The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the America’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy and anti-defamation organisation, today responded after Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah shouted an anti-gay slur toward a fan during a game on Sunday night.
“Last month the NBA sent an important message about how such slurs fuel a climate of intolerance and are unacceptable,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “These anti-gay remarks, coming so soon after, demonstrate how much needs to be done.”
Noah has since apologised stating: “I apologise. The fan said something to me that I thought was disrespectful, and I got caught up in the moment, and I said some things that I shouldn’t have said. I was frustrated and I don’t mean no disrespect to anybody. I just got caught up.”
“Noah’s apology is a start,” Barrios continued. “We are confident that the NBA will now take disciplinary measures and hasten its work with us to tell all players that there is no place for anti-gay words and attitudes in the game.”
This morning GLAAD reached out to the NBA and the Chicago Bulls to discuss next steps.
Following the use of an anti-gay slur by Kobe Bryant, GLAAD began a partnership with the LA Lakers and the NBA. The Lakers sent a message about the use of such slurs through a video that was shown at home games during the Lakers’ playoff run. GLAAD is actively working with the NBA to foster a safe environment for all fans, employees and players.
