NFL says words 'gay and lesbian' are NAUGHTY!

[Bluebear]

I suppose I will post this here since it was determined to be too "light" of a subject and moved to the DU lounge.
===

To the NFL it's naughty to be "GAY" but OK to be "BIN LADEN." You can be a "NAZI" but not a "LESBIAN." This rather bizarre conclusion is reached when trying to order a personalized jersey from the NFL Shop, the online merchandise site run by the league. Anyone trying to buy a jersey with the single word "GAY" or "LESBIAN" on the back gets a rejection message that states: "This field should not contain a naughty word."

Someone running the NFL's website decided certain terms were "naughty," including a declaration of sexual orientation. But "BIN LADEN," "TERRORIST," or "AL QAEDA" are all accepted; just have your credit card handy (personalized jerseys start at $79.99).

This story first appeared in Rex Wockner's column on 365gay.com. It seems that an LSU professor, Leigh Clemons, wanted to buy a jersey with the name of one of her former students. The student happened to be Randall Gay, a defensive back for the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. Her attempts were initially rejected.

"The NFL Shop website said that they weren't allowed to print 'naughty words' on jerseys," Clemons says, according to Wockner. "I had to call the shop and go through three levels of bureaucracy to get the jersey." Clemons said site employees lifted the block on the word 'gay' just long enough for her to place her order then immediately reinstated it.

http://outsports.com/nfl/2005/0301nflshop.htm

[More Than A Feeling]

1. Hmm, I didn't know the NFL discriminated against its players like this

It's a wonder that they actually allow Mr. Gay to wear his own name on the back of his jersey. What will we tell our children? (/sarcasm)

[mermaid]

2. I Wonder If They Allow "Van Dyke??"

:P

Or, there are people with the last name "Dick." wonder if THEY could get jerseys? and there IS already, a pro football player, I forget who with...whose last name IS "Gay" as well.

:wtf:

[Siyahamba]

8. I guess Dick Butkus is out of luck too.

[Democrats_win]

3. What about Jock, Boxer or other unmentionables?

"If we all work together we can totally destroy the system."

[readmoreoften]

4. What about Straight, Transgendered, or Pansexual?

Are those still open for the back of my jersey?

[Mixxster]

6. Apparently, "straight' is O.K. ...

as well as "fag". Check out the link for more idiotic examples of what is and is not allowed.

[Nimrod]

5. "Fag" and "Dyke" are okay though

I just tried it. :) Also "Cocksucker".

[GodlessBiker]

7. Too funny!

[justin899]

9. They've compromised somewhat....

"After several days of ridicule and protest from Internet bloggers and gay-rights activists, the NFL's brass gave the league's official online shop the green light on Thursday to sell personalized jerseys with "gay" on the back, removing it from its list of 1,159 banned words and phrases."

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/11048695.htm

So now you can use the word 'gay,' but you still can't use the word 'lesbian.' :eyes:

[Misunderestimator]

10. It's that "Z" sound.... just makes it sound naughty I guess...

Lezzzzzzzbian.... :eyes: Unbelievable.

[Duncan Grant]

11. "The jersey that dare not speak its name!"

Not to be too flippant about your post Misunderestimator. I keep thanking the Goddess that she gave me such an appreciation for irony. I'd go stark-raving without it. :hi:

[Misunderestimator]

12. LOL...

An appreciation for irony is a necessary tool these days. :hi: