Why Do We Need a Gay/Queer Sports Movement?


Hello,

As a minority we have come a long way in garnering acceptance and visibility. Although the scope of societal tolerance differs from region to region, even within countries, some tend to argue it is time to include ourselves within society's larger framework and dismantle exclusionist establishments and even organisations such as the Gay Games.

Lest I forget to do so, here is a short intro about myself; I am queer-identified Palestinian residing on the other side of the big pond. I work in the sports and medical fields respectively and I decided last year to end a prolonged injury-induced absence from (semi-)competitive training by joining a martial arts class.

Not too far ago I came out, very matter of factly, to two of my work out mates. The reaction has been respectful with no fuss whatsoever being made. Generally speaking I enjoy my bi-weekly tussle with the folk at the club and I have learned a lot by means of discipline, stamina and a positive mental outlook. Ironically, some of the men I work out with have become some of the best teachers I have had the chance to learn from regarding all the aforementioned and more.

As you might see, I do hold my work out mates in high regard.

Today I was unintentionally confronted by the question that if I/we truly want to integrate into society, why did I register at the Gay Games, i.e. why is there a sporting event that promotes exclusiveness instead of pushing for more acceptance within the greater sports community.

Admittedly, the questioner had a point.

I retorted that with the current state of sports being a overcommercialized circus, one hardly finds any deviant (I am using the word with the best of intentions) athletes who would want to rock the boat of cooperate sponsors, fearing the loss of contracts. This with a brief mention of Tom Waddell and the trouble he got into supporting the African American sportsmen during their brief, yet memorable protest in Mexico City.

Also, after being bashed by a martial artists myself during my teenage years, I can understand the fear many men have of not being able to stand up for yourself in case an admission, or even a near suspicion, should land you in a precarious situation. Team sport, much like a family, should offer a refuge for many a stark and unwelcoming reality athletes face in the “real world”. However, what can one do when the premier threat is posed not by some lunatic fringe, but by those who are supposed to hold your back?

Sometimes the coup de grace is delivered not by one who is aiming to score.

However, shouldn't we stand our ground more? Isn't the time for fear over, at least for those of us living in countries with a strong civil code protective of its citizens?

Why do we need the Gay Games? Is it a possibility to compensate for not being able to attend to your athletic needs your school or, thus cutting a possible career in sports?

How can one pack years of pain, fear even terror and the loneliness of admission into a sound bite?

Is there a need, as Larry Kramer once wrote, to become an object of desire, or is this strictly a main feature of the Gym bunnies?

Questions upon questions that I would like to discuss with those attending this forum.

Love,
K.

In short, it's like the combined effect Malcolm X and Martain Luther King together had on the civil rights movment. While they may appear to be at diametic ends of the spectrum, they both advance the cause as whole. Moreover, both are *needed* to move forward.

While gay folks have come a long way, the boat ain't reached equality-ville yet. Gays will fully be able to 'dismantle' their social infrastructures once homophobia has been dismantled. Things like the gay games draw larger attention to the fact there *are* gays in sports, and allow some gay people to follow what ever dream they have without fear. Converslly, people like Corey Johnson have a "narrower" impact on smaller group of people. Both adavnce the cause and pupose of the other.

The gay games exist (as do the zillions of local gay sports leagues) as an exclusionary entity not becuase we made an active choice to exclude straight people, but becuase we have made an active choice to be free of overt homophobia. While it is the job of the gay movement to educate others about discrimination, it is not our job to subject ourselves to it the meantime.

-sedition

Hello Sedition,

Thank you for your reply. I agree with your argument, however, wouldn't organizing within the already existent sports establishment creat a better scope for acceptance within the sports community?

Is there such a thing as an Gay Athletes Association/Union to protect the rights of Queer minorities within, say, the Olympics?

I understand the safety and security exclusionist clubs and events 'radiate' by being among those who reflect ones needs and aspirations. However, shouldn't move out of our comfort zones in order to get what we deserve?

Regards,
K.

