Salon.com > Emmett C. Burns Jr. http://www.salon.com Sat, 25 May 2013 01:08:20 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Football gets LGBT-positive http://www.salon.com/2012/09/10/football_gets_lgbt_positive/ http://www.salon.com/2012/09/10/football_gets_lgbt_positive/#comments Mon, 10 Sep 2012 16:25:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13006802 It's become a worldwide story about a Democratic politician, a pair of burly athletes and the fight against homophobia. And it's become a reminder that as we strive toward equality and tolerance, we'd better check our stereotypes at the door.

On Sunday, Baltimore County delegate Emmett C. Burns Jr., a Democrat, backed off – ever so slightly – from the intimidating, jackassy letter he fired off on Aug. 29 to Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti regarding linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo's support for same-sex marriage. Maryland is one of four states that will be voting on whether to move forward on same-sex marriage in November, so it's a subject close to Baptist minister Burns' heart. In his letter, Burns said that he and his constituents are "appalled and aghast" at Ayanbadejo, who's written about his stance for HuffPo and appeared in a Marylanders for Marriage Equality ad. He added, chillingly, that "I am requesting you take the necessary action, as a National Football Franchise Owner, to inhibit such expressions from your employee and that he be ordered to cease and desist such injurious actions ... Please give me your immediate response."

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