Billy Bean, the out former professional baseball player, came to North Carolina this week and gave a speech at the Triad Business Guild in Greensboro last night, January 15. The Guild, a gay business and professional organization for Greensboro and Winston-Salem, NC, had one of the biggest turnouts in its history, almost 200 people attended, and Billy spoke for almost an hour. He was an excellent speaker, he was not slick and polished, instead he seemed sincere and honest in his 20 minute speech and almost 40 minutes of answering questions. You could have heard a pin drop when, in response to a question of regrets about coming out, he said he had few but his biggest regret was in not attending or even acknowledging the funeral of his first partner, Sam, for fear of being outed.

He said that his book has been picked up by Showtime and they are going to have a movie together by maybe late 2004. He didn't know who they were going for for the lead roll, although he had some ideas, but he wanted to be sure that the guy threw a baseball like a major-leaguer, not like a stereotype.

And he mentioned Outsports, he said that was an excellent forum for out former athletes like Cory Johnson, etc., to get out their message to gay high school and college players.

He was an impressive speaker and not bad in the looks department, either, the pic on his book isn't as good as the real thing. He also gave a speech to the Charlotte Business Guild earlier in the week.

It was wonderful for us out in the hinterlands to have someone of that stature come into the area, his speech stressed how our small steps in smaller communities were as important as his actions on the bigger stage. All in all an excellent and moving presentation.

Thanks for sharing that, bballrob....I look forward to seeing the Showtime movie next year -- as for who will play Billy (along with many of his Dodger/Padre/Tiger teammates, include former stud roomy Brad Ausmus) I'm sure we can come up with a few actors who are qualified -- both in terms of acting ability, looks and athletic acumen.

It looks like the Showtime is proving once again that they have some of the most progressive, "21st-century-thinking" execs in the entertainment industry.

Also, bballrob, if you have any more info to share from the Q&A session or Billy's speech, we'd love to hear it.

I just started reading the first few chapters of his book. I can't put it down - I keep relating to his life & feelings- (although NOT to his athletic ability, I'm sorry to say!) I feel the same way I did when I first read the NY Times article about Billy & when I saw him in the Advocate: "GOD, I LOVE THAT MAN!" :cool:

Here's an article about the Showtime movie that Bballrob mentioned:

[ January 20, 2004, 07:52 PM: Message edited by: Jim Allen ]

I got to meet Billy Bean in person this past month when he came to Cleveland for a book signing. It wasn't well publicized so it was small and intimate and and he took the time to talk to everyone and spent at least 5 mins with ME personally as he went from table to table. What a sincerely humble and sweet man. Very open and honest. And GOD WHAT A HOTTIE! He told me he is very pro-cop since his step dad is a retired police officer. I thought I died and went to heaven! wink

I've seen him and his partner around town here, but I know his partner better than I do him. They both are very down to earth.