Gay reporter kept from Hamm brothers

[rawstory]

By Cyd Zeigler Jr.

I had gotten wind of a media opportunity with Olympic medalists Paul and Morgan Hamm, just a block away from my apartment in Manhattan, through my editor at the New York Blade (in addition to running Outsports.com, I am also the associate editor of the Blade). On their way back from Athens, the Hamms were scheduled to be at Chelsea Piers, the largest sports complex in New York City, on Thursday, Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m..

I immediately asked the athletes’ agent, Sheryl Shade, if I could get 60 seconds with them.

“Sure, I’m sure that’s fine,” she said...I asked one of the men from the PR agency whether I would be able to talk with them. When he asked me what paper I was from, I told him the New York Blade..

“Can the New York Blade sit in on this?” I overheard him ask.

“No,” Sherman replied instantly.

When all was said and done, every print journalist left there had been allowed into the interview, except for me. Sherman approached me several minutes later and said he was sorry, but only sports reporters were allowed in the interview. I told him I am a sports reporter.

“Oh,” he replied. It obviously hadn’t occurred to him that someone could be a sports reporter from a gay publication. “Well, I’m sorry.”

http://www.outsports.com/olympics/2004/0828hamms.htm

Carried on http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=45 and http://rawstory.com

[LiberalVoice]

1. Wlecome to Murikkka.

[rawstory]

2. What's uh, Murrikka?

America?

[LiberalVoice]

6. yeah

[donco6]

3. You know us fags . . .

. . . can't play or be interested in sports! We're all a bunch of effeminate, girly-men.

And if anyone ever calls me that, they'll have their nose on the other side of their face.

[Catch22Dem]

5. Right on!

I'd buy tickets to that main event!

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[donco6]

8. Uh, Willy

I was being sarcastic. I'm as gay as a May daisy.

[KamaAina]

10. I guess this place'll have to close, then... (sarcasm)

http://www.mtcc.com/~derik/berts.html

Uncle Bert's Place
18th between Castro and Hartford

Uncle Bert's is basically a neighborhood bar that verges on being a gay sports bar. Any time there is a game playing, you know you can watch it here.

[donco6]

11. I think all the gay bars here in Denver

broadcast any major sports event. This guy that kept out the Blade reporter needs to take a reality check.

[Catch22Dem]

4. Is it possible

That is was an honest mistake? I mean, is it possible he didn't KNOW there was a sports writer there? Just playing devil's advocate. personally, I think you just experienced discrimination there.

[JoFerret]

9. Aaaagh! Dreadful thought......

Could some of these gold medalists be like....you know, well....gay? If so...will it affect their ability to make money from pics on Wheatie boxes and the like? Erm.... If so, well, get real....go away. No way.

I don't know why these fag reporters need to make such an issue of it.

[donco6]

12. That's the most plausible explanation.

Don't make any gay associations, you'll ruin your endorsements!

[The Sushi Bandit]

13. Did you Pee on his leg?>? he sure deserves it!

[Chovexani]

14. The irony of this is hilarious

Considering the Hamms are male gymnasts, most of whom are about as straight as male figure skaters. :P

How silly.