Actually, it's probably my few gay mates who call stuff "gay" the most, and take the piss out of others for being "gay" with the most frequency. They're probably also the ones starting the majority gay chants at football - the younger generations (and I am in my 30's) like to appropriate this stuff and essentially take the piss out of all that old homophobia.

It's interesting that some of you guys think palace do have gay players, I for one would be very happy of course as this would be ground breaking if they came out. But in this climate at palace with the "chants" I don't think even if they were comfortable with there sexuality they would come out.

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ProudAndPalace LGTB

Is that hat brown Deano?

Sorry mate........ old habits die hard

My own view is that most of us do and say a lot of things that are probably politically incorrect and, unfortunately, offensive to some people -- particularly the more thin-skinned among us. But with the exception of a small minority of genuine bigots that you'll find anywhere, I don't think many of the tongue-in-cheek "bender"-type comments are fuelled by genuine hate or even dislike or disrespect. If you want to live in a cosseted world where there really is nothing edgy, there are strict limits on humour, and where everything is treated with cut-glass respect and there is never a risk of causing offense then you can probably make a case for that but personally, I wouldn't want to live there. I'd rather step over the mark occasionally, secure in the knowledge that those people who know me can judge my character accurately and will forgive me if I do, occasionally, screw up. So I think, right now, the balance is about right. And if I ever offend you, don't be a bender. Just laugh.

Edited by sydtheeagle (17 Jan 2014 10.33am)

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

The thing is Maple and with respect I think your missing the point no pun intended but I think what most people are saying on here is that IF we have or signed a openly gay player then the vast majority of the Palace fans would not give two hoots and get behind him, again no pun intended.

What you seem to be saying is that we should actively go out and find a gay player just so we can be regarded as cool and that is what people are finding a bit.. well .. not really how constructing a skillful sporting team is all about really.

DJ John Peel once said: "Supporting Palace has a certain cult value, like pretending that some Peruvian rock band is the best in the world."

Seems to me it not the gays,blacks or muslims that get upset but their lilly livered,bearded,sandal wearing,Guardian reading bed wetters that take offence.Not really sure the minorities appreciate their fawning interference.Call me a bluff old traditionalist my I would machine gun the lot of them....