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Gay Sportsman Comes Out
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The first active player in any major American team sport to say that he is homosexual has just announced the fact in print. Others have come out but waited until their retirement to do so.
When and why do you think any equivalent British player will do the same ?( "Why?" is more interesting than "When?")
The first active player in any major American team sport to say that he is homosexual has just announced the fact in print. Others have come out but waited until their retirement to do so.
When and why do you think any equivalent British player will do the same ?( "Why?" is more interesting than "When?")
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@Lazygun said
//Last time I checked, being straight did not qualify you to be ostracized or demonised or insulted or imprisoned, or your life being made such hell that you felt that suicide was the only way out - All these things have happened over the years to those who are homosexual. ??
All these things have happened over the years - pertinent point -over the years -not now -have we moved on? maybe not in the deep south USA or bible belts perhaps-do not know and have not got time to Wiki that one - I'm not homophobic but people seem obsessed with people's sexual orientation these days and Gay people seem to feel they have to justify their 'Gayness' - in the Press
//Last time I checked, being straight did not qualify you to be ostracized or demonised or insulted or imprisoned, or your life being made such hell that you felt that suicide was the only way out - All these things have happened over the years to those who are homosexual. ??
All these things have happened over the years - pertinent point -over the years -not now -have we moved on? maybe not in the deep south USA or bible belts perhaps-do not know and have not got time to Wiki that one - I'm not homophobic but people seem obsessed with people's sexual orientation these days and Gay people seem to feel they have to justify their 'Gayness' - in the Press
I think that's because, well, we haven't move on. Not wholly. Not yet. There are still some pockets of society where women, gay people, etc., are looked down on.
Like many I'd rather this story didn't matter. It does, because he's the first. It does, because he's surely not the only one but the concern is that other people like him are "afraid" to come out rather than not interested in sharing it.
Like many I'd rather this story didn't matter. It does, because he's the first. It does, because he's surely not the only one but the concern is that other people like him are "afraid" to come out rather than not interested in sharing it.
Point is Mags, it has happened in the past - and while we have moved on somewhat, I do not think we have moved on sufficiently as yet that we take someones sexuality as unremarkable.
There is still a stigma associated with it.Being open and not living a lie on the part of celebrities, professional sports stars, other people in the public eye - all help to foster a climate of inclusion.
So, its a useful thing.
There is still a stigma associated with it.Being open and not living a lie on the part of celebrities, professional sports stars, other people in the public eye - all help to foster a climate of inclusion.
So, its a useful thing.
I don't believe he is trying to justify anything magsmay.
But I'd hazard a guess that he won't want to see anything else like this:
Collins explained that in 2012 he changed his uniform number to 98 - a number with significance for the gay community in the US - as a gesture of solidarity.
In 1998, Matthew Shepard, a gay student at the University of Wyoming, was brutally killed in what has been cited as one of the most notorious anti-gay hate crimes in the US.
But I'd hazard a guess that he won't want to see anything else like this:
Collins explained that in 2012 he changed his uniform number to 98 - a number with significance for the gay community in the US - as a gesture of solidarity.
In 1998, Matthew Shepard, a gay student at the University of Wyoming, was brutally killed in what has been cited as one of the most notorious anti-gay hate crimes in the US.
Naomi -'attacked' physically ? verbally? I associate with a lot of openly gay effeminate men and have never been in a situation socially or even walking down the street where they have been 'attacked' -sometimes a chav will shout something -but I've had that when I've been in Goth gear .- and we just laugh and get on with life......
It happens though, Mags.Even in this day and age, people are beaten because of their sexual orientation.
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Surely we want to get past this kind of ridiculous and dangerous attitude?
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Surely we want to get past this kind of ridiculous and dangerous attitude?
magsmay
Do you disapprove of heterosexual celebrities letting it be known that they fancy someone of the opposite sex?
Do you feel that straight people should keep the fact that they are straight a secret?
That being the case - how could anyone date? Or even get married? They would have to date in secret, wouldn't they?
Do you disapprove of heterosexual celebrities letting it be known that they fancy someone of the opposite sex?
Do you feel that straight people should keep the fact that they are straight a secret?
That being the case - how could anyone date? Or even get married? They would have to date in secret, wouldn't they?
Er.... did you miss Gareth Thomas 'coming out'?
I think this answers your question of "why?" quite nicely...
Thomas' public confirmation of his sexuality made him the first openly gay professional rugby union player. In an interview with the BBC, Thomas talked about how he hoped that his coming out would mean that in the future, young gay rugby players would be able to come out and be accepted as a "talented gay rugby player".
Thomas also said, "What I choose to do when I close the door at home has nothing to do with what I have achieved in rugby".
Since coming out, Thomas has become a vocal supporter of the British charity ChildLine, a telephone counselling service for children and young people.
In an interview, Thomas commented, "I don't know if my life is going to be easier because I'm out, but if it helps someone else, if it makes one young lad pick up the phone to ChildLine, then it will have been worth it".
I think this answers your question of "why?" quite nicely...
Thomas' public confirmation of his sexuality made him the first openly gay professional rugby union player. In an interview with the BBC, Thomas talked about how he hoped that his coming out would mean that in the future, young gay rugby players would be able to come out and be accepted as a "talented gay rugby player".
