UConn -- Gay Hockey Players are Welcome

[Frank Ivy]

What do you think of the possibility that many gay people find your heterosexual desires disgusting?

That's the beauty of it man - I expect that many do find my sexual preferences disgusting - and I completely support their right to have that opinion, and I wouldn't for a second dream of trying to force them to believe that my idea of fun sex is good or better than theirs. In other words, I wouldn't try to change the culture to force them to accept me as I am.

Didn't expect that, did you?

 

[Frank Ivy]

What if I live in the South and am still disgusted by black people?

You're entitled to your racist opinions - as long as you don't try to foist them on me. Frankly, I don't view the world as full of races, but rather full of people - but if you want to hate whatever group, that's your right, and I support it, and I wouldn't want to try to brainwash your kids to believe what I believe, which is that all are entitled to equal treatment under the law, regardless of any physical characteristic (or sex orientation).

 

[Frank Ivy]

Imagine that. You sound like a ******* dinosaur. It's actually kind of pitiable. You sound like someone who woke up in the 1950s and was inadvertantly transported to 2012. And the fact that you're so strident in your opinions makes it sadder.

Actually, no. It's like I woke up in some future world, where people are free to live as they please, and hold whatever views they want, as long as they're not hurting anybody else, and people respect the right of others to differ in opinion, and I got transplanted back to this place, where people like you tell me that I'm a bad person for being physically repulsed by the image of two men getting it on. I'm bad, in essence, because our creator made me this way. It's not right or wrong - I'm attracted to women. That's the way it is. I'm also repulsed by fat women, much the same as gay men interaction.

I'm a bad person to you because I was born this way. And you would insult me because of how my brain was wired when I was born. What does that sound like? Sounds like you're doing exactly what gay people say you shouldn't do to them - judge them for their sexual preferences that are hard wired.

Shame on you.

 

[upstater]

Maybe my entire football and rugby team were gay, but I'm pretty sure guys looked at each other.

 

[FriarJ]

Brian Burke is a PC legend. Nice of UConn to do this. I could see him steering kids that Toronto has an eye on to UConn because of this, especially if they make it to Hockey East

 

[MattMang23]

Maybe my entire football and rugby team were gay, but I'm pretty sure guys looked at each other.

That's called checkin out the competition.

 

[babysheep]

That's the beauty of it man - I expect that many do find my sexual preferences disgusting - and I completely support their right to have that opinion, and I wouldn't for a second dream of trying to force them to believe that my idea of fun sex is good or better than theirs. In other words, I wouldn't try to change the culture to force them to accept me as I am.

Didn't expect that, did you?

You are so incredibly ignorant it's hilarious, and yes I expected you to try to make yourself look like you care.

You don't care because the overall culture of America isn't heterophobic and does not spawn hate against you. That is why gay people want to change American culture. Are you offended by the civil rights movement? Because Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wanted to change American culture as a whole so that people of all races could eventually love each other and coexist peacefully. Obviously the situation for gays is different than it was (and still is) for blacks but both want the same thing, and there's no reason for them to not want people to love them and get along with them.

 

[phillionaire]

That's the beauty of it man - I expect that many do find my sexual preferences disgusting - and I completely support their right to have that opinion, and I wouldn't for a second dream of trying to force them to believe that my idea of fun sex is good or better than theirs. In other words, I wouldn't try to change the culture to force them to accept me as I am.

Didn't expect that, did you?

Being a straight white male in America is literally like being a Jew in 1939 Germany

 

[caw]

Frank,

I somewhat agree, you should have the right to your beliefs. You shouldn't be criticized for not watching a movie.

I don't think you are expressing yourself well on the topic of "equivalent".

 

[caw]

Being a straight white male in America is literally like being a Jew in 1939 Germany

Just no.

 

[joober jones]

Why is this even news? Last I knew, gay people could play hockey anywhere.

