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Gay Sportsmen - 8/18/2007 9:34:35 AM

NorthernGent

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'Don't know how it is over there, but over here we have nigh on 7,000 professional footballers, plus loads of other sportsmen/women from various sports. 'Thing is, not one of those 7,000 professional footballers is openly gay. Any ideas why?

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RE: Gay Sportsmen - 8/18/2007 9:44:53 AM

Politesub53

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Prejudice NG...... Football is seen as a hetrosexual sport, rightly or wrongly. I suspect many of todays starts wonder if openly admitting to being gay may affect any sponsorship deals, just as gays in the police didn`t used to admit it. The only big name player i can ever recall admitting to being gay was Justin Fashanu who sadly commited suicide.

That said, why should anyone have to tell the world their sexuality, gay or otherwise ?
Frankly it`s none of our business.

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RE: Gay Sportsmen - 8/18/2007 11:09:37 AM

FangsNfeet

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If you're not the one getting fucked, then it's none of your business. Not to mention, if you're a quater back, reciver, or running back, you'll never hear the end of "Smear the Queer." Think of all the jokes a Wide Reciever or Tight End would would have to endure if openly gay to everyone.

Between all the bonding, hugs, slapping each other on the ass, and having there balls grabed for physicals, I figure the vas majority of football players are atleast bi curious.

Sadly, telling sports illustrated and ESPN that your gay druing an interview is not a good PR move. When you make it to the Pro's, just enjoy the game, the nudity in the showers, and the money. After cashing in, you can then open your own gay sports bar.

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RE: Gay Sportsmen - 8/18/2007 11:11:41 AM

NorthernGent

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Fair enough, but why is not a good PR move?

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RE: Gay Sportsmen - 8/18/2007 11:18:17 AM

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Here's a link to a story by, and about, John Amaechi. He played pro basketball for several years, and after retiring, came out.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=espnmag/amaechi

Wikipedia link on Glenn Burke; he played pro baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland A's:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Burke

Esera Tuaolo, played for the Green Bay Packers:

http://espn.go.com/magazine/vol5no23tuaolo.html

It's a tough row to hoe, being gay and in sports, I imagine.

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RE: Gay Sportsmen - 8/18/2007 12:06:25 PM

FangsNfeet

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quote:

ORIGINAL: NorthernGent

Fair enough, but why is not a good PR move?

By comming out, you open yourself up to whole new can of worms. Here are two of those worms.

1. A Pro comming out automaticly becomes a figure / hero to the gay community. You take on the extra pressure representing how homosexuals are just as good if not better than everyone else on the field. The expectations of your performances change. Look at the struggles African Americans had to endure when they first started to play sports. Before Hank Arron broke the HR record, he was faced with "You have to do this for US." It was not "Be the new guy to have a record." It was "Be the first Black Man to have the record" Clarence Thomas is apart of the US Supreme Court. Who cares that he's black? For some reason the media did. After all, the news title read "Clarence Thomas, First African American Judge in the Supreme Court." Who is in sports to represent there Race or Sexual Preference? It's not about them but they don't see it that way. Where ever you come from, your group or community will say "When one for us." Just because you're gay, what should make every step you take on the field more important than every play you make if no one never knew you where gay? Just as sports is not about race versus race, it's also not about homo versus hedro. It's team versus team and that's all there is to it.

2. When you come out, you learn who your real friends are. Teammates or not, lines will be drawn with tension. What different reactions would you get the first time some one droped the soap in the shower room? Who will continue to spot you in the weight room? Isolation can be tough.

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RE: Gay Sportsmen - 8/18/2007 12:09:28 PM

pahunkboy

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why do football players constantly pat eachother azz?

if a football payer was openlpy gay- he would loose product endorements. [$]

even tho many people are living in 2007, one of the republican prez candidates STILL wants a marriage ammendment!! im like- get over it!! the middle class is dying out- and you are worried about how a relationship is defined????? if such amendment happens- ild like to write it. I would specifcy= a person can be married once in their life. only once. if someone is on their 4th widfe- which vows did he actually mean?

but here again- its a diversion tactic.

a buddy of mine is a mechaninc and gay. he claims no one wants a f--- working on their car- they would refuse to do business w him. i dont think my area- it would play out that way- but he lives in the bible belt.

as a culture men are resistent to touch. American men do not touch. a hug- had better be at an airport or some function so as to not look gay.

during my work life- i never came out at work- my position was/is--im here to do a job. performing my jonb duties is the only relevent matter. i seldom mixed work and personal life.
same goes with neighbors- dont ask -dont tell. what goes on in my bedrrom is private.

while i keep a low profile- i wont be blackmailed into a compromising situation over it.[sexual orientation]
alot of closeted guys can be blackmailed- thier fear is justified. a bunch of arrests at the park- 3 guys lost their jobs! this was before a verdict was decided. the charge alone- was enuff to let them go.

im outa my league here- but the park thing isnt all too different then "parking"- it is an old traditon.

one thing i hate is when a person "demands" to "know" then doesnt like what they hear.
often the biggest holier then thou type have BIG skelotons in their own closet! [albiet-not gay]

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RE: Gay Sportsmen - 8/18/2007 12:23:43 PM

seeksfemslave

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One of the Fashenu brothers "came out" didnt he and had a "hard" time as a result.

I suggest the English football team sets the standard for equal opportunity selection policies.

A chinaman a blackman a whiteman a woman a blindman a one legged man a no legged man three dwarfs one of each sex and uncle tom cobley in goal.

I can see it now, unbeatable that lot.

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