The Gay Games are not exclusive -- they are open to everyone and straight people participate each time. Your co-workers would be as welcome as anyone.

The Games are a once-every-four-years event where gays and lesbians can openly compete and be themselves. A lot of these same athletes play in mainstream leagues or on company teams. But the Gay Games are a "safe haven" for people who might have to deal with prejudice back home should they be too open, and for people who simply want to be able to let their hair down w/o having to worry; for once, non-gay people are on our turf.

Every minority has always formed groups and associations. That's why we have a Congressional Black Caucus or a Hispanic Journalists Assn. and so on. Groups that have been marginalized can find a haven in these groups while also participating in the society at large. Same with the Gay Games.

And white men also have their own groups -- the U.S. Senate, House, and all coporate board rooms and virtually all positions of power.

Let me echo Jim's post: The Gay Games are NOT exclusive. Their intent is to include everyone. Participants have a variety of motivations to play, regardless of their orientation.

There are still a few gay sports organizations that are exclusive, though, and it is a shame. NAGAAA, the largest gay softball organization, has a "No more than 2 straight players per team" rule which is laughable. I know the rule originated after teams were accused of "stacking" their rosters to win trophies, but there are so many other rules in place now that orientation rules are silly. And ridiculous when you try to enforce them. NAGVA, the largest gay volleyball association has quietly dropped their obsolete gay rules with no ill effect. Sure teams stacked with straight players fare well at the events, but rarely do they win it all. It's actually fun to beat these teams.

I do think we've all heard about, if not played on, gay teams in a variety of sports that have had the satisfaction of excelling in straight leagues and tournaments as well. In my opinion, there's nothing better than beating straight guys in what they think is their game.

BUT, there is an amazing sense of camaraderie I find when playing in a gym full of gay and gay friendly athletes. Or marching into a sold out stadium of the same.

The gay sports movement probably means different things to different athletes. For some, just being able to participate in a world they once feared is the end goal. For some it's competing against athletes from around the world. For some folks like me, it's about doing something I love along with other folks that have had similar struggles.

If you're afraid of being perceived as exclusionary, kick some martial art arse in a gay event one week and a straight event the next week.

So true, on two totally different levels.

First, it is true for people who were essentially barred from playing sports when they were younger b/c they were gay. There is a kid on my (gay) softball team this year who had never stepped on a dimond prior to our first day of practice. On like our second or third practice had said something like, "This (softball) is making me really happy and sad at the same time. I am happy becuase it's a lot of fun to play, and sad becuase of all the years I missed out playing as kid. To think of all the fun I could have had if people wern't telling me I was fag, sucked at sports, and wasn't welcome." The tone he made that statement in was so full of pain, remorse, and contempt, but at the same time, had acute elements of joy, enlightenment, and...victory (over the pain, remorse, etc.). Prior to him saying that, it never really hit me how *important* the the whole glbt sports movement is. The effect on me was devistating. While I knew such was true for many people, I had never heard anyone articulate it with such emotion before. I suddenly realized there was a hell of lot more going on than *just* softball.

Second, it is true for people who were essentiall barred from bonding with teammats b/c they are gay. Hence, the queer sports movement allows for people who are / were involved in "straight" sports to related to team mates in the same manner that straight team maters realate to other straght team mates. Exaample: Person X plays sport Y. Person X is gay, and most of the other people on his team are not. Person X may or may not be in the closet. His team mates have normal conversation of about dating, ex-girldfriends, banging chicks and the such. Person X may not feel too comfortbale about authentically contributing to such conversations. Hence, on a gay team, s/he is "able to particpate in a world he once feared."

-sedition

I think that the support is what young athletes need in all parts of the world. When i came out i had only a few friends on my football team that i could talk to and the rest of the guys i kind of stayed away from. Sports is the thing that will force people to start and say on well so what if they are gay. just look at it like people once looked at race in America. Americans fallow the lead of sports in the way they live and look at life. i think that if the GLBTQA community came together to help inform teams, national organizations, and NHSF then it would be a start to understanding in american and in the world.