It seems that another Alabama fan has made a decision without thinking of the consequences. A sports apparel designer in our state promoted a shirt that had a gay slur on it and could be interpreted as promoting violence toward gays. The shirt was to be produced if Alabama beats LSU in the BCS Championship game on Monday.
I am not providing a picture of the shirt, as spreading the image is in some ways spreading the potential for hatred and violence.
The person who promoted the shirt, Chris Ivey, issued an apology on January 4, but his apology has seemingly been ignored (or unnoticed) by many. The first indication of an apology was published on Unicorn Booty on January 4. I contacted Mr. Ivey on January 4 and received a personal reply later that evening.
Here is what Chris Ivey said in a public comment on Unicorn Booty. Emphasis on part of the comment is mine.
Kevin,
I came across your website about the shirts. I must admit that I did not think of the fact that these shirts could offend homosexuals. Rather, they were aimed towards LSU fans as a joke leading up to the big game. Seeing now the reaction has opened my eyes to the hurtful nature that this shirt presents towards certain people, and because of this I have taken the site down. I have members of my family who are gay, and in no way do I view homosexual in a negative light as someone's personal opinion is their own. This was a misguided joke and the site will cease to exist.
I now see the negativity these shirts produced towards homosexuals, and not a joke towards LSU fans. My sincere apologies are to anyone who was offended.
-Chris Ivey
The purpose of this article is to spread the word of Mr. Ivey’s apology, something that the media and blogger world has for the most part ignored.
My hat actually goes off to Mr. Ivey, for admitting he erred. He has learned from his mistake and humbly made an apology.
I am surprised and somewhat embarrassed that there is still hatred being aimed at Mr. Ivey even after he has apologized and taken the site down. I would hope that the LGBT community could recognize that we have an ally and not an enemy.
Now let’s put this issue behind us, and enjoy the game and the hype leading up to it.
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