Homophobia During Rangers Home Games

Gay NY Rangers fans are unhappy about the "toxic atmosphere" at Madison Square Garden during Rangers games. One of their examples is the reaction to Larry Goodman's dancing (pay attention at about 19 seconds in):

Goodman's dancing, described as a tradition at home games, is broadcast to get the crowds going late in games. And the crowd responds with chants of "Homo Larry!" (Goodman tells the Times he prefers to be called "Dancin' Larry.") Apparently, the crowd has also booed when the New York City Gay Hockey Association's name appeared on the arena's jumbo screen.

MSG says it has taken some steps to crack down on raucous behavior, like ejecting people for using profanity and increasing security. But it has also turned down offers, including one from gay Ranger fan--and founder of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network--Kevin Jennings, to help produce game time PSA's promoting tolerance to fans. Some gay fans have canceled their season tickets, while others just shrug, considering it part of the hockey atmosphere.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who is gay, has asked MSG to be more aggressive in making sure the Garden is inclusive. Given that MSG receives city tax breaks, you'd think they'd be interested in that. And MSG has had its problems in recent years with inappropriate behavior, Isiah Thomas's sexual harassment to the alleged sexual harassment of Rangers City Skaters by MSG executives.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Dave Hogarty in News on March 21, 2008 1:03 PM

Comments [rss]

Novanglus

I think people saying "homo larry" is something that people should just accept and not take as a horrible homophobic insult. Every group takes their lumps in public some way. Thicker skin, folks.

jpeditor

Let me know when we can stop being called "breeders"...

David

Mom, dad, there's something you need to know about me...

I like hockey.

Aristocrat

Toby: I think Oscar would like it if you used the word "lame" or something like that.

Michael Scott: That's what "faggy" means!

ed_Extinct

^that's so gay!

Jen S

Step 1 for a friendly, inclusive environment: stop using "homo," "gay," etc. as adjectives to express displeasure. I learned this 10+ years ago.

Guest

Thanks for the link edEx. Besides reading up on Dancing Larry, I was finally able to find out why Rangers fans chant "Potvin sucks!" at the games. I was completely ignorant thinking that Felix Potvin wasn't even on the team the Rangers were playing. Now I know it's a dumb vendetta from 1979 concerning a clean hit from a different Potvin that broke the ankle of a Rangers player.

ed_Extinct

Larry got the name for being a woman beater:

Larry Goodman, known to MSG regulars as Dancing Larry, is a die hard Rangers fan who is at nearly every game. During the third period of most games The Garden shows his seat section on the scoreboard.

Almost instantaneously Larry pops up and starts dancing wildly in the aisle. All fans start cheering on the Rangers, and Dancing Larry. At the end of the dance he leans over the banister to encourage the entire Garden to get loud to support the home team.

At the end of his routine, many fans heckle him with the chant "Homo Larry.....Homo Larry......Homo Larry". This apparently started when Larry pushed a female who was trying to steal the spotlight from Larry. The fans didn't take well to this move and began chanting the derogatory chant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_New_York_Rangers

section313

If Larry would just stop dancing, this whole conversation would be moot. Because, really - awful. And we don't need him to energize the crowd - just the Rangers to win.

ny2102

@ Rocknrope

Amateur boxing.

Rocknrope

@2102

Curious, which sport do you play?

Also, you bring up a very interesting technique that other gay people I've known do as well - checking your actions and tone to "pass" for straight. I've mostly seen this done by my gay friends who work in particularly testosterone-filled environs, like finance or trading. I knew one VP who even had to endure a night out at a 'gentleman's club.' I can imagine this being a very stressful and uncomfortable way to act.

JenChungsBaby

"What you should have said that would fit this article is something about Tony Romo and how it rhymes with Homo."

I thought about that but that would be childish.

"Anyhoozle, I like you JenChungsBra. Remind me to buy you a beer or two should we ever meet."

Whoa! Wrong place to say that. Are you one of dem closeted sports fan homos who's proving his masculinity because he's worried about his lacking endowment? You'd probably prefer a Cosmopolitan!

Guest

"I would admit my gay if I had one. Terrell Owens might do it too if he can stop crying long enough.

Ouch! How 'bout dem Cowboys?"

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I HATE T.O. Using him to bash my team is like using Jeremy Shockey to bash the Giants... too easy!

What you should have said that would fit this article is something about Tony Romo and how it rhymes with Homo.

Anyhoozle, I like you JenChungsBra. Remind me to buy you a beer or two should we ever meet.

ny2102

Jen S: As a gay guy who competes in an stereotypically very homophobic sport, that's exactly it. I change my entire demeanor in that environment, not that I think I'm particularly flaming in general. I filter the music on my iPod, change the subject or stay out of the conversation when "banging girls" inevitably comes up, and watch my tone and gestures, and instinctively use the words "man" and "dude" a lot. Maybe to the point of paranoia sometimes.

It's frustrating. First, because not discussing my sexuality is one thing, but I don't want to get cornered into a situation where I'd have to lie about it, because it would be hard for me to do that, on principal. It's not even that I think I would be threatened by people if they knew, but I don't want to be judged through any special lens. I'm to be judged as an athlete, not a gay man trying to make it in a sport where he's never before been welcome. If I came out, I'd want to "make it" first, having already proven my worth in that area.

The odd part is that everywhere else in life I'm out and proud. Hell, I came out in high school, in front of everyone.

I just hope when I'm older and look back on it I can appreciate how much of a non-issue it will have hopefully become.

Gothamist_Cynic

All sports fans are closet homos.

JenChungsBaby

I would admit my gay if I had one. Terrell Owens might do it too if he can stop crying long enough.

Ouch! How 'bout dem Cowboys?

ptwnbkr

while i know there are plenty of gay sports fans (and athletes, for that matter, all too many of whom are in the closet unfortunately), it has always been my impression that one of the main reasons so many american males are sports fans is precisely to prove their masculinity, especially the manhood part when they have the impression that they may be lacking in proper endowment.

goddamn, dicks!

Guest

"Anyhoo, simple solution, just get the professional hockey players who are gay to do some PSA's about tolerance for the gay hockey community. Problem solved."

Getting a professional sports player to admit their gay is about as difficult as getting Obama to admit his preacher is a racist sack of shit.

ChampionOfTheSun

I wasn't even aware that NY Ranger fans were able to walk upright.

Rocknrope

Just read the article and found the answer, I really should do that more often.

Anyhoo, simple solution, just get the professional hockey players who are gay to do some PSA's about tolerance for the gay hockey community. Problem solved.

Rocknrope

When did it become "Homo Larry"? I guess I haven't been to a game in awhile.

Jen S

I was at a Ranger's game with a gay friend recently, and he made sure to use proximity-to-aggressive-male appropriate language. It's definitely not specific to hockey, or even just sports. LGBT people learn to conform in certain situations for safety. It's sad that it's a necessity, but until hate is overcome, what else can we expect them to do? Stop living?

babyhitler

C'mon the answer is at the top. This stems from Jimmy James Dolan being head of MSG. The dude reminds me of that Director in Godfather II that slept with 13 year old girls. Hopefully he'll find a horse head in his bed one of these days.

pissyrabbit

really?

Homophobia?!?!?

in professional sports?!?!?

thats hogwash!

Guest

DO NOT confine homophobia to hockey! It's stupid and false. If anything, blame the fans (and players) of every major sports team around. Then pile on top of that the fact that New York sports fans are some of the most arrogant, obnoxious fans on the planet, and you get this kind of atmosphere.