The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, this morning called out Kobe Bryant for the apparent use of a homophobic and derogatory slur after receiving a technical foul during the Lakers’ game last night against San Antonio at the Staples Center.
TNT cameras caught Kobe apparently calling referee Bennie Adams a (blank) faggot. Announcer Steve Kerr noticed, and said on the air TNT “might want to take the camera off him right now, for the children watching.”
Neither Mr. Bryant nor the Lakers, has commented on the situation.
The Human Rights Campaign issued the following statement:
“What a disgrace for Kobe Bryant to use such horribly offensive and distasteful language, especially when millions of people are watching. Hopefully Mr. Bryant will recognize that as a person with such fame and influence, the use of such language not only offends millions of LGBT people around the world, but also perpetuates a culture of discrimination and hate that all of us, most notably Mr. Bryant, should be working to eradicate. Bryant and the Lakers have a responsibility to speak up on this issue immediately. America is watching.”
TMZ has the footage up on its website.
Mr. Joughin may be contacted at charles.joughin@hrc.org
