The guy's a freaking idiot. The article gives his honesty too much credit. However this
Hardaway's implied reluctance to share a locker room and shower with a gay teammate is somewhat understandable. Most heterosexual men feel the same way. Homophobia is a not a crime. Letting it control your behavior is wrong.
I have a problem with. I understand the majority of the issue re this statment is - where men are concerned - mostly homophobia. But not all of it.
Now, what is it called when women are in the locker room - in various stages of undress and bathing - and men come into the same locker room to use it - and some do leer and make sexual comments?
They're both using the locker rooms. Is leering and making sexual comments a crime? Will some do it? Of course, it's a male fantasy come true. Will they all do it? Of course not.
However, what word can we use to define the women's dislike in having men share the locker room with them so they don't have to put up with this? Modesty? Men-o-phobia?
Men and women's areas for bathing/toilets/locker rooms etc., are segregated in the U.S. for the most part. Why?
I'm not sure the 'official' reason, but ask many women if they mind using unisex bathrooms and locker rooms - at the same time as men - and women in this country especially will go 'Ooooo, of course not!'
And I think you'll find the reason that some straight women and men might not like sharing a locker room with gay women and men. It's not a matter of homophobia, it's a matter of feeling you have some safety in your bodily integrity or the freedom not to have to worry about it. This is an issue, and I don't know what the answer could be.