Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
LGBT
Related: About this forumVikings coach Mike Priefer denies Chris Kluwe’s “attacks”
The Vikings special teams coordinator rebuts allegations of homophobia, but his son may not have gotten the memoMARY ELIZABETH WILLIAMS
Mike Priefer says hes not a homophobe. On Thursday, after Deadspin published a scathing piece by Chris Kluwe in which the LGBT advocate and former Viking said he was fired by Mike Priefer, a bigot who didnt agree with the cause I was working for, special teams coordinator Priefer issued a strongly worded rebuttal. But after Minneapolis City Pages uncovered a treasure trove of anti-gay tweets from Priefers son, its worth pondering: Where did Priefer Jr. pick up his no homo attitude?
In Kluwes Deadspin piece, he claims Priefer would ask me if I had written any letters defending the gays recently and denounce as disgusting the idea that two men would kiss, and he would constantly belittle or demean any idea of acceptance or tolerance Mike Priefer also said on multiple occasions that I would wind up burning in hell with the gays, and that the only truth was Jesus Christ and the Bible. He said all this in a semi-joking tone, and I responded in kind, as I felt a yelling match with my coach over human rights would greatly diminish my chances of remaining employed. He also asserts that last fall, after Kluwe wrote his now famous defense of marriage equality, Priefer told a group of team members, We should round up all the gays, send them to an island, and then nuke it until it glows.
After the Deadspin piece appeared, Priefer swiftly issued a statement to vehemently deny Kluwes version of events, and to say, I want to be clear that I do not tolerate discrimination of any type and am respectful of all individuals. I personally have gay family members who I love and support just as I do any family member The comments today have not only attacked my character and insulted my professionalism, but they have also impacted my family. While my career focus is to be a great professional football coach, my number one priority has always been to be a protective husband and father to my wife and children.
:::snip:::
What Priefer did or did not say is at this point a matter of considerable dispute, though so far no one seems to have come forward to corroborate Kluwes account. But a man whose number one priority is his wife and children appears to be raising a son who doesnt share his respectful of all individuals stance. As writer Aaron Rupar revealed Thursday, Michael Priefer Jr.s Twitter account which was locked on Thursday teems with casual RTs about whos a fag, and references to all things super gayyy, soo gay and no homo, as well as retorts to others that yourgay [sic]. Things Michael Priefer Jr. appears to think are gay include school, a Prius with black rims and people. While his sons attitudes are not necessarily a reflection of Priefers own views, its reasonable to ask how that Priefer family love and support plays out in reality, and whether it had anything to do with Kluwes choice to publicly challenge Priefers fitness as a teacher and a role model.
###
http://www.salon.com/2014/01/03/vikings_coach_mike_priefer_denies_chris_kluwes_attacks/
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
0 replies, 841 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (2)
ReplyReply to this post