A tweet sent out Saturday evening by Edmonton Eskimos‘ kick returner Christion Jones with anti-gay and lesbian sentiments has led to some backlash and a pointed response from MLA Janis Irwin.
In his tweet, Jones said, “Man ain’t suppose to be with a man. A women is not suppose to be with another women.”
Janis Irwin, NDP MLA for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood, who is also a gay rights activist, responded to him late Saturday evening.
“I’m so proud to represent this community, but you need to know we are kind and we are welcoming. We challenge racism. We challenge homophobia.
“Your comments hurt.”
Jones’ comments also come during Pride month in Alberta.
Global News spoke to Irwin on Sunday morning, who said she was shocked when she saw the message Jones was sending.
“The reality is, if you’re a young person — perhaps a young football fan who’s struggling with your sexuality — and you see something like that, that can be very damaging,” Irwin said.
“He’s sending the message that being gay, being queer, is wrong. It’s Pride Month right now. This is a time when we should be talking about how it’s OK to love whoever you love.
“Edmonton is a kind, loving city. Those sorts of beliefs just don’t work here.”
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As of Sunday morning, Jones had not deleted his tweet and had defended it in a series of follow-up tweets, including one directly responding to Irwin.
“I exposed my Opinion (sic) to everyone. You want me fired? I thought being diverse gave me an opportunity to feel how I feel and express myself,” he said in another tweet.
“Won’t be changing how I feel any time soon,” Jones said.
Dr. Kristopher Wells, the Canada research chair of the Public Understanding of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth at Edmonton’s MacEwan University, said Sunday that the fact Jones defended his initial tweet is troubling.
“[I’m] shocked, dismayed – particularly to see not just one tweet but several tweets – a real doubling down on homophobia during Pride Month, of all times of the year,” Wells said.
“These kinds of comments are often what we label as casual homophobia, but they have real impact.
“We know the research tells us that many LGBTQ youth drop out of organized team sports at early ages because they don’t feel safe, they don’t see themselves in the athletes that are playing the game.”
Irwin said that she hopes Jones takes this as an opportunity to grow.
“A lot of folks are calling for him to be fired immediately,” Irwin said. “I’m not sure if that’s the way it needs to be. I would rather take this as a learning opportunity. I’m open to meeting with him and talking with him.”
Wells said that the Eskimos organization and the CFL need to address the tweets.
“Given the gravity of this — in this case, this player is not at all to be accepting responsibility for their actions, is not apologizing for the hurt and damage caused by these tweets, which really speaks to a larger problem.
“What kind of education are these players receiving from the league? The league can have great policies, but when behaviours like this happen, it shows they’re not effective,” Wells said.
Jones was signed on a contract extension with the Eskimos in early January, after being traded to the Eskimos last August from the Saskatchewan Roughriders for receiver Kenny Stafford.
He is an American player originally from Adamsville, Alabama.
Global News has reached out to the Edmonton Eskimos for comment.
© 2020 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiU2h0dHBzOi8vZ2xvYmFsbmV3cy5jYS9uZXdzLzcxMTgyODAvZWRtb250b24tZXNraW1vcy1jaHJpc3Rpb24tam9uZXMtdHdlZXQtYmFja2xhc2gv0gFXaHR0cHM6Ly9nbG9iYWxuZXdzLmNhL25ld3MvNzExODI4MC9lZG1vbnRvbi1lc2tpbW9zLWNocmlzdGlvbi1qb25lcy10d2VldC1iYWNrbGFzaC9hbXAv?oc=5
2020-06-28 20:19:35Z
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