage stance does not infringe on anyone's civil rights.

Any anti gay (or anti straight, or anti interracial) stance does.

Endorsing a specific political candidate does not infringe on anyone's civil rights.

Yes, they could just keep their mouth's shut and not risk alienating anyone, but that's a cowardly thing to do.

BNM

So you picked the political candidate, but you didn't mention abortion, which is a similarly divisive issue in this country. Why can't the Blazers come out anti-abortion? That's equal rights. The right to live, right? Can the Blazers come out against abortion and tell little girls that they should have their babies?

You already said you'd be offended if the team came out against gay marriage. You're only proving my point. We don't need sports teams to get involved. There's already plenty of support for gay marriage. Let sports be an escape from all the problems we have.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Oh, I understand it completely. You don't seem to understand that supporting equal rights for ALL citizens is different than endorsing a specific political candidate.

A pro gay marriage stance does not infringe on anyone's civil rights.

Any anti gay (or anti straight, or anti interracial) stance does.

Endorsing a specific political candidate does not infringe on anyone's civil rights.

Yes, they could just keep their mouth's shut and not risk alienating anyone, but that's a cowardly thing to do.

BNM

100% agreed.

 

[Natebishop3]

100% agreed.

Of course you agree.

I want to see someone who is against gay marriage come in here and agree.

 

[crandc]

It's not politics. It's equal rights for all. That's like saying the MLB shouldn't have endorsed black players like Jackie Robinson because "it's a polarizing issue."

Damn you, KS, you beat me to the punch!

Yes, really controversial. Next thing you know they may give female staff members equal pay. Or get rid of the whites only and coloreds only water fountains.

Incidentally, is there some kind of link to this endorsement? Did they take a political stand, or merely extend benefits to same sex partners (which most large and numerous small and medium businesses, and the federal government when it operates, do)?

 

[Natebishop3]

Damn you, KS, you beat me to the punch!

Yes, really controversial. Next thing you know they may give female staff members equal pay. Or get rid of the whites only and coloreds only water fountains.

Incidentally, is there some kind of link to this endorsement? Did they take a political stand, or merely extend benefits to same sex partners (which most large and numerous small and medium businesses, and the federal government when it operates, do)?

I extend the same question to you Crand, would you continue to follow the team if they publicly came out against gay marriage?

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I don't care for it much. I'm pro-gay marriage and all but I believe sports organizations should remain neutral to all controversial political topics.

Now if the players want to come out and support it I would have no problem as they are an individual.

 

[Natebishop3]

I don't care for it much. I'm pro-gay marriage and all but I believe sports organizations should remain neutral to all controversial political topics.

Now if the players want to come out and support it I would have no problem as they are an individual.

This. Exactly. Thank you.

Repped.

 

[TradeNurkicNow]

I'm pretty sure this is a better investment than coming out against it or not taking a position at all.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm pretty sure this is a better investment than coming out against it or not taking a position at all.

How is it a better "investment" than taking no position at all?

 

[BBert]

Some of you act like "equal rights" is not politics. Many people have died fighting for "equal rights". Many people have killed fighting against equal rights. If you think the issue of gay MARRIAGE isn't politics, you are fucking stupid, or in total fucking denial based on your own biases.

All of us 'right-thinking' folks are in favor of equal rights. That doesn't mean we don't have to win equal rights in the political arena every time a new group asks for inclusion.

 

[TradeNurkicNow]

How is it a better "investment" than taking no position at all?

Because it's good press?

 

[BBert]

Because it's good press?

So then is Rupert Murdoch's Faux News media empire going to endorse the Blazers endorsing gay marriage?

I can't wait to see that.

 

[Natebishop3]

Some of you act like "equal rights" is not politics. Many people have died fighting for "equal rights". Many people have killed fighting against equal rights. If you think the issue of gay MARRIAGE isn't politics, you are fucking stupid, or in total fucking denial based on your own biases.

All of us 'right-thinking' folks are in favor of equal rights. That doesn't mean we don't have to win equal rights in the political arena every time a new group asks for inclusion.

I just don't think politics should be brought into sports. Just leave it out. It's that simple.

 

[Natebishop3]

Because it's good press?

Good press for whom exactly? The Blazers? Does it really help them? They're preaching to the choir in Portland. That's like coming out and publicly saying that the Prius is a great car! If Portland was a conservative city, then it would be news if a pro team came out in favor of gay marriage, but Portland isn't OKC or Texas.

 

[Natebishop3]

Here is the official endorsement, if anyone was curious.

http://www.nba.com/blazers/news/trail-blazers-endorse-marriage-equality

“The Portland Trail Blazers are in support of the Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection ballot initiative. We do so as believers in individual choice as a fundamental right of all people.”

