NFL player Carl Nassib made history by being the first active football player in the professional league to come out as gay. In response, The View host and comedian Joy Behar took it upon herself to make a homophobic joke immediately.
Behar made her poor-taste joke about gay sex on the air.
She said:
"After they said penetration in the end zone, they lost me!"
The backlash was immediate.
Behar then attempted to walk back the joke at the end of the segment.
Behar began:
"I just long for the day when you can just be gay in the world, and it doesn't become a big deal."
"By the way, that inappropriate joke I made for daytime television?"
"Scratch it. Make believe I never said it."
However daytime TV was not why the joke was inappropriate.
Equating the sexuality of non-heterosexuals to just the act of intercourse is demeaning and dehumanizing.
Joy Behar tries to walk it back at the end of the segment. By the way, that inappropriate joke I made for daytime… https://t.co/9ADG5goahK— Justin Baragona (@Justin Baragona) 1624376033.0
@justinbaragona Not even an apology? Just a “forget it never happened”? She drives me nuts.— Alyssa Christensen (@Alyssa Christensen) 1624392012.0
@justinbaragona So she gets a pass when there have been so many that made the same type of “innocent” comment who h… https://t.co/nkWLcl5rjH— Michael D Scott (@Michael D Scott) 1624399103.0
@justinbaragona No excuse but isn't she known to be a comedian? Maybe she should stick to being a host instead...— Sitaraman (@Sitaraman) 1624406878.0
Fans were generally dismayed by the joke, believing it to be beneath the caliber of discussion surrounding Nassib.
Even Meghan McCain rolled her eyes.
and I’m sure this is why people (especially professional athletes) are so afraid to come out... smh, this is disgus… https://t.co/XsKCSN5f7k— Robbie (@Robbie) 1624466662.0
These are supposed to be our “allies”? And it’s not even about being able to take a sex joke or not, but football i… https://t.co/Xay1dTMcXN— Helpful Advice (@Helpful Advice) 1624466359.0
@JoyVBehar just kind of sucks. Not necessarily anti gay. Definitely not funny. Just kind of there. Kind of… https://t.co/fYWvYfhscN— TadarilloSlim (@TadarilloSlim) 1624422559.0
This is ignorant and gross and .... not surprising. I’m sure @TheView will let this slide though. https://t.co/l4TyI9jGSV— amanda (@amanda) 1624413393.0
I’m offended this is the best gay meets nfl joke she could’ve come up with! “Tight End” “Wide Receiver” I mean…so m… https://t.co/ujG2LVc0ol— Patricia From Sales (@Patricia From Sales) 1624416794.0
Behar has not commented on the joke again or apologized to Nassib for objectifying him and mocking his sexuality.
Tasteless, ignorant and obvious. Not her usual thing. https://t.co/L7i4NFXpmE— SaavikYesWeDidAgain!! (@SaavikYesWeDidAgain!!) 1624401089.0
Just cancel this show already https://t.co/KEb1JSh3oa— drew olanoff (@drew olanoff) 1624400866.0
It's Pride month, so if you're planning on making a tasteless joke about gay people, perhaps it's better saved for a different time of year.