Thomas also said, "What I choose to do when I close the door at home has nothing to do with what I have achieved in rugby".
Since coming out, Thomas has become a vocal supporter of the British charity ChildLine, a telephone counselling service for children and young people.
In an interview, Thomas commented, "I don't know if my life is going to be easier because I'm out, but if it helps someone else, if it makes one young lad pick up the phone to ChildLine, then it will have been worth it".
magsmay
[i]"I'm not homophobic but people seem obsessed with people's sexual orientation these days and Gay people seem to feel they have to justify their 'Gayness' - in the Press"[i]
That last bit is a bit odd.
What do you mean?
Anyway...I digress. Doesn't it make more sense for gay celebrities to just state, "I'm gay", so that when they enter a civil partnership or move in with their partners, it doesn't cause confusion?
If you were single, and everyone assumed you were gay, wouldn't you say, "No, I'm straight" in order to prevent confusion? Otherwise you'd have colleagues trying to set you up with fellas.
Oh, and another thing - you know when you say that you don't want to know about other people's sexuality? When people refer to their partners, do you say, "I don't want to know whether it's a man or a woman, because I'm not interested in your sexuality"?
Seems...odd.
[i]"I'm not homophobic but people seem obsessed with people's sexual orientation these days and Gay people seem to feel they have to justify their 'Gayness' - in the Press"[i]
That last bit is a bit odd.
What do you mean?
Anyway...I digress. Doesn't it make more sense for gay celebrities to just state, "I'm gay", so that when they enter a civil partnership or move in with their partners, it doesn't cause confusion?
If you were single, and everyone assumed you were gay, wouldn't you say, "No, I'm straight" in order to prevent confusion? Otherwise you'd have colleagues trying to set you up with fellas.
Oh, and another thing - you know when you say that you don't want to know about other people's sexuality? When people refer to their partners, do you say, "I don't want to know whether it's a man or a woman, because I'm not interested in your sexuality"?
Seems...odd.
@sp -I don't 'disapprove' of anyone doing what they want as regards to broadcasting their sexual orientation - but I question why they feel the need. It has been explained by some posters why they may feel the need and I agree with some and disagree with others. As for your further comments well frankly I would put those into the silly comment cupboard and remind you that as Humans our normal default mode is to procreate with the opposite sex so no-one need keep this as either a secret or feel the need to broadcast. As someone who treats people as 'personalities' rather than sexual beings I find no difference between Gay or Hetero people and treat each as people not as their sexual orientation, therefore I do find it difficult to put myself into the mindset of someone with deep-seated bigotries.
@sp (again)
// When people refer to their partners, do you say, "I don't want to know whether it's a man or a woman, because I'm not interested in your sexuality"//
-???????? -no -do you? If someone refers to their partner It never crosses my mind to ask if their partner is male or female -why would it -I would not treat them any differently if they were a jane and referred to their partner as Anne.......or a Nigel and Neil....makes no difference to me.
// When people refer to their partners, do you say, "I don't want to know whether it's a man or a woman, because I'm not interested in your sexuality"//
-???????? -no -do you? If someone refers to their partner It never crosses my mind to ask if their partner is male or female -why would it -I would not treat them any differently if they were a jane and referred to their partner as Anne.......or a Nigel and Neil....makes no difference to me.
magsmay, you may not have experienced it, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. However, I know exactly what you’re saying about laughing it off. I really don’t understand why people give the attackers – and I do mean attackers – exactly what they want by becoming upset about it. If you’re black/gay/ginger – fine – you’re black/gay/ginger. Why get upset about who you are? Whilst people who are ‘attacked’ for being who they are continue to object, the attackers will continue to attack. They’re bullies and their main aim is to humiliate and injure. If the victim doesn’t fall for it, then what?
Incidentally, I’m a ditzy blonde. There you go, you bullies! Now what do you have to say about blondes? See what I mean? ;o)
Incidentally, I’m a ditzy blonde. There you go, you bullies! Now what do you have to say about blondes? See what I mean? ;o)
magsmay
What I'm trying to explain is that it's makes much more sense for a gay celebrity to be open. That way they can look forward to forming relationships, settling down etc, without the constant fear of exposure.
Think about that for a moment - how on earth can a gay celebrity enter a civil partnership without coming out?
What I'm trying to explain is that it's makes much more sense for a gay celebrity to be open. That way they can look forward to forming relationships, settling down etc, without the constant fear of exposure.
Think about that for a moment - how on earth can a gay celebrity enter a civil partnership without coming out?
Why bother, you'd never understand it anyway...
No, seriously. It's wonderful if you don't care magsmay. Some people do. Also, for that matter, some people just can't help being hurt if people insult them for who they are. I don't see why it becomes that person's fault for reacting. Yes it's giving the bullies what they want, so you should try not to react. But if you do, it's still the fault of the guy so prejudiced as to shout out horrible, cruel and totally unjustified abuse.
No, seriously. It's wonderful if you don't care magsmay. Some people do. Also, for that matter, some people just can't help being hurt if people insult them for who they are. I don't see why it becomes that person's fault for reacting. Yes it's giving the bullies what they want, so you should try not to react. But if you do, it's still the fault of the guy so prejudiced as to shout out horrible, cruel and totally unjustified abuse.
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