Quote SmokeyTA="SmokeyTA"I think all this is irrelevant. I think the the question is do we want the image of RL to be one where Homophobic language goes unpunished. Do we allow peoples 'silly little prejudices' to exclude others, and do we want potential fans, players and sponsors to think that our game excludes homosexuals, allows homophobia to be expressed freely within it and go unpunished. Do you we want a 15/16/17 year old kid struggling with his sexuality to think this game isnt for him?
Lets not pretend we exist in some progressive nirvana and fat, bald, ginger are the same as homophobic slurs. We have plenty of fatties, plenty of baldies, and even some gingers playing pro RL We have 0 openly homosexual players in our pro game. Statistically we should have at least 30 or 40. Perhaps some gay people dont like being called faggots, dont like seeing others being called faggots and dont want to be involved in a game where a high profile young player (if true) can throw around homophobic slurs, or a game where people can't tell the difference between a word used to bully, attack, discriminate against homosexuals and generic terms of abuse.'"
And here's the thing about language, you have to be careful how you use it.
You're now throwing around the term "homophobic". The Oxford online dictionary describes homophobia as "An extreme and irrational aversion to homosexuality and homosexual people.".
[urlhttp://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/homophobia[/url
Even IF Zak used that term I don't see how he used it in a homophobic way. I doubt he put any thought whatsoever into the sexual preferences of whatever person he allegedly aimed the comment at.
I'll ask again, do you know Zak's sexual preference? Because if he is gay and if he said the term alleged then, by dictionary definition, he is allowed to do so. Bizarre don't you think?
Storm in a tea cup this by others allowing themselves to get outraged in behalf those that are not.
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