Tuesday's class consisted of a discussion on gay athletes. A lot of good points were brought up whether it would hurt an athletes career to come out during their career or not. As sad as it may sound, I feel that an athletes career would be destroyed. This may be horrible to say, but in my mind it is how our society is. What makes it so hard for any ordinary person to come out and say they are gay? Plus, any ordinary person that comes out doesn't have to deal with the media who crave for things like this to happen.
It is hard to think of a single gay, lesbian, or bisexual athlete that has recently come out. Immediately Kordell Stewart and Mike Piazza come to my mind, however, those happened to just be rumors. In fact, coming out was such a big thing to Mike Piazza that he held a press conference just to tell the media and fans that he wasn't in fact gay. This just proves my point that an athletes career would be altered if fans and the media knew they happened to be gay. This obviously isn't right, but its how the media is today.
After trying to think of gay athletes, I found a wikipedia page that was made and titled, "List of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Sportspeople." After reviewing the list, it amazed me how I really haven't heard of many of the athletes. This also made me think that coming out really hurts your career. Besides Dennis Rodman and Sheryl Swoopes, many of the people on the list were a bunch of no named athletes.
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Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI agree I think it is stupid that people can't come out of the closet. I believe if they do it just can hurt their career, which is wrong. The list of gay athletes currently is slim to none. I thought being from Avon Lake you would like to hear this. Britt Phillips dad who works for Sports Time Ohio has heard through sources that Braylon Edwards is homosexual. Edwards has also been seen around Avon Lake with another man frequently. I just think if players are homosexual they are doing their best to hide it.
Being labeled as homosexual can easily damage one's career. In male sports, if a person is labeled as gay, he is basically being called feminine. Since sports are all about being masculine, this would not be a good thing for that athlete.
ReplyDeleteI hate that they can't come out of the closet. I know it must be hard to have to keep a secret that big. I do agree that it will ruin their careers even though their sport "claims" that they would support them. I don't think that's the case. It's very sad but they way things are.
ReplyDeleteIt is all about the label. It is like that permanent tagline next to the athlete's name and career. I do not blame athletes for keeping any homosexual truths to themselves, because the reality is that during their careers, and maybe even entire lives, it is best to keep it a secret.
ReplyDeleteNot only would "coming out" affect the athlete, but it would affect his/her teammates, coaches, fans, communities, charitable involvement, etc. It is just the nature of the beast.
I too also believe if an athlete was to come out of the closet their career would be destroyed, unless it was a superstar athlete. It is sad, but gay athletes are just looked down upon in athletics. They are viewed as weak, and men view them as being feminine. I would not mind having a gay person on my team, because I know that just because I am a guy does not mean a gay man would be attracted to me, or at least I hope not.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to think of a single gay, lesbian, or bisexual athlete but you have written wonderfully on this topic.Good work!!
ReplyDeleteathletes career