The group of parents had come together to discuss ways to make schools safer for their gay children.  When someone asked for volunteers to share ideas, an unlikely person was first to raise his hand.  Among the 40 or so people gathered to participate in the YES Institute’s Communications Solutions course was retired NBA player Tim Hardaway.  And Hardaway had something to contribute to the conversation. 

The Heat’s all-time leader in three-point field goals and assists has recently had sensitivity training at the South Miami gay youth advocacy center and was eager to show his transformation.  “He was so genuine,” observed Martha Fugate, director of the YES Institute.  “He gave the perfect answer.” 

For those in attendance, it was apparent that this was a different Tim Hardaway than the one that proclaimed his hate for gay people on a sports talk show back in February. 

When asked during a radio interview how he felt about John Amaechi becoming the first former NBA player to say he was gay, Hardaway didn’t mince words.  “First of all, I wouldn’t want him on my team,” the former Miami Heat star said.  “And second of all, if he was on my team, I would, you know, really distance myself from him because, uh, I don’t think that’s right.  I don’t think he should be in the locker room while we are in the locker room.”   

When the show’s host, Dan Le Batard, told Hardaway that his comments were “flatly homophobic” and “bigotry”, Hardaway continued spewing his offensive opinions.     

“You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known. I don’t like gay people and I don’t like to be around gay people,” he said.  “I’m homophobic.  I don’t like it.  It shouldn’t be in the world or in the United States.” 

For twenty one year old Geo Bustamante, Hardaway’s words were more than the harmless ranting of a retired professional sports star.  Fearing the player’s many fans might use his diatribe of hate as a license to commit violence or verbal abuse against those they perceive to be gay, Bustamante immediately penned a letter to the athlete. 

After sharing his personal story of the difficulties he experienced when he came out of the closet, the young writer challenged Hardaway with these words; “You owe every young gay person out there an apology for the potential harm you have caused. The children’s nursery rhyme that says “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” could never be more false. Often, Mr. Hardaway, hateful words lead to sticks and stones-emotionally and physically.”  Bustamante’s letter was originally published in a local alternative magazine and reprinted in several national publications, including CLICK Magazine and on the Gay Democratic Caucus website. (CLICK HERE TO READ ENTIRE LETTER).

Tim Hardaway has apologized for his comments and he’s taking steps to better understand young people like Bustamante.  Not wanting his work with the gay advocacy group to seem like a publicity stunt or a quick fix to an image problem, Hardaway has declined many interview requests while pursuing this path of self-examination and understanding on the root cause of his public remarks disparaging gays.  “I just wanted to go in and get educated, that’s all.  Get educated on what I said and why I said those things,” Hardaway recently said in an interview with the Associated Press.  “I’ve come to find out that I made it possible to bash gay people,” he said, concurring with Bustamante’s open letter.

Tim Hardaway is now considered a friend of the Yes Institute.  His photo appears on the group’s website (CLICK HERE TO VIEW) and his presence is valued enough that Fugate recently sent out a letter about the organization’s relationship with him.  “Thanks to his honest albeit misguided reaction, Tim did find his way to Yes Institute and the education he got was not just about others, but about himself,” Fugate wrote. 

There has been a wide range of reactions to the news that Tim Hardaway has changed.  While some in the GLBT media have expressed doubt that this is not a publicity ploy designed to improve his image, others are urging the community to reserve judgment for now. But Bustamante, an associate editor, writer and photographer at www.gaysofla.com, is hopeful.  “I’ll take him at face value,” Bustamante replied when asked if he believes the basketball player and fellow Miami resident is sincere.  “He would be a tremendous ally to our community in fighting homophobia,” Bustamante observed.  Bustamante is writing another letter to Hardaway, commending the player for the courageous steps he’s taken to educate himself in regards to the issue.