"Homophobia - Tackle It"
This is an unprecedented initiative and I applaud it fully. It almost certainly comes on the back of Gareth Thomas, a major player in Rugby Union coming out, along with other major sports stars recently: Donal Og Cusack (Irish Hurler), Steven Davies (UK Cricketer) and most recently Anton Hysen (Swedish Footballer), all current players in their respective fields, which is the most unusual thing in all of their stories. There have been other stars of such major sports, who have come out at the end of their careers or during their retirements, but to come out while still playing is a brave thing and is to be greatly respected. Hopefully this initiative by the Eagles will help change the attitudes of children growing up (as well as adults), seeing their heroes supporting equality, encouraging them to support their friends who may be LGBT themselves.
Long term readers may recall that I compile a database of LGBT people (which helps me provide the details for my other blog: "On This Gay Day" in which I list LGBT people who were born or died each day, as well as events in LGBT history). I've looked through this list of 6378 (to date) names and found a surprising amount of LGBT sportsmen and women. Surprising only because of the inherent inhospitable atmosphere that exists in most sports environments, sometimes caused by the players, often by the media, but more often by the (most vocal) supporters.
It may surprise some people to know that there are out LGBT people in all the following sports and more:
American Football, Baseball, Basketball, Bodybuilding, Boxing, Cricket, Curling, Cycling, Diving, Dog Sledding, Equestrian, Fencing, Field Hockey, Figure, In-Line & Speed Skating, Football (Soccer); Golf, Gymnastics, Handball, Hurling, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, various Martial Arts, Motor Racing, Motorcycle Racing, Netball, Rock / Mountain Climbing, Rugby (Union & League); Skiing, Snowboarding, Softball, Speedboat Racing, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Trampolining, Triathlon, Track & Field, Volleyball, Water Polo, Weightlifting, Wrestling.
I've probably missed some from my database, I am almost certainly missing some "out" athletes from my listing, and there are definitely going to be hundreds that are not out YET.
If you like sport, you are bound to follow at least one of these sports. Maybe someone you like or respect in their field is gay? If they come out, will it affect your respect for them?
I look forward to seeing the response to Sheffield Eagles emergence in their new kit on Sunday and also to whatever the next initiative will be. Isn't it about time that Football, the leading sport in the UK (and much of Europe), led the way in supporting its LGBT players and support staff. They certainly have the money to do it, more than almost any other sport I would guess. But, in a sport where players seem to be rewarded with obscene pay packets despite of, or maybe because of, their degenerate and immoral behaviour, do we really want to have some of these "stars" as spokespeople for the LGBT community?
2 comments:
You can hardly imagine a sporting team doing this in most countries around the world!
It says something for the prevailing atmosphere in England that (at last!) guys feel happy to campaign alongside their gay colleagues and friends.
To be truthful, Alex, I've a bit of a lump in my throat - it's a great thing to see.
I agree. When I hear these stories about well-known sportsmen coming out I feel proud, encouraged and warm in my heart. I also feel protective of them and worried for their careers.
I do think though that, with each one who comes out, whatever the sport it makes it just that much easier for the next one to find the strength.
It would be great to have a whole throng of sportsmen and women (or any celebs for that matter) come out within a couple of weeks, the media wouldn't know who to focus on. I think someone in the know should organise something.
I have some ideas for how to do this if anyone is interested in organising it.
Post a Comment