 

[BBert]

I just don't think politics should be brought into sports. Just leave it out. It's that simple.

I get that that is your position. It's obvious that is your position. What I don't get is how that simple position gets all twisted around by some people's bias and agenda.

I agree with your position. It's a bad business move to piss off a significant portion of your customer base. For example: When Obama got elected there were a couple of merchants in my town who were so blinded by hate, they started posting the Faux News anti-Obama talking point of the day on their reader boards. Some of it was really absurd and hateful. I will not frequent those morons' businesses. Bad business move.

There are some here who have managed to understand your position, and still disagree with it. Probably could just agree to disagree, and move on (to the OT board perhaps?).

 

[Natebishop3]

I get that that is your position. It's obvious that is your position. What I don't get is how that simple position gets all twisted around by some people's bias and agenda.

I agree with your position. It's a bad business move to piss off a significant portion of your customer base. For example: When Obama got elected there were a couple of merchants in my town who were so blinded by hate, they started posting the Faux News anti-Obama talking point of the day on their reader boards. Some of it was really absurd and hateful. I will not frequent those morons' businesses. Bad business move.

There are some here who have managed to understand your position, and still disagree with it. Probably could just agree to disagree, and move on (to the OT board perhaps?).

I don't even look at it from a business standpoint. I just don't think it's fair to the fans. This time maybe they're happy because the Blazers took their viewpoint on an issue, but it's dangerous for a team to start getting involved in politics, and that's exactly what they're doing. They specifically endorsed a ballot initiative. Not sure how that could be anything other than politics. What about the fans who don't agree with the stance that the Blazers took? Are they supposed to just turn their backs on the team? Are they supposed to just accept it and move on?

The Blazers have essentially thrown their hat into the politics ring, and by supporting one side of an issue, they are acting as a lobbyist. They are lobbying for a political issue. Whether I agree with the issue or not, I don't think this should happen.

Could this be moved to the OT section? Yes, but it specifically involves the Blazers. This is a debate over whether sports teams like the Blazers should get into politics, and I think it's important. Maybe the masses agree with this choice, but what about the next choice? It opens a door that I don't think should be opened.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

PORTLAND -- The Portland Trail Blazers, Timbers, and Thorns are the first major U.S. professional sports organizations to come out in support of same-sex marriage.
Supporters hope to get a measure to legalize gay marriage on the November ballot in 2014.
The Timbers and Thorns made the announcement through a statement from owner Merritt Paulson, saying the organizations are proud to support gay marriage.
Later, the Blazers also released a statement backing the effort, saying they are "believers in individual choice as a fundamental right of all people."
Friday night was the annual gala for Basic Rights Oregon.
Amy Ruiz, a spokeswoman for Oregon United for Marriage said sports fans really laid the groundwork for the effort.
"This is just incredible news. We were so excited to get the endorsement from the Portland Timbers and the Portland Thorns. You know their fans have been remarkable on the issue. We have been collecting signatures at a lot of games for the last ten weeks or so," she said.
Over the summer, three of the Portland Thorns joined an effort called athlete ally, which is an initiative to end homophobia in sports.


http://www.kgw.com/news/Blazers-Tim...-teams-to-support-gay-marriage-227517091.html

 

[Natebishop3]

PORTLAND -- The Portland Trail Blazers, Timbers, and Thorns are the first major U.S. professional sports organizations to come out in support of same-sex marriage.
Supporters hope to get a measure to legalize gay marriage on the November ballot in 2014.
The Timbers and Thorns made the announcement through a statement from owner Merritt Paulson, saying the organizations are proud to support gay marriage.
Later, the Blazers also released a statement backing the effort, saying they are "believers in individual choice as a fundamental right of all people."
Friday night was the annual gala for Basic Rights Oregon.
Amy Ruiz, a spokeswoman for Oregon United for Marriage said sports fans really laid the groundwork for the effort.
"This is just incredible news. We were so excited to get the endorsement from the Portland Timbers and the Portland Thorns. You know their fans have been remarkable on the issue. We have been collecting signatures at a lot of games for the last ten weeks or so," she said.
Over the summer, three of the Portland Thorns joined an effort called athlete ally, which is an initiative to end homophobia in sports.


http://www.kgw.com/news/Blazers-Tim...-teams-to-support-gay-marriage-227517091.html

I'm totally in support of our athletes joining that Athlete Ally group. I think it's horrible that gay athletes are discriminated against. If a player is talented, and he or she is good enough to play professionally, then they should not be afraid to come out publicly. It's good that Jason Collins came out, but at the same time, he's not really even an active player at this point in his career. If he would have come out before being drafted, that would have been much more significant.