Is the heat getting to people? It’s not even August yet — the dog days of summer haven’t hit — but it seems as though the incidents of homophobia are boiling over. It’s as though the summer baked the tolerance and self-control right out of people.
First, Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson directed the choice phrase “gay-ass faggot,” prefaced by “Say, no homo,” at a SiriusXM radio-show caller.
After defending himself from the negative press via Twitter, the 24-year-old tweeted an apology. It’s not clear who prompted the recant, as an Eagles spokesperson noted that the NFL lockout prohibited team management from communicating with players.
Next, there was the Philadelphia Parking Authority officer who went on an antigay tirade after a gay couple took a photo of his illegally parked car to post on Facebook and highlight the irony of the situation. Instead, the officer asked if they wanted a picture of his balls to go with it. From there, the harassment got worse, including the officer calling the two “faggots” and suggesting other photos they could take.
After the officer drove away, he circled back to the couple’s house and continued to harass them. They called police, who arrived after the PPA officer left.
The PPA, in what could be one of the best responses a complainant has ever gotten from the agency, suspended the officer with intent to dismiss and called the couple to apologize for their treatment.
The agency has also stated it would hold refresher briefings on its customer-service policies.
Then there was the complaint filed by a former Northeast bar owner, who was repeatedly harassed by a Wal-Mart employee at Franklin Mills, who called him a “faggot” and threatened to stick his foot up the man’s ass. The complaint was settled this week, with the employee admitting to the harassment, apologizing and agreeing to stay away from the customer.
What’s distressing about this particular situation is that the employee harassed the man while on the clock. According to the complainant, the store did nothing to resolve, mitigate or improve the situation.
When PGN contacted the store, we were directed to call the company’s headquarters and, after several handoffs, left a voicemail for the corporate media-relations department. We did not receive a response by press time.
The employee’s behavior appears to violate both Wal-Mart policy and the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance.
Unfortunately, these weren’t the only incidents PGN heard about this week.
Taken together, these specific incidents raise the issue of training, discipline and response. Companies that have nondiscrimination policies, operate in Philadelphia and/or are city agencies need to ensure their employees are trained in what is acceptable — and legal — and comply with those policies.
For those who spew “faggot” so carelessly, you need to check your language — particularly if you wear a uniform and represent a company — or a city.
It’s not acceptable to call gays faggots. There’s no excuse for it.