The Gay Community's Blatter Infection

The President of FIFA (the International governing body of Soccer ), Sepp Blatter, has taken it in the shorts due to an answer he gave to a question that could not possibly have resulted in an answer that would have pleased everyone. Blatter was asked on Monday whether or not he could foresee any cultural problems when the World Cup is held in Qatar in 2022. - I’ll get to his response, which has caused the entire gay and lesbian community to get their panties all in a wad in a second, but first let’s delve into WHY the question was asked...Because homosexual behavior is illegal in Qatar. And when I say illegal, I don’t mean a citation and go about your business illegal. I don’t mean a night in the pokey, and a Stiffy fine (I crack myself up). No, I mean up to 100 lashes with a whip illegal. I mean YEARS in prison illegal. They ain’t playin’ , folks.

Now that the WHY is covered, what could/should his answer have been? - Keep in mind that according to the International Lesbian and Gay Association, there are approximately 85 countries that criminalize homosexual behavior - The first, and most obvious answer is to say something along the lines of ‘I’m sure we’ll all find a way to set aside our differences and come together in celebration of the greatest game in the World‘, blah-blah-whatever, American Football rules, and you know it. Okay, that may, on the surface, seem to be the safest route, and in hind-sight, I’m sure he wishes he had taken it, but that isn’t an answer that would have gotten him off the hook, either. See, everyone wants an answer that supports THEIR agenda, and criticizes the other guy. That’s ALL they want to hear. So a vague, non-committal response like that would get him blasted from both sides…He said what? He had the chance to condemn immoral behavior, and he chose to ignore it? He obviously supports their stance, and I demand an apology!

That sounds crazy, doesn’t it? Just wait ‘til you hear some of the things that were said, and you’ll see how crazy the world has gotten over this kind o’ crap. Another response could have involved him acknowledging the difficulty of the situation, but then he would place himself in political hot water trying to answer for the policies of other countries - Is it a violation of human rights? Why did the committee agree to hold the World Cup there in the first place, etc. In other words, a bunch of questions he dare not answer for the same reasons as above. Somebody is going to get pissed, no matter what. So what WAS his response you ask?

He made the mistake of trying to lighten the mood. He attempted to make a joke. (and we all know homosexuality is no laughing matter, why they‘re being oppressed, man!) Anyway, he said “I’d say they (gay fans) should refrain from any sexual activities” during the World Cup - and he was smiling when he said it. Yep, that’s it. That’s what that no good, gay-hatin’ Republican (obviously) had the nerve to say…Not exactly what the gay community wants to hear, but not exactly heresy either from a man who has absolutely no control over the laws of another land. Due to the fact that his organization is International, and he has 84 other countries that believe as Qatar does, where’s the upside to going scorched Earth on anti-gay laws? Probably not a good career move there, huh?

So now, whether you think it was a ‘smart’ response or not, is it really offensive? I mean, basically was anybody planning on gettin’ busy on the third row during the Spain/Germany match anyway? I mean, come on. It was a JOKE!! Get over yourselves, ya babies! You already got the entire sports of Men’s figure skating and Women’s Golf, what else ya want? Yeah, that was a joke, too. But look at some of these ridiculous responses from respected leaders within the gay and lesbian community about Mr. Blatter‘s comment:

Mr. Blatter’s comments were “very unfortunate and have left people deeply offended.”

“I think they should come out with a strong statement and not just wash it away,”

“We are talking about a very basic human right that is being violated.”

“This is not a joke, this is a matter of life and death to people,”

“It’s disappointing to see that an organization that is promoting the game, which in its statutes condemns discrimination of any kind, is coming out with comments like this.”

“Sepp Blatter jokes about the risk to gay visitors in 2022, but Qatar’s anti-gay policies are no laughing matter,”

“FIFA has endorsed the marginalization of LGBT people around the world.”

“Anything less than a full reversal of his position is unacceptable,”

“We can’t have that from the top of the world governing body—you’ve got to show leadership because you’ve got to influence the standards of behavior required and then you’ve got to enforce it when there’s a failure.”

I REALY like the one about a total reversal being the only acceptable response. A total reversal of his actual comments would have to be something along the lines of “I think everyone should indulge in same-sex activities during the World Cup in Qatar.” Right? Good call. I think He should roll with that one. Anyway -

Blow-hards exist in every community, and unfortunately the loudest and most obnoxious tend to get elected to important positions so that the rest of us have to suffer through their whining, crying, and attention-seeking on a mammoth scale. If everyone would quit trying to play the victim, and accept that there are people out there that don’t have to accept your behavior, no matter how much you think they should, you’d be a lot happier and annoy me a lot less. And I know that offends you.

Oh well. I’m over it.