Fans Tackle Johnson for Antigay Slurs

By Julie Bolcer

LARRY JOHNSON 02 X390 (GETTY) | ADVOCATE.COM

More than 10,000 fans of the National Football League have signed an online petition urging the Kansas City Chiefs to deactivate Larry Johnson for his use of antigay slurs on Twitter and in the locker room last week. The star running back is on the verge of breaking a team record.

Fans want to stop Johnson, who is due to return from a suspension on Monday, before he can surpass a team rushing record set by Priest Holmes, according to Fox News.

"We are asking you, as fans of this team, this organization, and of the pride that this city has in the Chiefs, please deactivate Larry Johnson," reads the petition, according to Fox News. "Please do not let his name sit atop the all-time rushing leaders in Kansas City Chiefs history. He needs a mere 80 yards to surpass Priest. He doesn't deserve that opportunity."

Johnson was suspended and fined $315,000 last month after he used antigay slurs against a Twitter user and journalists in the team locker room. He apologized for the incidents.

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. Page 1 of 1

POST COMMENT(5) MORE News EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

‹‹Previous Article in Category | Next Article in Category››

Reader Comments

Back to top Post a Comment
Name: Jonathan
Date posted: 11/6/2009 6:50:13 PM
Hometown: Duluth, Minnesota

Comment:
Back before I got out in the world and realized how people really are, I used to think that racial minorities were a little more understanding of gay people and that white (usually women) involved in interracial relationships were the same way. What I have discovered is the opposite because (not always but often) the churches that these people belong to are churches that cater to the lowest intelligence level, people who are all-or-nothing with their thinking, people who are hyper masculine and the white women who are with them even if she's getting the shit beaten out of her day in and out; the majority of the people in these congregations don't even know their father, and marriage is a running joke - how can they be so against gay marriage when hardly anyone in their congregation even gets married? The men have sex with whoever the hell he wants as long as she's got blonde hair and open legs - yet being gay is worse than anything because that means you aren't a man.
Back to top Post a Comment
Name: Franz
Date posted: 11/6/2009 3:14:49 PM
Hometown: Seattle

Comment:
Most professional sports are homophobic. If these leagues don't address that then I find them rather self-righteous for firing a meathead. And also if a black person makes a racial slur about a white person then they would be fired as well. Why does everyone think that "nigger" is the only thing that you can say to offend someone's race. This implication that everyone who is making racial slurs about anyone else but Black people is getting let of the hook is absurd. Yes non-white people are racist too. I could care less whether he keeps his job or not, you can't go and fire everyone b/c they say "fag" He should be fined heavily. He'll think twice about gay slurs when he has to pay child support for his 60 children by 60 different women and his 900 billion dollar car with platinum interior plus 6 $200,000 fines. I've seen bigger fines in the NFL for dancing in the end zone for 3 MORE seconds. But how do these slurs even come up? I guess I can't expect context.
Back to top Post a Comment
Name: Mark
Date posted: 11/6/2009 3:06:09 PM
Hometown: Tesuque

Comment:
Antonio, unfortunately, since he targeted gays, that's an acceptable slur to most Americans. It is in fact a sad commentary on our country and our fellow countrymen. Congratulations and my vote of support for those who are petitioning to stop this bigot but I seriously doubt it will have any impact. The United States values sports stars much more than it does ordinary citizens. Sad, but true.
Back to top Post a Comment
Name: Antonio
Date posted: 11/6/2009 11:17:15 AM
Hometown: Los Angeles

Comment:
If a white football player made comments referring to "niggers" the newsmedia would come down on his head like thunder and he'd be immediately drummed out of the NFL. So why is this case any different?
Back to top Post a Comment
Name: Roy
Date posted: 11/6/2009 10:15:28 AM
Hometown: Madison

Comment:
Destroy this swine!!!

PREVIOUS 1 NEXT

More Online Only

Film Teen Spirit

While Native American cultures have long honored people of integrated genders, a new documentary looks at a shocking hate crime against a two-gendered Colorado teenager.

