Blog done by Trent Ringle
Yesterday in class, we spoke about homosexuality and
how on the male side of professional sports men are not coming out of the closet
until after their careers are over. As our society is evolving so is the
awareness that not all professional athletes are heterosexual. If an athlete
wants his teammates to know he is gay then he will tell them, however the
consequences of allowing them to know could be devastating. Many of the
athletes or public figures who have later in their careers come out and
announced they were homosexual have said they choose not to come out because of
they were fearful of how others would view them. Former NFL player Esera Tuaolo
who after his career admitted he was gay talks about the tough road he had to
take to keep his life a secret from his teammates. Tuaolo states “I really
think my career would have ended quickly… I probably would have got hurt out
there” (Former nfl player). From a players standpoint this is a strong
statement to make I cannot understand the feelings that could be going through
Tuaolo’s head if his secret got out.
I have personally known someone who has had to keep
their sexuality behind closed doors. A friend of mine who I went to high school
with and played sports with recently came out. In high school, no one knew he
was gay, my friend was in a relationship with a female for almost three years.
It was not until after high school he decided to tell his friends and family
that he was gay. The only reason I bring it up is what happen when he told his
family, for the most part his parents and siblings had no problem with it. The
one person that did and meant the most to my friend was his grandmother she
openly disowned my friend and told him she did not want to see him again until
he changed his life. I cannot for the life of me understand how a person can
disown his or her own family member just for being gay. If a person’s family
cannot stand to be around that individual how is a teammate going to react in the
similar situation. I understand why people are choosing not to come out and
truly believe that athletes will not be able to openly admitting they are gay
anytime in the near future. Will there ever be a time when our society accepts
those who come out of the closet? For the person who does come out and publicly
admits they are gay will they face any consequences when participating in their
sport?
Former nfl player speaks out on being
gay.
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=125632&page=1
I never really understood why gay people took so much criticism for their lifestyle. Honestly, everybody has secrets that would categorize them as different, weird, or strange. I give gay people a lot of credibility for coming out. It is a brave and noble thing that should not have to be secretive. For the question we were asked in class about who would it take in order to break the gay barrier in sports. I do not think that it would take just one person, but more of a mass to come out in public. Considering the ratio of gays in America to professional sports it is inevitable that there are some playing. They should not have to hide it. I do believe that it is getting easier to come out but still not to a comfortable standard. For example, for the longest time the military did not accept gays but in the past year it has been revoked. As the outside society looking in, we think it would be easy to come out. However, when on the team I am sure it is a different story. Slowly but surely it will be more and more acceptable.
ReplyDelete-Nathan Latta
For the team aspect especially in the big three sports for men, I agree with Nathan. It will take more than one person to come out and share their true story. I think that if one person comes out maybe the team that he is on will accept it. But for the most part in today's society it is not accepted still. Also in class someone said that it would take a person that everyone likes to come out and say they are gay for it to change. As for me I would highly disagree with that statement. Take Tim Tebow for example. Most people bash him for his skills that he brings to the table. If he opened up and said he was gay then how many people would believe in him and trust him then? I think it would take a super star that has all the skills and one of the best players to do it. Because if that person still is the best and gay then there is no argument. They would still be the best and people would still like them for part of the game. And as for the story that Trent shared about his friend I would believe it to be very hard for that kid. I knew a kid in high school as well that was gay. And he didn't come out until after high school. I couldn't imagine what he would have went through in high school if he came out. People just are not finding it acceptable but I hope to agree with Nathan when he states "Slowly but surely it will be more and more acceptable" because I just don't see it in the near future.
ReplyDeleteComment by Kane Godfrey
I think this blog has raised some really good points. I too think that it will take more than just one man to come out and say they are openly gay. I think that if just one man came out alone, it would be hard for him to handle all of the negative comments and publicity. If a group of athletes shared that they were openly gay, I think it would be a bit easier for each of them because they would be going through it together. Although, I don't think it would be easy by any means.
ReplyDeleteAnother point that really caught my attention in this blog was when Trent said his friends grandmother refused to accept him. I don't think people make the choice whether they want to be gay or straight, but rather they are born with that mentality. I think that more people are beginning to accept gays in our society, yet I I do not see any professional athletes becoming openly gay anytime soon.
Heather Cox
It is really unfortunate that someone's grandmother would disown their own family and blood. It is sad and heartless of a person to do that. I think gays are noble and brave for coming out, just like Nathan said. I am not sure what to believe on the "born" or "choice" issue but regardless, a person shouldn't have to be secretive on something with that type of magnitude. No one should live in fear of what others might think, say, or do, based on someone's sexual preference.
ReplyDeleteI think that acceptance of gays is without a doubt increasing, and an awareness is also increasing. But, I think that the sports world will take more time to accept it. I agree that it will take a number of athletes to come out instead of one person taking all the heat.
Mike Harrington
I am really half and half with what everyone is saying. I understand what you all are saying that it will take more than one person to come out to change the outlook and I don't argue that entirely. I think it will take more than one person, it will take quite a few in fact, unless there is one person that is the ultimate all star such as another Michael Jordan type player. Just think, we compare everyone to Michael Jordan. What if another player equally as dominant in his sport comes along but is openly gay. It may take a while for people to warm up but once people start to like him for his play and like him for what he may do around the community, they will start to warm up and love the guy. That brings up my last point, if someone does come along to make this revolution in sport, I feel it needs to be a male because for one male sports are more mainstream and are marketed much better. Also in women's sports if a player is dominant it is almost naturally assumed she is like a man and/or lesbian. Men is sports are expected to be masculine and heterosexual. Those are just my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteComment by Jared King.
Something in society needs to change. We should not be so worried about the effects of how we are. People need to learn and mature and realize that it is more common then they think and just accept people for who they actually are. Society needs to stop judging people and quit making them feel uncomfortable because they are still human beings just like us. One should not have to keep his or her sexuality behind closed doors because they are afraid of society's reaction. Who are we to judge? Nobody should judge because there is something different with everyone and that is what makes all of unique. I feel sorry for everyone that feels like they have to keep it to themselves and hope that one day society has progressed enough that people do not have to worry about the effects or reactions of coming out.
ReplyDeleteComment by Nick Daverio