Gay fan asks NFL team to end Kiss Cam 'joke'

[The Straight Story]

Kiss Cam usually gets some laughs at arenas and stadiums around the nation, as a camera locks in on a couple in the stands and encourages (shames?) them into lip-lock. But a long-time Jacksonville Jaguars fan noticed something on Kiss Cam that irked him. On Monday, he decided to do something about it.

If you've seen Kiss Cam, you know this trick: After a series of shots of men sitting next to women, Kiss Cam will sometimes frame a pair of players of the opposing team on the bench. Dave Uible, who is gay, saw this gag and didn't think it was funny.

"I think I saw it, maybe two years ago," Uible, 47, said by phone Tuesday. "Then I saw it this year. The thing is they have this section at Jags games for honorable kids. Some are definitely going to be gay. It gives a negative angle. I just don't think it's necessary. It just seems out of place to me."

Uible decided to write Jags owner Shad Khan about Kiss Cam on Monday after reading a story in the New York Times by Judy Battista about scrutiny on the NFL's handling of gay rights issues. Topics mentioned by Battista included the questioning of Manti Te'o about his sexual orientation and the controversy spawned by Chris Culliver's anti-gay comments at the Super Bowl. Uible read the story, wrote the letter, and sent it to Khan and cc'd the NFL. Outsports.com published it Tuesday.

"I am gay and I have a lot of gay and lesbian friends who are proud Jaguar season ticket holders. I'm not sure you are aware, but there is a video 'joke' called the Kiss Cam that plays at the games. Often, the bit goes like this: after showing several happy heterosexual couples kissing in the stands, the camera then pans to two opposing male players who are in close proximity and leaning toward each other – insinuating that they may do the exact same (and ostensibly wrong) thing and kiss. Hilarious, right? No, and the message is clear. Jaguars are heterosexual and approved. The opponent is 'gay,' disapproved and the butt of a crude joke. Really, why is this even at an NFL game?"

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--gay-fan-asks-jacksonville-jaguars-to-end-kiss-cam--joke--210850596.html

[IndyPragmatist123]

1. A few years ago, during the kiss cam at an Indiana Pacers game,

they zoomed in on a guy and a girl. The girl isn't paying attention and the guy leans in as if he was going to kiss her. He then pulls back, wags his finger at the camera and leans to the guy on his left and kisses him on the lips.

There were a few boos from fans that didn't like it, but most people thought the way he did it was hilarious and gave him a standing ovation.

[frylock]

2. that's so rad!

wonder if that's on youtube?