Politicians L.A. Confidential

What's it like to be 33, gay, and one of the most powerful people in America's second-largest city? Stressful, says Matt Szabo, the new deputy chief of staff to Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Commentary Love Bites for Twilight's Gay Fans

Gay fanpires are sure to flock to New Moon, but with questions lingering about author Stephanie Meyer and the cash she gives to the Mormon Church, Mike Albo wonders if we'd be better off tying a clove of garlic around our necks.

Youth Church Opens Doors for Homeless Gay Teens

A church-turned-shelter for homeless youth in Queens, New York is a far cry from sleeping on the streets after a $200,000 renovation and a partnership with the Ali Forney Center for LGBT youth.

Music France's Latest Export

He's opened for Britney and Katy Perry, kept Dita Von Teese company in the front row at Paris Fashion Week, and gets name-checked on Twitter by Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Sarah Silverman. So who the hell is Sliimy, anyway?

Prevention New Breast Health Rules Leave Out Lesbians

Now that new government guidelines are out on how to best care for your breasts, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender women are left with a lot of questions.

Marriage Equality Triumph in the Tar Heel State

The loss of marriage equality in Maine was a major blow on Election Night, but down the coast in North Carolina there was an LGBT victory. Pam Spaulding talks to Chapel Hill's mayor-elect, Mark Kleinschmidt.

Theater Puppet Masters

When performance-art drag diva Joey Arias combines forces with master puppeteer Basil Twist, anything — no, seriously, anything — can happen.

News Softball With Oprah and Palin

Dave White recaps as Oprah plays nice with Palin in her exclusive, personality-rehabbing interview. Topics include Katie Couric ("badgering"), Levi Johnston ("Ricky Hollywood"), and step class ("gee, it's fun").

News View From Washington: Frank Tells

This week Congressman Barney Frank laid out a plan and a timetable for repealing "don't ask, don't tell..." and a reminder that he's been saying it would happen in 2010 from the beginning.

News Features Where's Mitrice?

Mitrice Richardson is a 4.0 student, a former beauty pageant contestant, and a lesbian. She’s also been missing since September, and her family and girlfriend want answers.

Theater Seat Filler

The Advocate’s queen on the New York theater scene meets bisexual conjoined twins, pits Sienna Miller against Jude Law, tastes Cheyenne Jackson’s Rainbow, and saves up for a rainy day with Hugh Jackman.

Art Fairey Good

Controversial artist Shepard Fairey spends his creative capital to bring marriage equality back to California.

Books Hot Sheet: Brüno, Ms. Jackson, and 2012

We'll let you decide whether 2012 is spectacular, Armageddon-tinged eye candy or a hot mess. Plus: A new take on gay romance with Dare.

Television Driving Miss Wanda

Love her or loathe her, drag queen Porsche sidekicks The Wanda Sykes Show into shape.

Film Crazy Like a Fox

Hipster actor Jason Schwartzman gets schooled on his gay fans and the Hollywood closet and reveals why he’s never played a gay role.

Television Viki Victorious?

Soap icon and six-time Emmy Award winner Erika Slezak talks about the trials and tribulation of playing Victoria Lord and her run for mayor, gay rights, and the sudden death that rocks Llanview.

Commentary Called to Serve

The military continues to operate under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which even the Pentagon says is unsubstantiated. As General McChrystal asks for more troops in Afghanistan, one gay Navy vet offers his service to his country in spite of the policy that would deny him.

News Features Marriage Foe Tied to Pro-Gay Companies
Ford Motor Co. and Reynolds American, two companies that receive consistently high marks from the HRC, have ties with Schubert Flint Public Affairs, the firm that was instrumental in defeating marriage equality in California and Maine.

News Features A Few Good Men

In honor of Veteran's Day, two of the most famous gay vets -- Frank Kameny and Dan Choi -- share their letters from Uncle Sam.