Frank Beckmann
First off, mazel tov to Frank Beckmann, the WJR radio personality, who has finally been brave enough to declare: “I am a heterosexual.”
Beckmann wrote a column Friday in the Detroit News on NBA player Jason Collins' revelation that he is gay, and declared his own sexuality, all to make a point:
There, I've said it. You're excused for shrugging at the revelations of my personal behavior. That's the same reaction we all ought to share when we learn of the preferences of others in a free society.
Unfortunately, while making a point, Beckmann missed the point -- completely.
He was trying to say we should all be nonplussed when someone reveals something about their lifestyle, be they gay or straight.
Agreed. That’s the way it should be in the 21st Century.
But in this case, Collins statement is a big deal in the sports world where being openly gay is not widely accepted. Hopefully, he will make it easier for others in pro sports to come forward, if they see fit.
Beckmann goes on to essentially ask: Why should Collins be praised by society for disclosing something about his lifestyle while others who publicly voice disapproval of that lifestyle are condemned by “the elite” for being politically incorrect?
“No such praise will be forthcoming for those who express beliefs considered unacceptable by the elitists who want to decide what we should believe,” he writes.
Beckmann seems to be saying everyone is entitled to beliefs, be it religion or lifestyle or prejudice.
But when the beliefs are bigoted, and voiced so very publicly, yes, we as a society should say something.
The unfortunate thing is that folks like Beckmann don’t get just how bigoted some of the remarks have been about Collins and people who are gay.
Some time down the road -- and perhaps sooner than later -- this country will collectively feel the shame of how it treated gays, very much the way we feel the shame about having had separate drinking fountains and bathrooms.
Beckmann also defends ESPN commentator Chris Broussard.
He writes:
ESPN commentator Chris Broussard is a case in point. In discussing Collins' revelation on ESPN, Broussard espoused his Bible-based, Christian view that homosexuality is a "sin," equivalent to sex outside of marriage between a man and a woman.
Broussard showed a consistency of belief when he explained he was not just talking about gay sex, but also included "adultery, fornication, premarital sex between heterosexuals," all of which he believes is "walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ."
Surely, Broussard is entitled to hold those views. But when he publicly condemns someone, even under the guise of Christianity, it’s still bigotry, not to mention homophobia.
Interestingly, in his defense of Broussard, Beckmann says it’s not just about condemning homosexuality. He says Broussard, the devout Christian that he is, also condemns “premarital sex between heterosexuals.”
Funny thing.
I never heard Broussard or others of his mindset rant and speak out critically about heterosexual ball players like A-Rod, for example, having an out-of-wedlock romance with Madonna or Justin Verlander hooking up with Kate Upton.
