LA Lakers, GLAAD work together to keep gay slurs off the court

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Los Angeles Lakers say they'll work with the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation on ways to keep anti-gay slurs out of basketball.

The Lakers and GLAAD announced a partnership Friday, three days after Kobe Bryant was spotted on a national television broadcast yelling a gay slur in frustration over a referee's call.

Team spokesman John Black says Bryant's words aren't representative of what the 16-time NBA champion club represents, and the Lakers will work with GLAAD on ways to educate their players and fans.

GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios says his organization will advocate zero-tolerance policies for anti-gay slurs at sports events, similar to a policy adopted by the New York Yankees.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.