Tony Dungy Update

It seems that Coach Dungy has been dodging the gay question for weeks. He refuses to come out and states where he stands on homosexuality. He finally admitted he is against gay marriage.

Here is the kicker. The Indiana Family Institute is about one thing only. Being anti-gay marriage and homosexuality. Dungy is featured on the organization's web site and had this to say about IFI.

"I appreciate the stance they're taking, and I embrace that stance," Dungy said, according to the Indianapolis Star. "IFI is saying what the Lord says. You can take that and make your decision on which way you want to be. I'm on the Lord's side."

Whoa!

My read of that is Dungy is saying if one is gay or a lesbian then they are ungodly.

Dungy and the IFI support SJR 0007.

ARTICLE 1 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF INDIANA IS AMENDED BY ADDING A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS:

Section 38. (a) Marriage in Indiana consists only of the union of one man and one woman.

(b) This Constitution or any other Indiana law may not be construed to require that marital status or the legal incidents of marriage be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups.

"We're not anti- anything else. We're not trying to downgrade anyone else. But we're trying to promote the family -- family values the Lord's way," said Coach Dungy said.

If he isn't trying to downgrade anyone then why has he been dodging question about the IFI?

Hat tip to Pam.

Tony Dungy Comes Out of the Closet Against Gay Marriage

I wondered if Tony Dungy was against gay marriage when he accepted an award from the Indiana Family Institute. There is no need to wonder anymore. The answer is yes.

“I appreciate the stance they’re taking, and I embrace that stance,” Dungy said.

“We’re not anti- anything else. We’re not trying to downgrade anyone else. But we’re trying to promote the family — family values the Lord’s way,” Dungy said.

I think Dungy is sincere; if misguided. He hasn't shown a mean streak towards others in his professional life. If anything, he had a reputation of sometimes being too soft as a coach. (See: Johnson, Keyshawn)

I'm curious as to what Dungy means by family values. His son James pretended to be a gangsta on Myspace and committed suicide. It was a horrible tragedy. No one should expect Tony or James Dungy (or anyone else) to be infallible. It should give pause when Tony Dungy appoints himself as a spokesman for family values.

The Indiana Family Institute is only about bashing gays. There is nothing on the web site about helping the poor and needy. The web site has a picture of IFI President Curt Smith thanking George W. Bush for his support of the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Tony Dungy is implying that people of the same sex who love each other should not be together. That is the same values of people who didn't want blacks to coach in the NFL.

Does Tony Dungy Share the Same Views As James Dobson?

The Indiana Family Institute will host a banquet in honor of Tony Dungy. IFI President Curt Smith thanked George W. Bush for supporting a constitutional ban on gay marriage. IFI is associated with Focus on the Family. James Dobson of FOTF is known for strong anti-gay views and attacks on cartoon character Spongebob Squarepants.

The Indiana Family Institute website is all about marriage between a man and woman. They are wise enough not to outright attack gays and lesbians. They know they would drive people away. Deservingly so.

The question for Tony Dungy is does he believe that gays and lesbians do not have the same rights under the 14th amendment as hetrosexual? Does Dungy share the same religious ideology as Dobson and Smith? Their brand of religious conservatism strikes many as uncompassionate towards a group of people who have been mocked and oppressed.