Homophobic Backlash After Toronto Raptors' Leandro Barbosa and Reggie Evans Hold Hands

The Toronto Raptors snapped a six-game losing streak with a 102-98 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Guard Leandro Barbosa had some 14 points ... should be reason to celebrate, right?

In a light-hearted moment, Barbosa took the hand of teammate Reggie Evans enroute to the locker room. The innoucous image has caused a "no homo" gay panic backlash across the 'net.

Hundreds of gay-baiting comments were left on YouTube and other sites. YouTube commenting is now disabled but  OutSports captured some of the flavor: "How romantic…ha, faggs." "Reggie Evans is GAY" "Not only does [head coach] jay triano have to deal with barnani and calderon but these fags has well! its a miracle they even won 21 games!"

The backlash against the ballers is reminiscent of the January 2008 University of Louisville incident. The image of two Louisvile players embracing produced hundreds of gay panic comments.

Sad. The intense homophobic culture surrounding American sports is exactly why few athletes are willing to come out.

Via Nathan James and Outsports, watch the video AFTER THE JUMP ...

Comments

[reggieh]

In parts of Africa and the Middle East it is unusual to see a man and a woman holding hands - two men holding hands in public is the norm. Folks in the states need to grow up.

[Citationkiddz]

There is NOTHING wrong with two guys holding hands! And maybe the two were walking back to the locker room, and the way that these AP photo guys, snap pictures at 200 photos a minute, they just got the shot that they need to make money and to get some feedback! (either negtative or postive) GIVE ME A BREAK!

[TheRevKev]

PUNKS MEET MANHOOD: MANHOOD MEET PUNKS! I love it when "straight" dudes freak out over moments of affection and then RUN to identify as straight as though they are GAY for just LOOKING AT IT!

These are two grown men who KNEW that this moment would turn every head and eye towards them and BAM, they were right. GROWN MEN WITH BIG THINGS POPPING! This is how you work the press and idiots into a frenzy!

[Sfcalvinaz]

I thought it was beautiful. And those that protest the loudest are the least secure in their own sexuality.~Calvin

[Tim'm]

We need to replace "No Homo' with "Bro Homo" - TTW

[Black Pegasus]

I'm not going to address the knuckle dragging cavemen who have decided to make this an issue.

Instead, I'm just going to enjoy the beauty of the moment and the sentiments behind it, and I suggest the rest of you do the same. Let your heart embrace the litehearted jester shared by these two Black Men while ignoring the noise in the background.

[nikki]

People need to rewire their brains. Nothing wrong with that.

[Jewels]

How did the players ever get past slapping each other on the ass? I too think it's a beautiful show of affection and love.. you would think they were having anal sex by the reaction.

[MDS]

Its extremely obvious it was done it fun. look at how he is smiling. Barbosa is a sexy mug though. You can always wish :-)

[blk]

yeah leandro barbosa is not even from america so that would maybe explain why he does not have hang ups with showin male to male affection...this homophobic "no homo" mess seems to be an african american thing...its like we tear each other down here in america in every aspect of our lives...fuckin shame

[may]

i live in Africa. men holds hands here often and most are not gay..

[Corve]

Isn't this team work

[Mychaeltodd]

It just goes to show you how bias people are about GAY people- these people who are upset, are the main one's who have no meaning of feelings's!- go find some love!

[emily]

I miss the day where people could just hold hands for the sake of holding hands.
but now it's like a symbol of your sexuality?
i hate that, i wish people would just realize that holding hands could mean a lot less or a lot more then "who i am with"

[V]

A real shame straight men can't express kindness to one another. Guess the ignorants would rather they bash each others heads in or run around stabbing people.

[sonja mills]

yo yo nice to see so many positive comments. this is the cutest thing I've seen in years.

[Jay Dub]

What's so HILARIOUS to realize is...if they had slapped each other's asses while playing, no one would have made the hateful comments. They would have chalked that up to congratulatory bonding.

[ff]

I think continuing to point out that those who are the most offended by it tend to be the ones who are insecure and unsure about their own sexuality.

Maybe then those people will take a closer look within. Or they'll just keep quiet and let people be.

[Mike]

I can't see what the issue is here. This is just two guys joking about after a game. People leaving negative comments over the net need to grow up!

[Gdubya]

I would hold Leandro Barbosa's hand too and whatever else he lets me hold.

[Cleon]

I know we like to point to other cultures and how their customs are as compared to the West. Men do walk hand in hand and even dance with each other but it has nothing to do with homosexuality. Also there are customs in other cultures we would find barbaric, we wouldn't try it over here. We can't pick and chose other culture norms for our own arguments. Here in American men holding hands or kissing in public is not an accepted custom, period. We've seen a number of displays of affection between athletes which have been tolerated with an understanding they are straight. If the public doesn't know for sure Homophobia will settle in and you get the reaction these players received.

[JAMES JONES]

WHAT THE BIG DEAL CLEARLY IT'S NOT THAT SERIOUS AS MUCH AS SPORTMAN SMACK N SLAP EACH OTHER ON THE ASS N THIGH Y SHOULD THIS B ANY DIFFERENT IT ALL N SPORTSMANSHIP