Mets Decry Bullying But...

[ashie62]

bmfc1 wrote: Thank you LWFS.

Yup, I'd also like to keep in mind those that are bullied for being fat, mentally ill, special needs people, and the meek. It gets better.

[G-Fafif]

"Kids -- we athletes don't say 'it gets better' or lend specific support to you if you're lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, but our always inspiring vice president of marketing alluded to it at a press conference, so next time you're being bullied, remember: Dave Howard had a lawyer suggest it's not OK."

[Ceetar]

the other point is that, how much does this message mean anyway? especially to gay teens. how do a bunch of closeted athletes know it gets better when they're too afraid to actually admit it themselves?

[Guest Edgy DC]

G-Fafif wrote: "Kids -- we athletes don't say 'it gets better' or lend specific support to you if you're lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, but our always inspiring vice president of marketing alluded to it at a press conference, so next time you're being bullied, remember: Dave Howard had a lawyer suggest it's not OK."

My greater-than-obvious point is not that a statement at a news conference means a statement in a more widely distributed video is un-necessary. Only that in reading the original post, I had understood him to be referring to the initial link, and there was such a reference.

The good news is that the Mets held a press conference to decry bullying: Dave Howard, Chris Capuano, and some politicians. http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=19125093&partnerId=aw-5961002824091428724-1037 The bad news is that there is no mention of bullying as it impacts the LGBT community. Many other teams have made a "It Gets Better" video which specifically mentions LGBT youth. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTYc0C1VpC0 Where is the Mets "It Gets Better" video?

It was a reasonable understanding if we can all get the chips off our shoulders for a minute.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Ceetar wrote: the other point is that, how much does this message mean anyway? especially to gay teens. how do a bunch of closeted athletes know it gets better when they're too afraid to actually admit it themselves?

Hypocrites, right? The whole world's full of phonies. Why say anything to anyone?

/Leaves school, heads to New York
//Calls up Sally Hayes, to see if she wants to run away

[Ceetar]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Ceetar wrote: the other point is that, how much does this message mean anyway? especially to gay teens. how do a bunch of closeted athletes know it gets better when they're too afraid to actually admit it themselves? Hypocrites, right? The whole world's full of phonies. Why say anything to anyone? /Leaves school, heads to New York //Calls up Sally Hayes, to see if she wants to run away

Not saying they shouldn't say anything. But yeah, the It Gets Better videos are a little hypocritical.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

I do agree that the first active team athlete making an "I'm gay" announcement-- and the wave that eventually follow him-- will have a much better impact than any PSA, but... hey, what do you want from them? If there are five straight guys who want to speak out against LGBT bullying, should they say nothing, simply because it makes less impact, or means less, than, say, SugarPants coming out?

[Ceetar]

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: I do agree that the first active team athlete making an "I'm gay" announcement-- and the wave that eventually follow him-- will have a much better impact than any PSA, but... hey, what do you want from them? If there are five straight guys who want to speak out against LGBT bullying, should they say nothing, simply because it makes less impact, or means less, than, say, SugarPants coming out?

I don't know what the answer is. I don't know if a PSA is actually better than nothing. I do appreciate the effort and commend them for it (and the Mets for their own version of things) but I'm just not sure it's anything more than shouting into the wind.

[bmfc1]

Maybe it's nothing but show. But I suspect, and truly hope, that a teenager who is being bullied because of his or her sexuality gets some solace when a professional athlete shows some compassion and says that you'll feel better someday.

[G-Fafif]

The important thing is the Mets are against bullying and any bullying-like behavior.

On a related note, the Mets bullied their rookies into cheereleading outfits today.

[MFS62]

G-Fafif wrote: On a related note, the Mets bullied their rookies into cheereleading outfits today.

They were NOT bullied.
IMO they were given some much -needed fashion advice.
And they look adoreable.

Later

[ashie62]

It would only be bullying if the rookies were LGBT.