 

[SeattleHoop]

You are so incredibly ignorant it's hilarious, and yes I expected you to try to make yourself look like you care.

You don't care because the overall culture of America isn't heterophobic and does not spawn hate against you. That is why gay people want to change American culture. Are you offended by the civil rights movement? Because Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wanted to change American culture as a whole so that people of all races could eventually love each other and coexist peacefully. Obviously the situation for gays is different than it was (and still is) for blacks but both want the same thing, and there's no reason for them to not want people to love them and get along with them.

Both of you make good points actually but go too far. I think it's fine that homosexuals want to change American culture and views towards homosexuality. It's making progress too. For example have you seen "Modern Family"? I don't watch it regularly but the gay couple in the show are my two favorite characters and I see them as "normal". That is just one small example. So trying to change culture is fine imo. Not too mention I have had gay friends that I find really cool and "normal". However, getting angry because someone doesn't agree with your views is absolutely wrong. This is where I agree with Frank. I think having sex with another man is gross. I just do. I can think it is gross if I want. Just like a homosexual thinks heterosexuality is gross, I think having sex with another dude is weird. In fact, the majority of the world will always see it that way, because most of the world is heterosexual. Homosexuals are the minority. There culture can be accepted as normal but the act of homosexuality will ALWAYS be seen as different by many people because most people are attracted to the opposite sex. Accept them, YES. Equal rights, YES. Let them teach their culture, YES. Agree with them, YOUR CHOICE.

 

[Sportsman5]

I think Frank's analogy about religion is fairly accurate. You can support people to live their lives how they want without completely agreeing with it. I'm not gay, but my brother is and some friends are. I completely support them in whatever they want to do, who they date, what they do in their bedroom. I try to be as accepting as I can, but I still prefer not to shower with a gay person. I also think that most of my female friends would prefer not to shower with me next to them. It seems like a reasonable viewpoint to me.
The bottom line for me is that you can do whatever you want in your life as long as it doesn't involve me in any way. If it involves me directly, than I have the right to be involved with a choice. For example, if a man says that he will play on the same soccer team with a women, but due to religious reasons he will not shower next to them, than it seems reasonable to accommodate that request. I don't see much of a difference between that and a hockey player saying that I will play on the same team as a gay man, but I won't shower next to them due to my beliefs (religious or other).
If someone thinks I am a bigot for this belief, than you must be a crazy hippie who thinks our current culture is totally screwed up I support your opinion, but still think you are a crazy hippie

 

[Frank Ivy]

You are so incredibly ignorant . . . there's no reason for them to not want people to love them and get along with them.

Nah. I'm not ignorant, if you mean that to be "uninformed, uneducated." If you mean "I don't like your views," then yes.
Whether they want people to love them is beside the point.
I don't love or hate homosexual men more or less than anybody else.
I don't care about them more or less than anybody else.

It's as simple as this - they don't have a right to try to force me or anybody else to "love them." In your view, apparently, that should be the goal. In my view, live and let live.

I find the sexual interaction between men to be off putting.
Is that what your issue is with me?
You view that as ignorant?

That's just you trying to force your culture on my biology. You're not different (although you think you are) from the religious nuts trying to tell gay people that they should change and not be gay.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Frank,

I somewhat agree, you should have the right to your beliefs. You shouldn't be criticized for not watching a movie.

I don't think you are expressing yourself well on the topic of "equivalent".

Exactly. It is the equivalent piece.

 

[8893]

I don't get the big deal. Our field hockey team has been welcoming lesbians for as long as I can remember.

 

[Rico444]

Frank,

quit being so gay.

