On yesterday's edition The O’Reilly Factor, host Bill O’Reilly blasted the San Diego Padres' decision to host a children’s hat giveaway and a gay pride night during the same baseball game. O'Reilly described the business decision as "almost unbelievable" and a "mistake" to "cluster" gay men and lesbians during a "hat giveaway for any kid under 12."
So thousands of gay adults showed up and commingled with straight families. Predictably, that caused some anger, some saying the promotions were inappropriately timed, and some parents echoing that...If you want to have a gay night, don't put a children's promotion along with it. That's just common sense.
It's interesting that on the same day two prominent "family values" conservatives are accused of sexual misconduct, O'Reilly's talking points would rehash cultural myths on gays and sexual predators. More than anyone else, Bill O'Reilly should know better.
Video at Media Matters
So...gay people cannot be near children. riiight. You know what. I'm straight and I get so annoyed at straight people for acting like it's (OMG) contagious. Please already. You have so much going on in the US right now in our OWN congress (uh, escorts? what's going on) and O'Reilly plays the Padres. Because you know, shame on them for trying to be inclusive.
BTW, Rod, I love your blog. I've only been reading since March but I'm hooked. My morning cup of coffee and Rod 2.0 lol.
Posted by: Miss T | 12 July 2007 at 22:21
Well, isn't O'Reilly an expert himself on sexual harrassment matters....?
Pot, paging kettle.
Posted by: Andy in Seattle | 12 July 2007 at 22:27
Miss T, you took the words right out of my mouth. Bill O'REeilly and the conservative pundits are running scared, so why not blame the gays?
And yes, let me echo your compliments. I'm also new to this site and it's fantastic. I'm proud we have a black gay blog of this caliber.
Posted by: caleb rexter | 12 July 2007 at 22:29
You know, I feel most Americans now feel that Bill O'Reilly is full of alcohol smellin' shit. Maybe it's just the bright sunshine and low humidity we have here in Philly today that has me feelin' all optimistic like Little Miss Sunshine; but I actually believe they know he's a drunken alcholic, facist pig--I just feel positive about that. Or it could be the photos of Shemar Moore that I gazed at all night. Whatever, I jsut feel good.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 13 July 2007 at 08:36
I wonder if Bill thinks the parents wouldn't have brought their kids to the game if the Padres hadn't been given away free hats? This arguement makes no sense. There were over 40,000 people in the stadium that night, and nothing happened. Everyone sat down and watched a baseball game. It was the same as any night, when the stadium is full of people of diffrent races, nationalities, and sexual orientations.
Posted by: Cadence | 13 July 2007 at 08:49
LOL!!
You have to laugh at Bill O, and all the people out there who actually believe this idiot is relevant.
Posted by: taylor Siluwé | 13 July 2007 at 17:15
He makes me so mad!
Posted by: Queer Beacon | 13 July 2007 at 19:08
Listen, for someone who is categorized , "routinely", as "the world's worst person", by Keith Olbermann, he should be seeking counseling, God, or transcendental meditation, 'cuz he ain't right. LOL
Posted by: aaron | 13 July 2007 at 20:35
@taylor Siluwé - It would be funny to me too except O'Reilly has a solid following and people are eager to believe this crap.
You'd think by now with all of the research proving the opposite of these bigoted feelings that we would not have supposedly smart people saying such dumb things.
Posted by: j. brotherlove | 15 July 2007 at 12:38
j. brotherlove, all the research in the world would not change what Bill O'Reilly says one iota. He is just preparing the volk for the final solution.
And you're very right—my boss is the perfect example: She's female, Puerto Rican, a New Yorker, well-educated, and very successful—and she just loves Bill O'Reilly.
Posted by: Jim | 16 July 2007 at 02:00
And someone should watch Bill O'Reilly whenever he wants to show a child how to make "falafel".
Posted by: IsleZeus | 16 July 2007 at 14:49
Everyone knows that gay men do not molest children, thats a white male crime.
Posted by: doe | 31 July 2007 at 17:28
For anybody who doesn't agree with Bill O'Reilly, you are a fool. The man makes more sense then anybody I've ever met (besides my father, who also happens to be a big fan of O'Reilly's). Homosexuality is a sin and is completely wrong.
Posted by: Caleb | 24 November 2007 at 16:04