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Readers Speak Out
Reactions to Piazza Story From
All Viewpoints
An Ex-Player's Son: It Can Be Hard
As a son of a former Dodgers player, I
think it'd be great if more athletes had the courage to step out of
the closet. I mean, I know it's not easy, even for me at times it
can be a bit "awkward". But that has to do with the way part of
society reacts to the issue. And since sports are largely dominated
by "insecure", and sometimes "ignorant" so called "heterosexual men"
it makes it hard for those on the softer side if you know what I
mean.
Anyway, I find it interesting all the
talk about the Mets and stuff, there should be a way to encourage
these players to just do it. But what will save them from being
harassed? That's the problem, there is no guarantee on that one. I'd
like to commend any athlete who has had the guts to publicly
announce their homosexuality. Congratulations to Outsports.com for
being there, focused on the subject.
R. M. Mota
My Experience Was Positive
As a gay athlete (soccer/swimming in
high school, where I swam side-by-side with the fastest man ever in
the water and my sexuality couldn't have mattered less, and Division
I cheerleading in college) I've had what seems like the abnormal,
very positive experience in regard to disclosing my sexuality.
Nevertheless, I was incredibly touched by
Marcos Breton's article in the Sacramento Bee. It was actually
sent to me by a straight friend--one of the guys I swam with before
and throughout high school. I guess it's just comforting to
know that most of our educated countrymen sympathize with the gay
athlete experience.
P.S. Piazza will always wear the Dodger blue in my mind ... he's one
of those heroes I grew up with; Strange how heroes can fall so fast
huh?
David Knebel
None of Anybody's Business
I don't think it's any of the media's
business if person is gay or not gay. I have very close friends that
are gay and I love 'em all. I have been a big fan of Piazza as long
as i can remember. I don't think its fair that media has to stick
its nose into someone's life just for a story. I will continue to
support Piazza as a fan, no matter how much the media is badgering
him about his sexuality.
Evelyn O'Rourke
Easier Said Than Done
Randy Boyd's opinion [on Billy Bean] is indicative of guys who
live in an insulated microcosm. By that, I mean they live in areas
where it's relatively easy to live an openly homosexual lifestyle. I
live in Atlanta and I hear guys talk about if, they were a
politician or a pro athlete, they would bust out of the closet and
make a powerful gay statement. You know, that's easier said than
done. Those people that make those declarations are not politicians
nor are they pro athletes.
When it comes to pro athletes, I don't think these newly empowered
gay guys really think about what it takes to get to the pro level.
In coming out, there maybe something to be gained personally, but
there is a lot to be lost professionally. What it really boils down
to, is, the gay community has a tabloid mentality. We don't care how
good an athlete is, we just want to know who is gay and who isn't.
Is it validation or is it fuel for our fantasies? Boyd's opinion
doesn't sound too qualified. After all, this is the guy who's
writings were included in "Buttmen" and Buttmen 2. Not to mention,
the other insightful readings into sports.
Todd Cain
Bean Had Guts
Regarding Randy Boyd's column on Billy
Bean:
#1. To bring up the conflict in the Middle East and TRY to relate it
to homosexuality in team sports is just ABSOLUTELY ridiculous! Of
course sports is a distraction. So is outsports.com and some of its
editorial staff, i.e. Mr.. Boyd (That's you).
#2. Mr. Bean has played professional and team sports. He knows
first-hand what is said in the lockerrooms and boardrooms across
America. If you do not want to hear his opinion or thoughts then
don't listen to him.
You may not like what he's saying but Billy is speaking from
experience. I wish he would say "Sure, Come out it will be no
problem." For now, Billy is the closest thing that many of us have
for a role model.
Unfortunately, the media is having a field day with this. I work in
the sports industry and I know for a FACT that there are Hall of
Famer homosexual players in the NFL, the NHL, and MLB (past and
present). The media knows it too but they just sensationalize it
instead of saying, "Grow up America! They are already playing and
you are paying to see them play and cheering for them right now."
I would LOVE for one, or all, of them to come out but they don't
have the balls that Billy does. I would love to point to those gay
players and tell my nieces and nephews (and maybe someday my own
children), "See that guy who got the game winning goal? He's gay."
and they will respond, "Yeah, so what?"
For now, the image most people still think of when referring to
'gays' is the "Annual Gay Pride Parade" on their local news showing
steroid-filled muscle queens and "Village People" look-a-likes
prancing up and down a purple painted Fifth Avenue. Those people are
NOT my role models!
Slowly things are changing. Until then, I say we circle the wagons
and support the many points of view out there. Especially the ones
that aren't afraid to make their opinions known.
I like Billy Bean. Hopefully, someday, more players will come out.
Chris
``Politcally Correct Goose-Stepping''
As an openly gay man myself, I have to
take serious exception to
[Jim Buzinski's] criticism of Wallace Matthew's article at
www.sportsjournalists.com. This is the kind of Politically Correct
goose-stepping that has stalked the movement and impeded progress
for years.
Matthew says repeatedly that if this were a mature society, a person
would not be criticized for their sexual preference. He also
compares a possible future openly gay player to Jackie
Robinson--hardly a slight in my book. He decries outing. The fact
is, a person was accused of hiding their sexual orientation. That's
still outing, any way you look at it.
I'd be pretty vexed if newspapers went around saying I was really
straight and sleeping with women. Guys would be afraid to get into a
relationship with me for fear I was really straight and using them
to bolster my gay sexual identity. Friends and acquaintances would
wonder if I was really on the level about who I am and why I'm not
mature enough to be open about it. Being accused of being something
you're not sucks, and being put in the position where people infer
you are a bigot just because you want to set the record straight is
disgusting.
Matthew's real crime is that he didn't agree with the P.C.
slant--the opinion that the first player to come out will be given
wine and roses, a public ceremony where the President will hand him
the Congressional Medal of Honor, and Wheaties will demand a picture
of him draped in a rainbow flag. Matthew NEVER says a player should
NOT come out in the article.
You yourself said that no one knows for sure what the actual
reaction of the fans and the players will be, so how could you dare
to vilify a man for his own predictions.
Lastly, Matthew says no one should be pushed into having to be that
first player to came out. I agree. This is war and war is hell.
Instead of painting a rosy picture to find a sucker who will buckle
when the heat is on, we should wait patiently for a hero who is
willing to face pain and adversity to fight for what is right, and
with the moral strength to withstand the scrutiny that is sure to
focus. Let's make sure our first example is Jackie Robinson, not
David Dinkins.
Glenn Dewar
May 31, 2002
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