Torii Hunter Gay Comment: Outfielder Said He Would Be ‘Uncomfortable’ With Gay Teammate
Torii Hunter made a gay comment that is getting him in some trouble, saying that he would be uncomfortable to have an openly gay teammate in the clubhouse.
In making the comment, Hunter cited his Christian upbringing and said he believed that homosexuality isn’t right.
“For me, as a Christian … I will be uncomfortable because in all my teachings and all my learning, biblically, it’s not right,” Hunter told the New York Times. “It will be difficult and uncomfortable.”
The controversial gay comments are nothing new for Hunter, who in the past has been accused of making racially insensitive remarks. Three years ago he told USA Today that Latino players of African descent were “imposters” when it came to the dwindling number of black players in baseball.
The Torii Hunter gay comments, while allowable for him to express, make a hostile atmosphere for gay players who may want to come out, Sporting News writer Anthony Witrado notes.
Witrado writes:
“There is no doubt that Hunter isn’t alone in his beliefs, and it’s entirely possible he has already shared a clubhouse with a gay teammate or coach and never known it.”That a player feels the way Hunter does isn’t surprising, but it is surprising that Hunter would be the one to express those beliefs. It’s not that they’re wrong; they are his and he is entitled to them.
“That such a social and popular player would speak out doesn’t help a gay player feel he can come out to teammates and still be accepted. Given Hunter’s status in the game, a might have believed he could have looked to Hunter for support.”
While most columnists and commenters have noted that Torri Hunter is entitled to make the gay comment, he is still facing criticism for it. CBS Sports blogger Dayn Perry says that if straight players like Hunter are offended at the mere presence of an openly gay teammate, “hen that says more about their shortcomings than it does about the audacity of the gay teammate to, you know, be himself.”
