ESPN Radio talk show host Tony Kornheiser on Tuesday said the sports network issued guidelines to its employees for discussing gay athletes following NBA player Jason Collins’ announcement Monday that he is gay.
Kornheiser told listeners that the network is not telling employees “how to think,” but has encouraged broadcasters use the word “gay” instead of “homosexual,” and “sexual orientation” instead of “sexual preference.”
“They say that ‘homosexuality’ or ‘homosexual’ is used and hurled at people who are gay as a slur,” said Kornheiser, who added that he accepts that and would follow the network’s guidance, reported National Review Online.
Get the Daily Brief
The news you care about, reported on by the people who care about you.Regarding the term “sexual preference,” Kornheiser told his audience that “the science position now” is that you are born gay, so it’s not a preference.
“I completely understand and agree with this one, 100 percent,” he said.
Listen:
Kornheiser also applauded Collins for his decision to come out, but suggested that the event isn’t “as landscape-changing as other people might think it is.”
On Monday, Chris Broussard, who covers the NBA for ESPN, said on air that Collins was a sinner “walking in open rebellion to God, and to Jesus Christ,” and that he would not characterize him as a Christian.
The network responded with a statement that is regrets that “a discussion of personal viewpoints” became a “distraction.”
