Vikings, Chris Kluwe come together to create LGBTQ event at team headquarters

@"Mike Olson" said:

@"AGRforever" said: LGBTQ

llesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and......questioning i guess...had to look that up. 

Im not meaning for this to sound insensitive 

Are there really any but a few gay guys in pro sports?  Id assume you need the physical build and muscle building ability that is only afforded to men and those with a decent amount of testosterone to start with. 

I doubt we’ll ever see a woman or even a man who changed to a woman ever in the big 4 pro sports. 

Really? Wow.

This is the most ignorant statement I've read here in a LONG time. 

@"pumpf" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Hard to believe in this day and age when we all have openly gay brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nephews, friends, kids, teammates and coworkers....but just peruse the 430 responses to the above article and you're easily reminded why an event like this is still needed. 

If that's true (that it is "needed") then there "need" to be alot of other "events", too- because there are lots of other people struggling with other kinds of issues that could use empathy and support, too. At least that particular community (I don't know all the letters by heart) has the support of the MSM (movies, TV, etc).  There are other kids... struggling with other things... that have no support whatsoever.

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"pumpf" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Hard to believe in this day and age when we all have openly gay brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nephews, friends, kids, teammates and coworkers....but just peruse the 430 responses to the above article and you're easily reminded why an event like this is still needed. 

If that's true (that it is "needed") then there "need" to be alot of other "events", too- because there are lots of other people struggling with other kinds of issues that could use empathy and support, too. At least that particular community (I don't know all the letters by heart) has the support of the MSM (movies, TV, etc).  There are other kids... struggling with other things... that have no support whatsoever.

Certainly there is no shortage of issues humans struggle with. This is just one. I'd agree that entertainment media has done a pretty good job in the last 20 years or so drawing more and more characters people with these issues can identify with, and fewer and fewer stereotypical characters. Walking Dead has, what, 4 gay characters? And I think that helps not just them, but all of us see the world as it really is. Zombies notwithstanding. :-)

I think what results is a more accepting and less judgmental society. Because reality is not Leave it to Beaver and Father Knows Best. It never was. It's broken families, single parent households, people who struggle with bigotry, bullying, gender, drugs, alcohol, violence, abuse, disease, depression, mental illness, obesity...like I said, no shortage. 

@"greediron" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"pumpf" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Hard to believe in this day and age when we all have openly gay brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nephews, friends, kids, teammates and coworkers....but just peruse the 430 responses to the above article and you're easily reminded why an event like this is still needed. 

If that's true (that it is "needed") then there "need" to be alot of other "events", too- because there are lots of other people struggling with other kinds of issues that could use empathy and support, too. At least that particular community (I don't know all the letters by heart) has the support of the MSM (movies, TV, etc).  There are other kids... struggling with other things... that have no support whatsoever.

Certainly there is no shortage of issues humans struggle with. This is just one. I'd agree that entertainment media has done a pretty good job in the last 20 years or so drawing more and more characters people with these issues can identify with, and fewer and fewer stereotypical characters. Walking Dead has, what, 4 gay characters? And I think that helps not just them, but all of us see the world as it really is. Zombies notwithstanding. :-)

I think what results is a more accepting and less judgmental society. Because reality is not Leave it to Beaver and Father Knows Best. It never was. It's broken families, single parent households, people who struggle with bigotry, bullying, gender, drugs, alcohol, violence, abuse, disease, depression, mental illness, obesity...like I said, no shortage. 

Would agree that Leave it to Beaver focused on one unrealistic ideal.  But the more things change, the more they stay the same.  So much focus on one issue while the rest get ignored. 

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"greediron" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"pumpf" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Hard to believe in this day and age when we all have openly gay brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nephews, friends, kids, teammates and coworkers....but just peruse the 430 responses to the above article and you're easily reminded why an event like this is still needed. 

If that's true (that it is "needed") then there "need" to be alot of other "events", too- because there are lots of other people struggling with other kinds of issues that could use empathy and support, too. At least that particular community (I don't know all the letters by heart) has the support of the MSM (movies, TV, etc).  There are other kids... struggling with other things... that have no support whatsoever.

