Back in 1999, when Billy Bean had first come out (and Outsports was just a twinkle in Jim & Cyd's eyes ), I established a "Yahoo club" to recognize and discuss his and other openly gay athletes' achievements. As the years went by, the online group stayed in place, but my interest in updating and promoting it declined, especially as I became involved in the Outsports community.

Recently, a high school student athlete in Tennessee whose handle is "Joey Wilson Jr" has enlivened the board again with fresh enthusiasm. As a moderator, Joey has added new content and new links, and most importantly has been actively promoting other folks' recognition of and interest in the gay sports world.

I know that he would be delighted if Outsports members were to visit and join his Yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thebillybeansportsclub . Although he's understandably still closeted, Joey is already demonstrating great, healthy self-awareness and self-respect as a young gay athlete. I should mention that, although reads Outsports, Joey has chosen not to participate in the discussion board for the time being. Please respect his decision.

Thanks you guys, and thanks, Joey!

Thanks, indeed, Joey! I can't remember how I stumbled across the Billy Bean Yahoo group, but I signed up right away.

By the way, Bean's book, "Going the Other Way" (great title) is now available on Amazon. I, for one, am looking forward to the book tour. (I met Bean briefly once at a New York Times-sponsored event here in San Francisco, and, seriously, he could not have been nicer or more well-spoken. And a total dreamboat to boot.)

I just joined today.