Here is something relevant and on my mind lately:
Former LSU running back, Derrius Guice, reported that one NFL team asked him about his sexual orientation during the scouting combine last weekend.
It has long been held that discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Here, the combine is analogous to an employee applying for a job, and any employer inquiring too deeply into sexual orientation of their potential employees could potentially be a violation of federal law.
Labor Attorneys are already shocked that this question is still being asked and are heavy set to address these discrimination issues immediately. Another NFL team who did not probe into Guice’s orientation also apparently inquired if his mother is a prostitute as well…hmm. Well that sounds relevant to his athletic skills…
Ida Castro, the former head of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, told USA TODAY that “such a question could draw attention of the EEOC, the federal agency tasked with enforcing the Civil Rights Act.”
To me, this question is entirely inappropriate. We have seen the introduction of the first gay player in the NBA when Jason Collins “came out of the closet,” and I thought the discussion and stereotype of sexual orientation in professional athletics would be more inviting, open, and not a determining factor of employment. Granted the NBA and the NFL are designed more “manly” leagues with a stigma for liking men as a sign of weakness, but says who? Have we not evolved from that yet? In 2018 even if these questions are asked to “get a rise out of someone” or see how they react, it is still not a good look for the League.
The NFL says they are looking into this, and the unfortunate reality is that this issue likely cannot be enforced without more facts.
On the bright side, however, the Supreme Court should be hearing an LGBT case very soon that will help settle this issue even further.
Edited by Leigh Ann Skaggs
Sources for reference
1 Comment
Omar
I really thought a few years back when Jason Collins came out and when Michael Sam, who was being drafted to the NFL at the time, came out as well that we would begin the process of acceptance for gay athletes in professional sports. It seemed like things died down for some years after that (or I was out of the loop), but kind of crazy how in 2018 – things are still so stigmatized for those types of people. Hopefully one day this won’t even be a thought.