The NBA today removed Tim Hardaway from its All-Star weekend activities, a day after he said, ''I hate gay people'' in a radio interview with The Miami Herald's chief sports columnist.

“We applaud the NBA for taking quick and decisive action sending a clear message that hatred has no place in our society,” said NBJC Executive Director H. Alexander Robinson.

“Hatred leads to violence and young Black gay men and women are paying the price on the street. We all deserve better.”

Mr. Hardaway also owes all of his fans an apology. His callous disregard for the dignity of the lives of gay Americans brings dishonor to himself and the many thousands who look upon him as a role model for young Black men and women, many of whom are undoubtedly gay or lesbian.”

When the retired Miami Heat superstar and five-time All Star was asked how he would deal with a gay teammate he told a local sports radio show that he "hates gay people."

Hardaway's comments come after a former player NBA John Amaechi became the first professional basketball player to openly identify himself as gay. Amaechi became only the sixth male athlete from one of the four major American sports to acknowledge that he is gay.

“Maybe Mr. Hardaway has not sat down and talked openly with any gay people. We would invite him to do so and we would work with him to make that happen,” Robinson commented.

“Tim needs to understand how deeply his words hurt and how deadly the silence caused by such intimidation has damaged our community.”

Just last week, a new study released by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) revealed that Male-on-Male sexual harassment or “locker-room” bullying of men towards other men in the workplace based upon their perceived gay identity escalated to a four year record high. 

“It is obvious that from the workplace to the basketball courts, gay people continue to be brunt of aggression and attacks from others intolerant of who we are.  We hope that Mr. Hardaway will come to understand the gravity of his words, words that if put into action incite physical violence” Robinson added.

We at NBJC reach out to Tim and invite him to become part of the solution and not the catalyst which causes the problem.  NBJC is officially inviting Tim Hardaway to attend our 2nd Annual Black Church Summit in Philadelphia where Black churches from across the country will gather to discuss how to combat homophobia within the Black community.

The event is being headlined by the Dr. Rev. Michael Eric Dyson and Rev. Deborah Johnson.