A Canadian celebrity gossip blog called “Is This Happening?!” has an item which seems to out 19-year-old Jiri Tlusty, a Toronto Maple Leafs rookie. It’s solely based on a photo of Tlusty and another man apparently licking each other’s tongues. A followup post says Tlusty read the item and wanted to reply. Asked why there was such a picture, Tlusty is quoted as saying “Because was really good night after his birthday and we had really good time all our group from home town.” Asked if he is gay or bisexual, he replied, “I am not gay or bi nothing.” Next question: “What are your views on homosexual hockey players – whether it be in the NHL or just in general?” Jiri’s answer: “I don’t know nothing about the homosexual.”
It seems to be just another pathetic example of a gossip site trying to gain attention and web hits by playing the gay card. And since I’ve written about it, I guess it worked.
As a public service I’ll mention that the site also has a separate post in which Tlusty appears naked, using a cell phone to take a picture of himself in front of a mirror. I’m not posting that link. Find it yourselves. 
– Joe Guckin
Update: Tlusty’s naked pics spawn frenzy
on Nov 9th, 2007 at 9:02 AM
People get hung up too much on pictures of guys goofing around with other guys. And I think pictures like that are increasingly common. Younger guys simply don’t have the hangups that a generation before might have had and can have a little fun without getting worried about how they’re perceived. Hopefully, at some point, there will be a tipping point at which the rest of the public will also be at that stage so there won’t be any particular reason for gossip rags to breathlessly trumpet such photos as possible “gay clues.”
And hopefully they’ll still run them, simply as candid pics of guys having fun, since I rather enjoy seeing them.
on Nov 9th, 2007 at 10:16 AM
Yeah, that photo doesn’t mean anything. My teammates have done way gayer things than that, and they’re still quite straight.
on Nov 9th, 2007 at 12:35 PM
Although his name does sound a bit like a Czech porn star.
on Nov 9th, 2007 at 7:37 PM
BTW: Another indicator that he is totally straight…He had a lawyer send a letter to remove the naked pic.
http://isthishappening.typepad.com/LAWLETTER.jpg
We know only a straight guy who was totally comfortable with his sexuality would do that.
on Nov 9th, 2007 at 7:42 PM
Ever since I saw Jiri’s name this morning I can’t get that Cole Porter song outta my head.
It’s T-licky, It’s T-lascivious, it’s T-lusty!
on Nov 14th, 2007 at 11:48 PM
Well the naked pics of Tlusty are front page news now. This is Toronto (aka – Leaf Nation) and this is a Maple Leaf we are talking about. The pics and stories about the naked pics are EVERYWHERE. It was banner headlines covering half the front page of the Toronto Sun this morning. Then was either the lead or second story on every television newscast this evening. That is newscast – not just in the sports section of the nightly news. TSN and Sportsnet have been running stories on it all night. Leafs and other NHL players have been interviewed for their ‘reactions’.
Oh Jiri – I hope you don’t make any boneheaded plays like your teammate McCabe did last night in overtime – in our next home game against the Sens Saturday night. In fact it would be great if you could score a goal. I’ll be at the game and we’ll cheer for you – gay or not! And if you happen to be gay – I’ll be up in Section 312 – Row 4 – Seat 16. I’d be happy to take you out for a drink after the game. I know some places on Church Street you might like.
xoxo
Pat