Hardaway now works to save young gay lives

BY STEVE ROTHAUS, srothaus@MiamiHerald.com

Former Miami Heat guard Tim Hardaway, who in 2007 wrecked his post-basketball career by declaring on radio "I hate gay people," will co-sponsor a South Beach fundraiser Sunday for The Trevor Project -- a national suicide prevention group for gay youth.

"Gays and lesbians, we don't have to accept the act, but we have to accept them as people. Especially children, we don't want them to kill themselves. We want them to live their lives as they want to," said Hardaway, who took several training sessions at YES Institute, a local anti-suicide group for gay youth.

After the anti-gay rant, Hardaway lost his advertising endorsements and income.

"The endorsements will never come back. People have taken that and it's gone. I understand that. I'm trying to look for work and provide for my family," he said. "All that stuff has left me high and dry. I have to dig for work."

Hardaway has repeatedly apologized for what he said, but still wants to know who's gay in the locker room:

"We have a right to know. We'd say, `How do you want to do this? Do you want to go into the shower first, or do you want me to go into the shower first?' ''

Back then, he wouldn't have showered with a gay teammate, but today he might.

"I've probably already done it and not even known it."

The fundraiser takes place 7-10 p.m. Sunday at Halo, 1625 Michigan Ave., Miami Beach.

Comments

[steve]

still a loser! who needs him to talk to glbt youth, scraping the absolute bottom of the barrel. pathetic

[Jim]

Hardaway is a cop-out for not staying true to his biblical beliefs and giving in to the fringe element who are intolerant of those who believe different than them. Sad.

[David L. Wylie]

Jim,

I guess trying to save kids on the verge of suicide doesn't fit into your brand of Christianity. Even Sadder.

And Steve,

Mr. Hardaway has been working quietly behind the scenes meeting with troubled gay youth and their parents at the Yes Institute since his unfortunate comments. The online magazine I serve as Senior Editor, GaySoFla.com, came out strong against Mr. Hardaway when he first ranted against gays. But since that time we've seen that he's tried to make amends, quietly, behind the scenes with no PR. This is the first PUBLIC gay event he's attended, not the first gay event he's attended. Initially, his foundation never asked that he attend the event, they just wanted to know what they could do to support the Lifeline Reception. We encouraged Mr. Hardaway to attend and graciously accepted.

I believe in redemption and forgiveness. Your attitude reminds me of all the right wing fundamentalist who try to wrap Ted Kennedy's life up with that one one unfortunatel incident involving the death of a young lady...forgetting all the good he's done since. I'm willing to give Hardaway a 2nd chance. God knows I've been given many second chances. God forgives, so I think it's the least we can do.

David L. Wylie
Lifeline Reception Host Committee Co-Chair

[j]

Hardaway is still making homophobic remarks as referenced in the above article: Hardaway has repeatedly apologized for what he said, but still wants to know who's gay in the locker room:

"We have a right to know. We'd say, `How do you want to do this? Do you want to go into the shower first, or do you want me to go into the shower first?' ''

I am sorry but this is NOT the type of person I want talking to today's youth, especially those that are struggling with being gay.
I'm all for giving people a second chance, but they have to show that they deserve that chance. Just because you throw a bit of money to some charity or make a special appearance doesn't mean your attitude has changed and it is obvious his hasn't.

[Doug]

I am disappointed to read that Mr. Hardaway will be spokesperson for Sunday evening's event at Halo. I fully support the Trevor Foundation and the critical work it does assisting GLBT youth in crisis. Unfortunately, I feel that Mr. Hardaway has a long way to go in his "gay rehabilitation" before he should be welcomed as a spokesman for any segment of our community. His intent to reform his views may be sincere, but his words leave me believing that he still just doesn't get it.

In the interview above, Mr. Hardaway says, "Gays and lesbians, we don't have to accept the act, but we have to accept them as people." Being gay is not an act! I do not consider my sexuality to be what totally defines me as a person. It is a single element that is part of my whole being. So please either accept the whole person, or kindly pass me by.

Further in the article above...

"Hardaway has repeatedly apologized for what he said, but still wants to know who's gay in the locker room:"

"We have a right to know. We'd say, `How do you want to do this? Do you want to go into the shower first, or do you want me to go into the shower first?'"

This statement echos homophobia in its most basic form. What is Mr. Hardaway afraid of? The gays in the locker room are going to assault him in some manner or God forbid, look at him in a suggestive manner? Grow up! Trust me. Your team mates are not waiting for you to drop the soap. Additionally, Mr. Hardaway does not have the *RIGHT TO KNOW* the details of anyone's private life, nor do we have the right to know his.

I too would like to forgive Mr. Hardaway for the hateful and damaging comments he made just two years ago (in 2007). But I feel the gay community is sometimes too willing to grant forgiveness before it's deserved, especially when spoken words continue to demonstrate a level of contempt for our lifestyle.

My continued support and donations will go directly to The Trevor Foundation, but I will not attend this event.

[David L. Wylie]

Doug,

He's not a spokesperson. Read the Miami New Times article. He's coming to learn more about the program. He's coming to talk to a couple of young adults that struggled with suicidal thoughts when they were younger. And his foundation is sponsoring the event. There's a huge difference between being a spokesperson and a sponsor.

David L. Wylie
Co-Chair
Lifeline Reception Host Committee

[Doug]

Excellent. I hope that this experience is eye-opening for Mr. Hardaway and that it helps him in his transformation from where he stood in 2007. My misgivings are that the media have gotten a hold of this and have given the misimpression that Mr. Hardaway is suddenly a huge advocate for gay causes. I personally do not feel he is at that level yet.

I would much rather see and hear from Charles Robbins, whose work for our community I admire and respect. I fear that Mr. Hardaway's presence will draw more of the typical South Beach "star seeking" paparazzi and dilute the important message that the Trevor Project has to deliver.

I admire your intent and will always encourage you to continue with the difficult work you do.