# Cincinnati Reds announcer Thom Brennaman suspended for on-air anti-gay slur **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 20, 2020, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619 "2020-08-20T23:42:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/21 "2020-08-23T12:17:18Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > It’s worth noting Mr. Brennaman felt comfortable using those words in front of his colleagues. So I’m thinking they ALL talk like that. You’ve never uttered a disparaging term? You’ve never said the word “fag”? If so, you must feel comfortable doing so. If not, I bow to your righteousness. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/22 "2020-08-23T12:37:01Z")
Thinking, here… No, I don’t think I’ve ever used the term “fag”. Why would I have? ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/23 "2020-08-23T12:38:08Z")
Not just that word, but any disparaging term. Bitch. Whore. Never? Really? Ok. I guess I’m mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/24 "2020-08-23T12:41:43Z")
As a child I might have used terms like “fag” or “retard” as insults. But having learned their role in maintaining structural discrimination in society, and how their use affects people, as an adult, I stopped using them. Also, even as a child, I understood that they were meant to be insulting. So I don’t give a grown man any slack for using them in a workplace situation. And no, I don’t use disparaging terms for groups of people. And certainly not as casually and with such evident glee as Brennaman did in that clip. ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/25 "2020-08-23T12:55:37Z")
Well, then, I guess I’m addressing those adults who have, and do, use such terms. Maybe not you, god bless you, but there are many who do use such terms and more, with understanding, who are hypocritically criticizing Brennaman. It looks like I’ve stumbled upon the only place in internetdom where users have never uttered disparaging terms. ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/26 "2020-08-23T13:19:51Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > To be fair he’s being paid to call games not apologize. He did both, in one sentence. "I’m so sorry, he belts one deep, I didn’t mean to offend anyone, it’s to the wall, if people who pay me will, it’s gone, forgive me, home run, reds lead 3 to 2, I’d appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/27 "2020-08-23T13:22:13Z")
> [@Harrington](#): > > Well, then, I guess I’m addressing those adults who have, and do, use such terms. Maybe not you, god bless you, but there are many who do use such terms and more, with understanding, who are hypocritically criticizing Brennaman. It looks like I’ve stumbled upon the only place in internetdom where users have never uttered disparaging terms. You’re letting yourself off too easy. It’s not hard at all to avoid using disparaging terms for groups of people. You can stop right now. People who fail to do so are either assholes or bigots or both. People who do it so casually and gleefully in the workplace are even worse than that. ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/28 "2020-08-23T13:30:16Z")
Isn’t “assholes” and “bigots” disparaging terms for groups of people? Really, I admire you, for never, ever, as an adult, other than the above post, having uttered a disparaging word. You don’t have to mean it, you just have to say it. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/29 "2020-08-23T13:40:56Z")
Even bigots should have learned by now about inappropriate language in the workplace. Brennaman isn’t just a hater (let’s face it, there was plenty of stink on his slur), he’s also an idiot. Fuck him. I’m sure it will be easy to find a replacement capable of behaving professionally. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/30 "2020-08-23T13:41:54Z")
> [@Harrington](#): > > Isn’t “assholes” and “bigots” disparaging terms for groups of people? Really, I admire you, for never, ever, as an adult, other than the above post, having uttered a disparaging word. You don’t have to mean it, you just have to say it. Tell me, what disparaging terms do you and your friends use and in what circumstances? Why do you consider it okay to do so? And if you did it in the workplace, would the people whom you disparaged be empowered to object, or would they just have to suck it up? ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/31 "2020-08-23T14:30:39Z")
Well, I’ve used “asshole” and “bigot” before, as have you, and expected the target to just suck it up. I never indicated that it was “ok.” It’s not, necessarily. A lot of white people use the “N” word because they hear it a lot, via hip-hop culture, and don’t truly know what it means. It’s become casual. Their use of that word doesn’t necessarily mean…anything. Just curious: why do care about my friends? Why have they become a part of this argument? My friends must necessarily believe that which I do? Strange. It’s unfortunate that because someone indicates that the many individuals criticizing Brennaman are hypocrites because most of them have also used such disparaging terms, or worse, are themselves supporting the use of said disparaging terms. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/32 "2020-08-23T14:43:56Z")
You’re making a completely disingenuous argument. “Asshole” and “bigot” are descriptions of behaviors. They are not disparaging terms for groups. I started typing out a long explanation of disparaging terms for disadvantaged groups, but then I realized I was being foolish. There’s no way you don’t understand this. If for some reason you need some schooling about bigotry and disparaging terms, feel free to start a new thread to educate yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/33 "2020-08-23T14:55:55Z")
I don’t wholly understand your argument. I state that most people criticizing Brennaman for his use of the term he used have used that term themselves, or worse, and are hypocrites for criticizing him. What is your argument against that? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/34 "2020-08-23T15:22:12Z")
I referred to your friends to give you the benefit of doubt: maybe you are talking from direct experience from the way people around you talk. The other likely explanation is that you’re just making shit up. ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/35 "2020-08-23T15:30:46Z")
Making what up? Do you believe that none or nearly none of the people criticizing Brennaman have ever used such language? The way people around me talk…You are a seer. Care to address the question? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/36 "2020-08-23T15:42:09Z")
Won’t somebody think of the poor bigots?!! ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/37 "2020-08-23T15:44:23Z")
> [@Harrington](#): > > Making what up? Do you believe that none or nearly none of the people criticizing Brennaman have ever used such language? The way people around me talk…You are a seer. Care to address the question? No, you prove your claim of hypocrisy. Otherwise I see no reason to accept it or address it. ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/38 "2020-08-23T15:44:24Z")
And starts the agree-fest, no substance post, pile-on. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/39 "2020-08-23T15:46:40Z")
> [@Harrington](#): > > And starts the agree-fest, no substance post, pile-on You’ve really written nothing of substance to respond to. “My friends and I do it so it must be okay” isn’t terribly substantial. ---
**Author:** ![Harrington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac8455/32.png) [@Harrington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harrington)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2020, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619/40 "2020-08-23T15:48:52Z")
Where did I state that “My friends and I do it so it must be okay”? I presume your use of the term “substantial” is ironic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cincinnati-reds-announcer-thom-brennaman-suspended-for-on-air-anti-gay-slur/918619.md?page=3)