Gay Hockey Fans Say NY\'s Madison Square Garden Is Toxic Environment

Gay Hockey Fans Say NY's Madison Square Garden Is Toxic Environment

NY Times   |  KATIE THOMAS   |   March 21, 2008 09:07 AM



During the final 10 minutes of many Rangers home games, the spotlights focus on Section 407 as Larry Goodman, a longtime season-ticket holder, pumps up the crowd with a goofy dance.

As Goodman's routine is broadcast on the giant monitors above the ice, a familiar chant picks up momentum. "Ho-mo Lar-ry!" the crowd shouts. "Ho-mo Lar-ry!"


 

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My grandfather played pro hockey. It was all about sportsman ship, integrity even enjoyment.

Today a killing field is what fan 's want and players delivered .

All for money? Hate, kick to the side or try to kill is not a good environment for anyone or any sport.

In my grandfathers senior life he was disappointed and sickened to what had happened to hockey in-order to sell hockey to television and its advertiser's.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:52 AM on 03/23/2008

In my view, gay people just need to lighten up a little. Hockey is a straight man's sport, and gay people have no place at the games. Consider: hockey is all about strong, sexy, muscular men holding big long sticks and getting all aggressive with each other, while other adoring men in the audience get all hot and bothered cheering them on. Yeeeeeaaaaaaaaahhhhhh, gooooooooooooooooo, work that stick! Work it! The cheering men in the audience choose a specific team of men for whom they become extremely loyaI, to the extent that they even go out and buy shirts with the names of their individual favorite hockey players brandished upon them. I mean honestly, don't gay men know that there are places where they don't belong?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:16 AM on 03/23/2008

Sounds like Pat Buchanan at his Republican Rally when he was running for Prez.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:51 PM on 03/22/2008

That's why they should stop going...as well as everyone else. There are community level sports that are crying for attention and support but don't get enough. In the mean time congress is spending their time and our money investigating other professional sporting allegations...don't worry, Hockey's time is coming...and for what? Who cares? Does the fact that some silk underwear wearing congress creep think that america's youth looks up to those hyperviolent steroid sodden nitwits mean we should act to keep it at some preposterously irrelevant level? And as for our news outlets..disgraceful. Turn 'em off and read a book, newspapers and magazines from as many different sources as possible and get connected with the world...that's where the real game is being played.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:13 PM on 03/22/2008

Ranger fan homophobes didn't seem to mind Mark Messier's game 6 victory guarantee against the Devils in the '94 Eastern Finals. Or when he scored the natural hat trick to win the game, the series, and eventually the Ranger's first Stanley Cup in 54 years.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:20 PM on 03/22/2008

Like I stated above in so many words.....we live in world where we have to "worry" who is going to get a hair across their ass next and over what and I am tired of it. If one expects a hockey game to be a gathering of the most open minded enlightened folks then they are being ridiculous.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:20 PM on 03/22/2008

Uh, you don't have to be enlightened, just not a "homo!"-screaming crazy bigot.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:26 AM on 03/23/2008

It's sad to see that a lot of people in the comments here have taken the attitude that whenever gay people get offended at something they should shut their mouths. Or they should just "accept it", because "it's hockey fans". Maybe those fans just need to accept that it's not okay to be offensive to gay people and that, believe or not, gay people like hockey, and are sitting right next to them at games. It's about basic human respect, and it's obvious that these commenters rarely feel disrespected.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:24 AM on 03/22/2008

If only white trash frat-brats would not attend, we fans would enjoy the games more.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:55 PM on 03/21/2008

Right. More Starbucks yuppies. Cool.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:02 AM on 03/22/2008

When I lived in "Ess Eff" I was always surprised and happy at the number of gay people at Giants games. Probably couldn't happen in any other city.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:12 PM on 03/21/2008

Maybe barack has another speech handy

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:43 PM on 03/21/2008

Here's the solution, just tell fans they are not allowed to stand, shout or make any verbal expressions whatsoever. The only expression of team support allowed will be like most golf events (save the 16th hole at the FBR Open) just a very polite "golf clap".

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:40 PM on 03/21/2008

Great idea but i think the "golf clap" may startle people. It should be eliminated.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:34 PM on 03/21/2008

Ummm, America in general is a toxic environment for us gay folks, if you hadn't noticed.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:05 PM on 03/21/2008

BS and you know it

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:22 PM on 03/21/2008

Wow, I've noticed a pattern with you. Every time a gay person writes his/her opinion, you're right there to attack. I'm not calling you a nasty bigot. Just sayin'...

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:02 AM on 03/23/2008

Toxic environment?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:02 PM on 03/21/2008

Sounds like some of these hockey fans never really left the 5th grade.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:26 PM on 03/21/2008

MajorKong, you are probably right...bullies too:(

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:07 PM on 03/21/2008

Stick to your elitist tennis and leave us hockey fans to the greatest game.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:58 PM on 03/21/2008

I can't say I've ever watched tennis, and I missed the part where gay-bashing is part of hockey. You might try growing up sometime.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:28 AM on 03/22/2008

Hard to believe that a bunch of hockey fans would make fun of homosexuals....lol....

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:29 AM on 03/21/2008

Always looking for that opportunity to "be offended" are we?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:54 AM on 03/21/2008

I can't imagine why bigots screaming "homo" would offend anyone... maybe a Fred Phelps protest is in order?

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:11 AM on 03/22/2008

It is a hockey game for crying out loud. These various people with militant attitudes or extremely thin skin need to get over themselves. Everything is not all about them. And yes I am a Hockey fan and Yes I am a Ranger fan. So What!! Move on with your life and stop crying about every little thing. It is becoming very boring and tedious

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 09:39 AM on 03/21/2008

Spare me. Just admit you're a homophobe and leave it at that.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 11:31 AM on 03/21/2008

Wrong. The world must be cleansed so that no one will be offended. Blandness Now!

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:01 AM on 03/21/2008

Bigots shouting "homo" isn't acceptable, idiot.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:09 AM on 03/22/2008

Normally I would say you are correct, but that will likely offend someone, so let me say that I don't disagree with you with the disclaimer that by my not disagreeing, that is not an endorsement of your position and my views may or may not agree with BigBagel's views.

favoriteFavorite Flag as abusive Posted 04:59 PM on 03/21/2008
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