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Former NBA all-star Tim Hardaway may have been practicing free speech, but did his "hate-gays" commentary cross the line? (See also: Ex-NBA Star Declares 'I Hate Gay People'). DiversityInc readers had more to say about Hardaway's "I Hate Gays" comment.

Here's some of the responses DiversityInc received:

Actually, in the long run I think Tim Hardaway's comments have the potential to help. Not to give him the credit, but the resultant communications this week are quite strong.  Over the past 48 hours, the volumes of exchange, debate and discussion about this topic increased. Interaction and exchange are factors that help to reduce ignorance and stupidity. Hardaway's comments served as a catalyst to further the discussions.  Without it, we wouldn't be blogging on it and involved in the aftermath. By now the original story would have "short legs". On another level, media, in general; sports media, in general; and basketball media, specifically, are prolonging their coverage post Amaechi's airing. Questions are being asked of active and inactive athletes and ballers that may not have been raised. It will be interested to see how it is handled over the NBA All-Star weekend. Then, the NBA Commissioner dropped the bomb and banished Hardaway from participating in NBA sponsored events this weekend. Without his statements, the NBA league would have yet to take the stand and publicize their policy. Classic "lemonade" making stuff going on here.

-John Green

Since when did Hardaway lose coverage under the first amendment? Those are his feelings; that is his opinion. He only said what many others are thinking. The gay life style is not a life style that is embraced by all. Amaechi is not a victim here. He would have been a victim had he come out BEFORE he left the NBA. He is a coward and has been a coward. He was afraid of the backlash (which there would undoubtedly have been one). He waited until he had made all the money he could, while hiding in the 'closet'. Then he decided to write a book to make some more money about his covert lifestyle and is being portrayed as some sort of saint or hero for his efforts. Bull hooey!!!

-Wilma Wright

Hardaway's comments, unfortunately, illustrate the division among us.   It seems we use anything about who we are to belittle those who are unlike us -- religion, gender, race, age, and sexual orientation.  Clearly Hardaway does not value the differences about people, but he is not alone.

-Angela Hicks

Three cheers to all who stood up and denounced Mr. Hardaway's comments. It's ignorance such as his that has caused so many misunderstandings among our many American citizens and holds us back from being all we can be as a unified nation. I applaud all those who defended the gay problems even while not quite understanding or actually approving of the lifestyle.

-Linda Howard

Given that we have been recently subjected to a rash of people, celebs, etc who feel they can say whatever they want. People, if you don't know the history, all of it, of race in this country you can't understand the real issue about name calling, bigotry, etc, for anyone else. John Q. Public is still very selective about which name-calling it will really get outraged about? And on another note, why is necessary for a gay person to "come out"?  Why the need to tell the public, that you are gay? You can't tell that a person is gay just from looking at that person. Unless you are being discriminated against at work, place of business, etc why the need for a public forum to voice who you choose for a partner. One of your readers made a reference to openly discussing your sexual preference or orientation (remember when it was "sexual preference"?). I don't think I've heard heterosexuals making it a point to discuss their sexual orientation or making their sexual orientation a public, societal issue. 

-Pamela George    

I have to say I concur with the readers statements posted, and applaud DiversityInc for printing the reader's comments, that so rightfully needed to be heard. I suppose it's asking too much for people; and especially minorities, to understand the true meaning of Civil Rights. Civil Rights entail allowing and imposing the same rights for "ALL" people regardless of their skin color, sexual orientation, sex, age, religious belief, etc. To not allow the same rights is to discriminate, and there is no in between. Tim Hardaway's comments were of a very discriminatory nature, and completely insensitive to gay citizens.  He deserves any backlash he gets, because in 2007 we should NOT tolerate this type of nonsense. I am a proud heterosexual, 100% straight African American woman, but I support and respect Gay people, their choices, and their lifestyle, simply because its their God given right. 

-Peggy Ward

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