In a surprising twist, the LGBT community has gained an unlikely advocate and defender- Los Angeles?Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant.
Two of Bryant’s fans were enjoying a casual exchange via Twitter in the late hours of Sunday night and the wee hours of Monday morning. One of the fans (@pookeo9) tweeted to Kobe Bryant ?Let’s make out in bed Kobe,? to which Michael ? AKA?@PacSmoove?? responded:
To everyone?s?surprise, the 6?6? NBA star was awake and checking his Twitter mentions; he was quick to jump in and school the young men.
Though it wasn’t likely his intent, this simple tweet may go far as damage control for Bryant. In 2011, Bryant was?fined $100,000 for calling a?referee?a ?f-cking faggot??after receiving a?technical?foul. Predictably, a fan was quick to remind Bryant of this after he?chastised?his two unruly fans Monday morning.
Bryant was ready with a response. And we appreciate it.
The exchange set off a firestorm of activity and memorable remarks on Twitter.
@PacSmoove?enjoyed his?new-found?celebrity status at first:
But..as Kobe could have probably told him, it gets tiring after a bit and?@PacSmoove?is already feeling the stress.
We’re happy to have Kobe in the NOH8 corner. He joins other high-profile athletes, includingBaltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo and Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe,?in what is becoming a growing discomfort with homophobic comments and gay discrimination among professional athletes and sports teams. Is defending gay people the hottest trend? If so, that’s fabulous! Welcome to the world of NOH8, Kobe!
