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FSU Glams Up Hoops Stars, Sparks Uproar

Marketing Florida State players smacks of homophobia

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 24, 2009 3:06 AM CST | Updated Nov 24, 2009 4:30 AM CST

(Newser) – Female basketball stars' three-pointers, hook shots, muscles, and agility don't score with Florida State University officials. They've also got to look good in the slinky gowns they had to don for the team's website. Now women are crying foul. Each member of the team, some provocatively clutching basketballs, wears a shiny, low-cut dress lounging in a limo. Some look distinctly unhappy.

A press release insists the message is: "Women athletes are powerful and beautiful"—assuming they're gussied up like princesses, notes Tracy Clark Fiori in Salon. She suspects something darker than simply using sex to sell. The "straight-gals-going-to-the-prom" photos smack of homophobia in college sports. Case in point? A college coach's three mandates for her basketball team, revealed in the film Training Rules: "No drinking, no drugs, no lesbians."

Chasity Clayton ready for the prom in gown she donned for the web site of Florida State University's basketball team.
Chasity Clayton ready for the prom in gown she donned for the web site of Florida State University's basketball team.
Christian Hunnicut poses for Florida State University basketball team web site.
Christian Hunnicut poses for Florida State University basketball team web site.
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 17 comments
Snarfeh
Dec 2, 2009 2:58 AM CST
I agree with you on whether the players were willing, etc. And honestly, I don't even think this is as much about squelching the lesbians as it is simply about s-e-x, which sells....even to lesbians... :o)
GeminiMishy
Dec 1, 2009 6:29 AM CST
That's all well and good, but no where does it mention how these women actually felt about it. They suggest they seem unhappy but to go in an uproar about how you "think" they should feel is a bit much IMO. And trust me, I am FULLY aware of the discrimination from within the community, believe me on that one. But yes, if they were forced, or against it in anyway, this would be wrong. If they shrugged their shoulders and agreed, then so be it as well.
Snarfeh
Nov 30, 2009 5:04 AM CST
True that, Gem, but the ones who are not feminine still exist and do not like being forced to be, act or dress feminine. They shouldn't have to, either. A lot of hets don't even realize how much discrimination there is *within* the gay community when it comes to things like this. Once upon a time, I made fun of the overly masculine dykes along with my friends. We considered it extremely uncool to not be in touch with both your feminine and masculine sides while still dressing like a woman. Years later, my eyes were opened by realizing that some are simply more in touch with their masculine sides and *prefer* their masculinity to their femininity. Some of those masculine lesbians feel they are in the wrong body and may wish to transition. Others are comfortable being a female biologically, but do not feel a need to conform to society's version of how a woman should appear or act and are simply more inclined to and more in touch with their masculinity. However, neither transmen nor butch women have any desire to wear a prom dress and actually have even less desire than a het man, who would never be *expected* to wear one so even he cannot empathize with them. It's harder on a woman who is not feminine because the consensus is trying to force her to be what she is not.
 

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