Tony Dungy

March 22, 2007, 8:46 pm; posted by
Filed under Articles, Steve  | No Comments

As I was doing research for tomorrow’s article, I came across a headline about Tony Dungy supporting a ban on gay marriage. Apparently Dungy was accepting an award from a pro-family group and used the occasion to endorse the group’s position on a state constitutional amendment.

But then, after the perfunctory quotes from the shocked and offended, came this:

Dungy is not the first public figure to draw fire for anti-gay comments.

Former NBA star Tim Hardaway apologized twice after responding to a question about his reaction to a gay teammate by saying “I hate gay people.” Actor Isaiah Washington, of the hit television show “Grey’s Anatomy,” sought counseling after using a gay slur when he referred to another cast member. Author-columnist Ann Coulter was chastised for repeating the slur when referring to Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards during a speech to a conservative group.

So just to recap — Tony Dungy took a position on a constitutional amendment, a position held by a substantial majority of the American people and validated by the laws of 49 states. In so doing, he specifically said, “We’re not trying to downgrade anyone else, but we’re trying to promote the family.”

And the Associated Press felt it was appropriate to compare him to an insane woman addicted to controversy and publicity, a C-list actor who can’t get along with a co-worker, and a preternaturally foolish basketball player — all of whom either used homosexuality as a nasty insult or declared pure and irrational hatred for gay people.

But I guess that’s fair. I suppose opposition to same-sex marriage is automatically equivalent to prejudice, hatred and ignorance! Thanks, AP! You’ve really opened my eyes!


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