Dozens of sports athletes have made unfavorable headlines for offensive, anti-gay name-calling, including Kobe Bryant, Joakim Noah, and Roger McDowell in recent months. Now, the San Diego Padres have stepped up to the plate by pledging support for LGBT youth in their signing of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network’s (GLSEN) Team Respect Challenge.
The San Diego Padres are the first professional sports team to sign the Team Respect pledge. Through their promise to LGBT youth, the Padres will aim to lead by example and treat all team members with respect – regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
“As baseball comes back from the break, the San Diego Padres have made it clear who the real all-stars are by signing on to GLSEN’s Team Respect Challenge,” explained Eliza Byard, Executive Director of GLSEN. “From the pros to the playgrounds, far too many athletes seem to think that disrespectful language and behavior are just part of the game. The Padres have sent a clear message to youth everywhere: Name-calling and harassment of any kind is not acceptable and teams perform best when every teammate is safe and respected.”
Locals in San Diego are celebrating the San Diego Padres for their initiative to better the game of professional sports.
“We applaud the Padres for signing this pledge, and we hope that the students involved in athletic teams throughout the District follow their great example,” said San Diego Unified School District Superintendent, Bill Kowba.
The Team Respect Challenge mirrors San Diego’s recently adopted “Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation Prohibition Policy” which aims to eliminate any bullying associated with a student’s sexual orientation, race, religion, and other protected rights.
As a part of their pledge, the San Diego Padres will aspire to “take leadership to set an example” for ill-willed behavior on the field, stands, or even away from home plate. This includes any name calling, “put down” language, and name-calling arising out of gender identity and expression.
“The Padres have proven themselves to be valuable role models for San Diego students.” said Kowba.
Cheers for the padres. Much of the name calling re gay slurs is simply an example of how the “false christians” have poisoned our society and the players just go along for the ride without knowing about it.
But the padres are doing the right thing. the situation reminds me of the days when only one black ballplayer was in the majors – Jackie Robinson,and I vaugley remember lots of slurs about him.
Oh how far we have come re our black citizens
And how far we still have to go re our gay friends and neighbors.
BTW – what is the “ex catholic family” comment – When you look at the ranting and raving of Arch bishop Dolan of NYC re the gay marriage bill, you see a bigot in robes.
His former diocese in Milwaukee declared bankruptcy in Jan 011, due to the endless hidden molestation of children.
While he helped to move known vile priests to new locations, where unknown they continued their crimes while keeping the collection plate full.
Almost all of our 43 memeber extended once catholic family has left the church. YOu should also.