Certainly there is no shortage of issues humans struggle with. This is just one. I'd agree that entertainment media has done a pretty good job in the last 20 years or so drawing more and more characters people with these issues can identify with, and fewer and fewer stereotypical characters. Walking Dead has, what, 4 gay characters? And I think that helps not just them, but all of us see the world as it really is. Zombies notwithstanding. :-)

I think what results is a more accepting and less judgmental society. Because reality is not Leave it to Beaver and Father Knows Best. It never was. It's broken families, single parent households, people who struggle with bigotry, bullying, gender, drugs, alcohol, violence, abuse, disease, depression, mental illness, obesity...like I said, no shortage. 

Would agree that Leave it to Beaver focused on one unrealistic ideal.  But the more things change, the more they stay the same.  So much focus on one issue while the rest get ignored. 

I'm curious why you think that. It sounds like that was the same point Pumpf was trying to make and I'm not quite sure I understand it. Is there not enough support or media attention paid to alcoholism, drugs, abuse, depression, drugs, etc? Is there something I'm not thinking of? 

I don't know that one issue is more important than another. I tend to think we focus on issues that are personal to us. I have a gay brother, so issues important to him are important to me. And though I would never want to characterize homesexuality as some sort of affliction, I also had a sibling die of cancer, I had another sibling with Tourettes Syndrome. So these are the issues I've been active in.  My parents are Republicans, so I try to help there when I can as well.  B)

@"Mike Olson" said:

@"AGRforever" said: LGBTQ

llesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and......questioning i guess...had to look that up. 

Im not meaning for this to sound insensitive 

Are there really any but a few gay guys in pro sports?  Id assume you need the physical build and muscle building ability that is only afforded to men and those with a decent amount of testosterone to start with. 

I doubt we’ll ever see a woman or even a man who changed to a woman ever in the big 4 pro sports. 

Really? Wow.

This is the most ignorant statement I've read here in a LONG time. 

@"greediron" said:

Pretty easy to see the topic of choice for today's world.  I would daresay it is trendy.  Have to careful how we even approach the subject lest we be branded as ignorant for simply sharing an opinion. 

@"AGRforever" said:

@"Mike Olson" said:

@"AGRforever" said: LGBTQ

llesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and......questioning i guess...had to look that up. 

Im not meaning for this to sound insensitive 

Are there really any but a few gay guys in pro sports?  Id assume you need the physical build and muscle building ability that is only afforded to men and those with a decent amount of testosterone to start with. 

I doubt we’ll ever see a woman or even a man who changed to a woman ever in the big 4 pro sports. 

Really? Wow.

This is the most ignorant statement I've read here in a LONG time. 

what is ignorant?  are there any women football players?  any trans players? is my assumption wrong that you need testosterone to become a dominate athlete in a male sport?  there are certainly some gay players and that wonderful for them. im glad they get to play football for a living. 

this viking activity is nothing more then a plubicity stunt aimed at getting them some points from an opressed minority. if they wanted to help the players and better their lives they could hold some parenting or money managment classes rather then pandering to a super small minortiy. 

sorry my view of the world doesnt fit into yours.  

@"AGRforever" said: LGBTQ

llesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and......questioning i guess...had to look that up. 

Im not meaning for this to sound insensitive 

Are there really any but a few gay guys in pro sports?  Id assume you need the physical build and muscle building ability that is only afforded to men and those with a decent amount of testosterone to start with. 

I doubt we’ll ever see a woman or even a man who changed to a woman ever in the big 4 pro sports. 

So does their number make them insignificant? They are human, don't they matter? And whether or not they are in professional sports shouldn't make a difference. The number of people that watch sports is immense. What about them? Don't some of them know gays and lesbians? That's significant too. And what about the women? They matter as well. Athletes as well as parents? That sense of belonging is huge and the suicide rate is high. Sensitivity is important to understanding. If this event saves a life, isn't that significant? Regardless of whether or not you agree with them, don't they deserve love and compassion? I have a cousin who is a lesbian. She is such a kindhearted woman who has helped so many. She has always been one of my best friends. She tried to kill herself. Sports helped save her life. I am grateful that she found love and acceptance and that she is still here. She deserves a shot at a good life too. I didn't even touch on the transgender issue but they deserve kindness and love too. Don't we all? 

