Thank you so much, Ernie, for your diligent digging on this. There was an editors note before the piece was taken down, and another afterward. I’m still unclear on how the former was edited (except that it was signed by editor John Avlon, whose name was removed from the note after the piece was taken down). The LGBTQ web site Towleroad has screenshots of the changes in the post-takedown note 1. Originally the words “apology” and “sorry” were not used. 2. Originally there was no mention of athletes being harmed. 3. As you noted, the flippant “we screwed up” became the more sober “we were wrong.” Bad all around.

This is indeed a rant!

But I’m confused about what you’re angry at. I’m not saying writers should never refer to someone’s sexual identity (a better word than “preference,” btw, which makes it sound like a core element of someone’s selfhood is a mere whim). There are times when it’s relevant. This is NOT one of those times. There was no reason for this story to exist. The reason I didn’t link to the text of the original story — which is preserved in the amber that is the Internet, of course — is that I do NOT want those athletes harmed further. I see from your email that English may not be your native language, so perhaps I misunderstand what infuriated you? Feel free to clarify. Thanks for commenting.