Tuesday (Feb. 28), 8pm, at the Gay & Lesbian Center in NYC, I'm gonna be a on a panel discussion about gays and sports in the media. We'll be talking about, among other things, Johnny Weir. Come on by if you can. Here's the info:

NLGJA panel on \"Jocks & Journalism\"

Tuesday, Feb. 28 @ 8 p.m.
TEAM PLAYERS: A GLBT Panel Discussion on Jocks and Journalism

LGBT Community Center
208 W. 13th St.
Manhattan

How gay were the Olympics? Why is there still a "Don't Ask-Don't Tell" policy for athletes (and reporters) in the locker room? To what extent is it easier for female athletes to come out? How do gay writers handle the rough-and-tumble world of sports journalism? Who will win the Gay Games vs. Outgames battle? And when is that gay baseball player finally going to come out?

Join a discussion with a panel of sports journalists to discuss the state of sports, gays and gay sports. Panelists scheduled to appear include: Porter Binks, associate picture editor, Sports Illustrated Melissa Murphy, sports reporter, Associated Press Jason Page, talk show host, Sirius Satellite Radio Dan Woog, author of "Jocks" and high school varsity soccer coach Cyd Zeigler, co-founder of Outsports.com and commissioner of the New York Gay Football League

Here's my question...is it really a big deal? I mean, sure the first time an athlete in one of the big major sports comes out of the closet, it'll be one of the biggest stories of the year! But once that's all done with, it'll be a non-issue. I don't see a need for an athlete to have to come out publically and say, "Hi, I'm so and so, and I'm gay." Sure it's inspirational to other gay athletes around the world, but being gay doesn't change who you are as an athlete. Mark Tewksbury should be remembered as an Olympic Gold Medalist not as "that gay swimmer".

It boggles my mind how people are so interested in knowing if this athlete is gay, or how can that athlete not be gay just look at what he's wearing and how's acting.

They're regular people like just they sleep with people of the same sex.

Maybe I'm totally off-track in this mini rant but that's how I see it.

So often people come to this board and post somethng on the order of "I can't believe there are people like me, who are gay but are into sports." And when it comes from gay athletes themselves, especially younger kids...that's reason enough for me to make a big deal of any pro athlete who comes out.