@"Zanary" said:

@"Purple Haze" said:

@"Vikergirl" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"StickyBun" said: Interesting that Kluwe held the team's feet to the fire by making this event a condition of the settlement. 

Kinda takes the shine off of it. 

It depends on how you look at it. Sometimes in order to make change, there has to be a driving force behind it. Kevin Warren is saying that it isn't going to be a one time thing. So regardless of how it started, it can still have an impact. Sometimes people need a nudge to do the right thing. Ideally it would be great if they automatically did the right thing initially but now it's time to grow and move forward. 

If this event were being held with both sides, the Vikings and Kluwe as partners in supporting this it would be a legit attempt to make change. But it wasnt and isnt.  This is Kluwes way of getting back at the Vikings for releasing him because he got his feelings hurt.  His release had nothing to do with his activism.  When he was drafted and in his first few years Kluwe was a top ten punter, in his last few years with the Vikings he was a mid 20's punter.  THAT is why he was released.  He was even brought into camp with I believe the Raiders after his release and they too cut him. When you have to force your position on everybody like Kluwe is doing it can hurt your cause as much as help.  Alot of the people that the LGBTQ community will be getting support from this event are the people who already supported their cause.  Because of the way this event came about they may be chasing the non supporters (which they are trying to influence) farther away.

Because his feelings got hurt?  Preiffer spouted truly stupid s**t, repeatedly, and got called out for it...and his babble embarrassed the team.

I'm no huge Kluwe fan, but when a coach is a potential PR disaster...that's not all on our ex-punter.

@"Purple Haze" said:

@"Zanary" said:

@"Purple Haze" said:

@"Vikergirl" said:

@"MaroonBells" said:

@"StickyBun" said: Interesting that Kluwe held the team's feet to the fire by making this event a condition of the settlement. 

Kinda takes the shine off of it. 

It depends on how you look at it. Sometimes in order to make change, there has to be a driving force behind it. Kevin Warren is saying that it isn't going to be a one time thing. So regardless of how it started, it can still have an impact. Sometimes people need a nudge to do the right thing. Ideally it would be great if they automatically did the right thing initially but now it's time to grow and move forward. 

If this event were being held with both sides, the Vikings and Kluwe as partners in supporting this it would be a legit attempt to make change. But it wasnt and isnt.  This is Kluwes way of getting back at the Vikings for releasing him because he got his feelings hurt.  His release had nothing to do with his activism.  When he was drafted and in his first few years Kluwe was a top ten punter, in his last few years with the Vikings he was a mid 20's punter.  THAT is why he was released.  He was even brought into camp with I believe the Raiders after his release and they too cut him. When you have to force your position on everybody like Kluwe is doing it can hurt your cause as much as help.  Alot of the people that the LGBTQ community will be getting support from this event are the people who already supported their cause.  Because of the way this event came about they may be chasing the non supporters (which they are trying to influence) farther away.

Because his feelings got hurt?  Preiffer spouted truly stupid s**t, repeatedly, and got called out for it...and his babble embarrassed the team.

I'm no huge Kluwe fan, but when a coach is a potential PR disaster...that's not all on our ex-punter.

I never said Preiffer didnt say some stupid stuff and got called out for it.  My point is Kluwes activism had nothing to do with his release.  His performance on the field was the whole reason.  He couldnt accept that and he brought what Preiffer said into the issue and although Preiffers ignorance is as much to blame Kluwe using his comments is what caused the whole PR mess.  Im sure Preiffer didnt just start spewing crap a week before the release.  My guess is the whole team knew about Kluwes stance on the LGBTQ community long before that.  Funny how Kluwe didnt mention anything in any previous seasons when he was performing well.

I do believe that Kluwe got a little full of himself in his handling of the situation eventually. But I do believe that he cares about the issue incredibly. I think he is a guy that actually cares about people in general. And that's something to remember. I think he is someone that generally cares about all people's well being at the heart of it.