Yesterday we learned that Dallas Mavericks forward Tim Thomas is accused of hurling anti-gay epithets at a Garland man right here in the Voice’s backyard, at the Denny’s restaurant in the 4400 block of Central Expressway. At first we didn’t think too much of it. After all, Thursday was production day here at the Voice, and what are these people doing at Denny’s at 3 a.m. on a Wednesday anyway? Plus, wasn’t another Mavs player recently accused of using the new F-word? Perhaps, we thought, the Mavs players are just being taught to use this word when trash-talking their opponents in training camp. But today, we can’t ignore it anymore, because the gay plot seems to have thickened significantly. The Morning News has an update on the police investigation into the incident, and the story includes this little nugget: Victim Damien Pettie, while not gay, is a stripper at a gay club. Now in case you’re not familiar with our ‘hood, this Denny’s is almost directly across the highway from Zippers and B.J.’s NXS, two dick-dancing dens. But wait, there’s even more. Although Pettie is not gay, he says he was with two gay men (probably co-workers) and that may have been what caused Thomas to think he was gay and call him a “faggot.” As the story goes, Pettie responded by cursing back at Thomas, and one of the men who was with Thomas responded by busting Pettie’s lip. Then all hell broke loose, with chairs and tables flying. But here’s what I’m wondering: If it turns out that Thomas and his friends targeted Pettie because of his “actual or perceived sexual orientation,” would this not be an anti-gay hate crime? Also, if you see a guy with a fat lip dancing at the bar tonight, give him an extra dollar. If his story is true, he stood up to a 6’10” NBA brute and took one in the chops to protect the hand that feeds him.
I wish there was a way to rate posts on this blog because I’d give this one a thumb’s up.
And I am sure the N-word wasn’t thrown out either…I am a gay man, and tired of gay people playing the victims…what if the gay’s started it? None of us will know because WE were not there…please Voice stop advocating the victim role!
Yes, Whatever, I agree with you. Rape ‘victims’ should also stop playing the victim role. They should stop whining and take responsibility for wearing skimpy clothing that makes men lose control.
These gays had no business eating in a public restaurant while there were heterosexuals there who may have been offended by their gayness. Gay should happen behind closed doors – that’s their business, but when when they bring it out in public and get popped in the lip, they can’t cry ‘victim.’
The Dallas Voice, these people got what they deserved … stop rabble rousing! There is no need for authorities to investigate to ensure that justice is served when a crime is committed – the fact that these gays are the victims makes it clear that they’re the perpetrators!
Real good, Whatever, keep it up.
DJ: I like your comedy routine. Obviously sarcastic.
Hmmmm. Last time I recall Dennys making the news, it was because of a corporate decision not to hire “negroes”. So now we have “negroes” ( very tall ones) both experiencing the fine dining that Dennys has to offer, and hurling insults and fists at innocent male strippers. Trash is trash and no matter how good one is at throwing a ball and dribbling ( did he dribble at the dinner table?) one just can’t educate the lower elements of society into even trying to mimic civilized behavior. Little Timmy Thomas obviously has done all of his growing up only in a physical sense. Maybe he should have left his “blackness” at home too.
Skimpy clothing makes men lose control? MEN don’t lose control dearie. Fools do. And it takes a real man to show his “gayness” in public. The bravest guys I know are drag queens.
Mr Gayperson. It is incredibly offensive for you to connect ‘blackness’ with immaturity, trash, and violence. That is blatant racism and has no place in ANY forum.
It’s sad when our own are more ignorant than those who discriminate against us.
We have no idea what these ‘innocent’ strippers were wearing, as far as we know they could have ‘looked’ straight. The word ‘faggot’ is loosely used now days. Just because one of the two parties happened to be gay, it is a hate crime. As I have said before, none of us were there, but like always gay people theorize, and put themselves in the victim role.
Funny when innocent male strippers was stated by Mr gayperson…the strippers that I knew from those establisments were not innocent.
whatever, so you were there and witnessed the whole thing? if not, how do you know the strippers were not innocent? or are you just demonizing expressions of sexuality like the bigots in the religious right?
Whatever, I guess you missed the title of this post, or at least the punctuation. That’s a question mark, not a period. That coupled with the frequent use of the word ‘if’ suggests that John Wright isn’t accusing anyone of anything.
Homophobia needs to be called out regardless of how ‘loosely’ the word ‘faggot’ is used or how gay someone looks. If you oppose investigation simply because you believe gays complain too much, you capitulate to anti-gay violence.
In the event that Tim Thomas, did what they are reporting he needs to held accountable. And the comment made by the DJ person you need go live on a island by yourself, you are at the top of the list of people who should have been aborted.
I totally agree that it is incredibly offensive to equate “blackness” with immaturity, trash and violence. My “black” husband ( Massachusetts residents here) thinks so too. But he also maintains that such behavior as punching perfectly nice strippers in the mouth is part of why black people have to deal with such idiotic racist attitudes. We both maintain the the very concept of “race” is irrational since we’re all sort of varying shades or beige anyhow. (I mean, why is Barack Obama identiied as “black” He’s half IRISH fer heaven’s sake!)
However, to say that gay people have no business eating in a public establishment where people might be offended by their “gayness” is equally moronic. Of course my hubby is so butch he can eat out almost anywhere! Except Dennys. He’s a bit fussy about food. Me? I have trouble keeping my “gayness” in check. I giggle too much. Maybe we should all just stay home.
Oh, and all of the male strippers I’ve ever known were actually very nice people. Not necessarily “innocent” but definitely nice.
it is funny that this be happening during the holidays. they could say that it is the strees of the holidays that is making them do these things but at that hour it is not stress unless you are not getting it (sex) that is and the ones that are in the gay society are getting it better then they are. hum should make you think HO***HO***HO***MERRY GAY CHRISTMAS
Man, I love strippers, but basketball is SO boring.