"The NBA’s Jason Collins says he’s gay"

[Phishfan]

The purpose of sex is reproduction and survival of the species.

So you mean I've just had sex for the fun of it all these years and was doing it for the wrong reason?

[Fau Teixeira]

In answer to CF, i think belief in the supernatural is normal for humans. It's not even under dispute, if you look at the worldwide belief systems, that would back it up.

In our evolutionary past, a set of traits that result in humans believing in a higher power has benefited survival in some way. That's fine. Humans are pattern seekers as a species. That's evidenced by the widespread belief in a supernatural or by he preponderance of conspiracy theories. There's nothing abnormal about that.

[Fau Teixeira]

and yes, common doesn't mean normal

it's normal for any human population to contain ~10% homosexuality .. it's abnormal if it doesn't
it's not common for a human to be homosexual ... but it's normal

[CF DolFan]

You are mistaking the words normal and common.  They are not interchangeable.

I would say you are mistaken.  From Merriam Webster -

nor·mal adjective \ˈnȯr-məl\

Synonyms
average, common, commonplace, cut-and-dried (also cut-and-dry), everyday, garden-variety, ordinary, prosaic, routine, run-of-the-mill, standard, standard-issue, unexceptional, unremarkable, usual, workaday

[Sunstroke]

and yes, common doesn't mean normal

it's normal for any human population to contain ~10% homosexuality .. it's abnormal if it doesn't
it's not common for a human to be homosexual ... but it's normal

I would say you are mistaken.  From Merriam Webster -

Perhaps if you replaced "normal" (and "abnormal") with "natural" (and "unnatural") in Fau's statement... Would that make the distinction more reasonable to you?

[Dave Gray]

I would say you are mistaken.  From Merriam Webster -

nor·mal adjective \ˈnȯr-məl\

Synonyms
average, common, commonplace, cut-and-dried (also cut-and-dry), everyday, garden-variety, ordinary, prosaic, routine, run-of-the-mill, standard, standard-issue, unexceptional, unremarkable, usual, workaday

Not to be a dick, but that's not how a dictionary works.  You can't just replace synonyms in any context and have them mean the same thing.  "Standard Issue" and "Normal" don't mean the same thing except for in certain circumstances.  It doesn't even matter...arguing the dictionary is just a distraction.

[masterfins]

When was anyone "prevented" from voicing their opinion?

You are allowed to say (nearly) whatever stupid things you want to at any time, and the First Amendment ensures that you will not be jailed for doing so.  It does not, however, ensure that other people will not criticize you for your statements... because the First Amendment also protects their right to criticize you.
Timing matters.

Exactly. Once again you say timing matters.  So, I'll ask you again WHEN would you allow Wallace to state his opinions???

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Normal has multiple definitions.  

The normal curve has a synonym of Gaussian curve not common curve.  

But the whole "does homosexuality exist in other species" is pretty much irrelevant to the discussion of whether it ought be considered accepted human behavior.  

There is a whole range of human behavior that does not exist in other species that is quite acceptable (such as posting on message boards dedicated to sports teams) and there is common practices among other species that our society do not approve of for humans such as rape, infantcide, & cannibalism.  Each of which occurs much more commonly in nature than homosexuality.  

[Spider-Dan]

Exactly. Once again you say timing matters.  So, I'll ask you again WHEN would you allow Wallace to state his opinions???

Presuming that we substitute "suggest" for "allow," the day before would have been preferable.  Or whenever this story leaves the media cycle, I guess.

As I said later, upon further reflection, when you're telling others what they should be doing, you tread in dangerous waters (regardless of timing).  Had Wallace said, verbatim, "All these beautiful white women in the world and guys want to mess with black women SMH," this would have been just as big of a story, maybe even bigger.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/01/church-cancels-leroy-butler-speech-over-jason-collins-tweet/#comments

Apparently congratulating Collins is not acceptable. 

[stinkyfish]

No sir, you are wrong! The natural function of sex is reproduction. Aside from propagation of the species, nature has no use for sex.

This is categorically false.

you are wrong.. i suspect it's through ignorance of the subject, which is nothing to be ashamed of.

If you have the willingness, check out this italian study http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0002282#s3

That tackles exactly the misconception you have that homosexuality is a evolutionary negative.

Well if sex isn't nature's biological function to reproduce, then perhaps you two biology scientists can provide everyone with your biased opinion of the natural function of human intercourse. Please, for the sake of us laymen here, just provide nature's reason for sexual intercourse in simple terms. You know, the one we all learned in 7th grade.

[stinkyfish]

The point is, for all the "ridiculing" and "berating" that you claim Tebow received, he was the most popular player in the league.  So whatever persecution he supposedly received for his beliefs was easily overwhelmed by the tsunami of devotion he received from Christians (not least because Christians seem to love the idea of being the persecuted minority even when they are, in fact, the overwhelming majority).

In contrast, you claim that Collins is being lionized and propped up by the media, yet the idea that a gay player (who had never started a full season!) would lead the league in jersey sales, at any time in the foreseeable future, is so laughable as to be absurd.

We are not talking about jersey sales or popularity. We are talking about 2 people that have come out, advertized, and promoted 2 different personal beliefs. One is ridiculed and his personal belief is called "made up". One is "the pride of the movement". Kind of a double standard.

[Spider-Dan]

Well if sex isn't nature's biological function to reproduce, then perhaps you two biology scientists can provide everyone with your biased opinion of the natural function of human intercourse. Please, for the sake of us laymen here, just provide nature's reason for sexual intercourse in simple terms. You know, the one we all learned in 7th grade.

"I breathe when I sleep" is not the same thing as "I sleep when I breathe."

Intercourse is the mechanism for reproduction.  That does not mean that reproduction is the only function of intercourse.

There is a biological reason why humans (and dolphins) do not have clear, obvious biological indicators of fertility windows (i.e. "heat") like almost every other mammal.  Suffice it to say that it encourages non-reproductive sex.

[stinkyfish]

So you mean I've just had sex for the fun of it all these years and was doing it for the wrong reason?

No, not at all. Sex is great regardless.  It takes male & female (sperm & egg) to make a reproduce, that happens by use of male & female sex organs. Without reproduction, the species would die out. Also, there can be real health problems associated with anal sex, and the rectum is the human corridor for defecation rather than sexuality. A vagina becomes naturally lubricated for sexual behavior, but the rectum doesn't have a means of lubrication or protection, whether by evolution or creation.

[Spider-Dan]

We are not talking about jersey sales or popularity.

So basically, you're having a discussion about public perception and reaction that somehow excludes... popularity?  OK...

Well, I guess if you intentionally exclude Tebow's legion of devoted fans, you're right: by definition, "no one" likes him or praises him or defends him.  As long as you eliminate all of his supporters (which are arguably more numerous than any other player in the league), all that remains are people who denigrate him and criticize him.

Not sure what point that proves, but there you have it.