 

[upstater]

Both of you make good points actually but go too far. I think it's fine that homosexuals want to change American culture and views towards homosexuality. It's making progress too. For example have you seen "Modern Family"? I don't watch it regularly but the gay couple in the show are my two favorite characters and I see them as "normal". That is just one small example. So trying to change culture is fine imo. Not too mention I have had gay friends that I find really cool and "normal". However, getting angry because someone doesn't agree with your views is absolutely wrong. This is where I agree with Frank. I think having sex with another man is gross. I just do. I can think it is gross if I want. Just like a homosexual thinks heterosexuality is gross, I think having sex with another dude is weird. In fact, the majority of the world will always see it that way, because most of the world is heterosexual. Homosexuals are the minority. There culture can be accepted as normal but the act of homosexuality will ALWAYS be seen as different by many people because most people are attracted to the opposite sex. Accept them, YES. Equal rights, YES. Let them teach their culture, YES. Agree with them, YOUR CHOICE.

I do think it says more about you than most. I mean, no one is asking you to imagine yourself getting it on, unless those are your desires. Most people are simply relaxed and fine with the type of normal affection (kissing, groping, hugging) we see in public all the time. That's it. And no, I don't think most gays are grossed out by straights kissing and hugging, and a great many straights I know feel the same way (about the reverse).

Then again, there are lots of straights who freak out at public affection between straights, and some gay and straights are probably distressed by breast-feeding, and nipples, and all sorts of sexuality. Personally, I think this isn't natural at all and it's all a sign of some hangup. (DUCKS)

 

[Kitaman]

At least Rudy's kids will one day get a full scholarship.

 

[phillionaire]

Just no.

it's called sarcasm broseph

 

[babysheep]

Culture is constantly changing, and it is reliant on societal change, not the other way around anymore. It used to be that way when Newton and other scientists challenged Biblical explanations for certain phenomena, but as cultures have become so widespread and simultaneously intertwined that has changed. People were (and, unfortunately, still are) disgusted by the idea of blacks loving and getting along with whites, and Martin Luther King fought the culture that perpetuated that idea and wanted it to change. That is the fundamental change he fought for, and I'm sure that that's what gays ultimately want. So what makes gayness so disgusting, and why should that perception of disgust be permitted and perpetuated? A cock being put in an ass? Please, grow up. Homosexuality is far more than dick being inserted into an ass.

Anyone who has any problem or disgust with another's implicit sexual orientation has some issues themselves with their own sexuality. They don't call it homoPHOBIA for nothing. They're afraid of homosexuality because they feel it within themselves but know that it is currently taboo to be homosexual, and the only way they understand how to deal with those emotions is to view and act towards homosexuals aggressively negatively. It's basically a giant fear mechanism.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

It's as simple as this - they don't have a right to try to force me or anybody else to "love them." In your view, apparently, that should be the goal. In my view, live and let live.

I don't know where you live where you feel that gay people are trying to force you to "love them." If your discomfort with homosexuality stems from your inability to stop picturing men having sex I think that's probably an issue you need to sort out. When I have dinner with a buddy and he brings his boyfriend I don't imagine them having sex. Maybe that makes me weird, I don't know.

 

[mauconnfan]

This whole thread has gone down the shi**er.............

 

[Mr Blueskin]

This headline is rediculous and pointless. I can't believe the coach and captains agreed to this crap. Like others said, this could do nothing good for recruiting hockey players and would most likely just cause prospective recruits to think twice about coming, no pun intended.

 

[mauconnfan]

This headline is rediculous and pointless. I can't believe the coach and captains agreed to this crap. Like others said, this could do nothing good for recruiting hockey players and would most likely just cause prospective recruits to think twice about coming, no pun intended.

Yeah but if a recruit now turns his back on the Huskies doesn't that mean he wants to come to Storrs??

 

[Frank Ivy]

So what makes gayness so disgusting, and why should that perception of disgust be permitted and perpetuated?

Ah. Now we get to it. I shouldn't be "permitted" to be turned off or find it repulsive. And that's my problem with the aggressive folks in the gay community. They don't want equal rights - they want to "not permit" me to be repulsed.

Try this.

It's my biology that 1. Makes women's privates a turn on. and 2. Makes gay sex a turn off.

