While in a friend's apartment last night to watch Will & Grace with some other friends, I saw a copy of "XY" on a coffee table. The major theme of the issue was "16" and since I sort of remember being 16 at some point in my life, I took a gander.

In the middle of the magazine or two pages dedicated to two guys competing in sports: one in basketball and the other, wrestling. Both of the young men had maybe two-three paragraphs to talk about themselves and their competitive desires in sports. Unfortunately, my mind is totally blank as to where the two athletes were from, how far they have(had?) progressed in their sports, and everything else of any quality.

But it's in "XY" magazine, so I might go pick up a copy from B&N (if I don't feel like a dirty ol' man for buying an issue). If anyone else has the issue, or gets a subscription, can you relate the info on these two young men?

I find it amazing that less than a decade after I graduated high school, with the fear of being called "fag" by anyone I knew, there are strong-willed young men out there who are not only open about being gay but also have the competitive desire to be active in sports.

So now there's that h.s. wrestler who had a bad experience in Pennsylvania (?), Corey Johnson, and now these two guys. Ahh, to be 16 again. (Not really)

SteveIN

Steve, great post! I really take heart that kids are better off nowadays than even a few years ago. Sure, there's a helluva lot of lousy behavior toward gays still. But I'm proud as punch of the 16-year-olds who are out and proud and playing high school sports. No, I don't want to go back, either, but there are times when I wished it had been better back in 1984 (old fart I am!) when I finished high school.

Corey is a great story. Here's a story that isn't so great but may be more common:

Mother sues after gay son's suicide

Also, did anyone know that our boy Corey is now a STAH!?

Mitchell Gold poster boy

He's so cute. Wouldn't you love to be "the one"?

Awesome to honor a gay kid in that best of American ways--with an endorsement deal! A better role model than any of a hundred rock stars, movie stars, sports stars or other luminaries. Go for it, Corey!

Speaking of coming out publicly, I revived this thread about Corey Johnson because another high school athlete stepped out of the closet ealier this month, senior Dan Bozzuto at Cheshire High School in rural/suburban Connecticut. The school's "diversity day" activities served as his opportunity to out himself to two auditoriums-full of his classmates, teammates and teachers. Their response was enthusiastic and affirming.

Bozzuto is captain of the cross-country, indoor and outdoor track teams, has excelled academically and been active in student government. Amazing kid. Here's the Waterbury (CT) Republican-American's story in reprint; the original isn't accessible on their Website. "Bozzuto was always respected by his teammates, but now the underclassmen look at him in awe."

There seems to be a trend.

[quote]Originally posted by bridgeportjake:
Corey is a great story. Here's a story that isn't so great but may be more common:

Mother sues after gay son's suicide

---

bridgeportjake refers to Marcus Wayman, a popular 18-year-old student and athlete at Minersville (PA) High School. After a cop quoted the Bible and threatened to out him and his friend to their families, he went home and shot himself through the head. Last fall, in a civil suit filed by Wayman's mother, the jury ruled that the officer's threats did not constitute an invasion of his privacy, therefore the town was not liable for his death.

Last week, a U.S. District Court judge overruled the jury and ordered a new trial. Here are reports from the Allentown Morning Call and from The Datalounge.

(Apology for the double post. Tardy research.)