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 NY Rangers Accused Of Not Doing Enough To
Silence Homophobic Fans
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: March 24, 2008 - 5:00 pm ET
(New York City) Gay New York hockey fans are
pressing the Rangers for a meeting over what is described as repeated homophobic
outbursts by fans attending games at Madison Square Garden.
The anger at the slurs came to a head last week
when the New York Times published an article on homophobia during Rangers games.
One of the gay fans calling for action has wide
experience dealing with gay slurs. Kevin Jennings, a regular at Rangers'
games, is the founder of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.
Another is Jeff Kagan the head of the New York City Gay Hockey Association. The
NYCGHA has more than 150 members who play at a city rink.
Jennings and Kagan have been trying to get the
Rangers to put a stop to homophobia in the stands at the Garden since last year.
They were joined in January by New York City council Speaker Christine Quinn.
Fans frequently yell gay slurs at players.
Another target is a fellow fan, Larry Goodman. He dubs himself "Dancin'
Larry" and boogies up a storm during games.
In January, Quinn, an out lesbian, sent a letter
to Rangers management denouncing the homophobia. Shortly after that the Garden posted a warning on its scoreboard
before games that offensive language and behavior would result in ejection.
But despite the warning little has been done
according to Jennings and Kagan.
Rangers spokesperson said the team opposes
homophobia but dealing with slurs is up to Garden management not the Rangers.
Garden spokesperson Barry Watkins told Newsday
that
"Homophobic or racially or culturally insensitive behavior is unacceptable
at any event at Madison Square Garden, and we have taken aggressive steps to
deal with the offensive behavior of a very small minority of game attendees."
"One announcement on the jumbotron running
at the speed of light and using generic language isn't 'aggressive steps,'"
Jennings told 365Gay.com. "It's completely ineffective and useless."
Quinn said she hopes to arrange a meeting with
Rangers management and players. So far the team has not responded.
One of the big concerns is the effect hearing
unchecked homophobic verbal attacks has on young people.
A 2005 study commissioned by GLSEN found that three-quarters
of students surveyed across America said that over the past year they heard
derogatory remarks such as "faggot" or "dyke" frequently or
often at school, and nearly nine out of ten reported hearing "that's
so gay" or "you're so gay" - meaning stupid or worthless -
frequently or often.
Over a third of students said they experienced
physical harassment at school on the basis of sexual orientation and more than a
quarter on the basis of their gender expression.
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