Isn't that simple? I'm certainly not arguing that there is anything intrinsically beautiful about the orifice known as "the vagina." In fact, I do my best not to think of it all, rationally, because the whole thing is quite disturbing. But, nonetheless, I'm hardwired to like it. I'm also hardwired to dislike gay sex.

You wanting to "not permit" me to be turned off by gays interacting is attacking my hardwiring in the exact same way that religious groups who want to get gays to become straight are attacking their hardwiring.

You want something that you won't give in return. Most men do and will always find gay interaction disturbing because they're hard wired to believe that. It's equivalent to the "gays choose to be gay" fantasy to say otherwise.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

This thread is very strange.

I find myself partially agreeing with babysheep and FrankIvy.

I think essentially you guys are saying the same thing - but just going about it differently.

At the end of the day, who cares what someone's sexual preference is? It's not our business whatsoever and doesn't detract from the individual.

It's mind numbing to me that this country wastes so much money debating over an issue as ridiculous as this.

If two guys want to get married - who the cares? It's not anyone's right to tell someone how to live.

 

[champs99and04]

Frank I hear what you're saying and I agree with a few of your points, but I disagree with the notion that you are "hardwired" to be turned off by gays. Two men having sex isn't a picture I want in my mind either, but I don't blame the gay community in the least bit for pressing for equal treatment of gays within social circles. As a previous poster mentioned, many white males 40 years ago were probably "hardwired" not to socialize with African Americans. No, it's not the same, but just as was the case with African Americans, I think the more you are exposed to a specific group of people (blacks, asians, lesbians, whatever) the more you see them as normal.

It's human nature, IMO, to feel uncomfortable around people different than ourselves. But ultimately, you'll probably find that gays have a lot in common with anybody else, and the less you'll even think about their sexuality. Nobody can force you to condone a certain type of behaviour, however, I can certainly see where the gay community is coming from. And no, I do not think it's right to poke fun at homosexuals, even if you have every right to do so. If heterosexuality was the heavy minority in this country I'm sure you'd grow tired of people relentlessley demeaning and cracking jokes about your sexual preferences.

Look at it this way, in my opinon, humans are not pre-ordained to like/dislike a certain group of people, but rather taught to feel a certain way through the teachings of their parents, friends, siblings, etc. How many people in the world today do you think would feel true shame if their child came out of the closet? Unfortunately, quite a few. So while I understand you don't like to have things forced down your throat, and your entitled to your own views, I'm completely fine with the gay community pushing for the American population to treat gays as their social equivelants, as you would say. This generation will tolerate homosexuality a lot more than the past one, the next generation will tolerate it much more than this one, and so on. I think the world is too politically correct at times myself, but at the end of the day, people simply want to be treated with respect.

 

[babysheep]

Seriously did you take even Psych 101 when you were in college? The emotion of disgust is absolutely not part of one's "biology," just like there is no biological cause behind racism. Anger, sadness, fear, and happiness most likely are, but not disgust. It is a learned behavior, and all learned behavior can eventually be unlearned, which is what gay people want to happen to the collective American culture. They're not trying to force anyone to stop believing anything, they want people to wake up and realize that there is nothing about homosexuality to be afraid of.

 

[babysheep]

It's human nature, IMO, to feel uncomfortable around people different than ourselves.

Yes it absolutely is, but after that initial moment of uncomfortable/anxiousness, the variability between individuals is their ability/lack thereof to deal with that difference. Some people can look at a difference between themselves and someone else, evaluate that difference, and understand that that difference is just a difference and doesn't affect them in any way. Those people are the ones comfortable with homosexuality. The others either don't have the ability or presence of mind to make that evaluation, or, after making said evaluation, still find some way to feel threatened by it, begin to justify that fear, and begin to develop aversive behavior to it since they have no idea how else to deal with their fear. This behavior is the manifestation of that fear, and it's why it's called homoPHOBIA.