Canadian women's hockey star comes out

*SIGH* Another woman. Not that there's anything wrong with that but, frankly, "Woman Athlete Is Lesbian" hardly rates as news to me. It's like a headline saying "Most Waiters In West Hollywood Are Gay", it's almost a given.

Where's the men coming out? Where oh where???



But of course, it's another small step and she's to be applauded for coming out. We need to make sure Jim and Cyd add her to the "Out Athletes" list here.

Sadly, you're right, Jim Allen - but she's one more to come out without resulting violence nor shame on her part. Not to be ignored: She still has a job, and most likely she'll get a good amount of press.

It's definitely a step in that the news, by now, is all over the world.

There does not exist the critical mass of celebrity gays (regardless of the industry) living out of the closet, and there is not the understanding yet in our society to have men come out without ridicule, danger to life and limb, possible hits on partners and/or family members.....the list goes on and on.

Still, we must fight every day to survive until that glorious and relieving future, and to preserve our dignity in a world that perpetually harasses, threatens and violates our LGBT-male dignity on every front - every single day.

I gotta agree with Jim too. Sadly, it really isn't much of a headline when a woman athlete comes out, especially when it's in a "macho" sport like hockey or basketball. Yes, a positive event, but one that passes without much notice.

I don't know if that would be true for all women athletes, though. It would be a big deal if, say, someone like Sarah Hughes or Michelle Kwan came out, super-femmey women in a very high-profile sport who are adored and idolized by little girls all over the world. Mind you, I know Michelle Kwan isn't gay and doubt Sarah Hughes is, but it would make for a helluva headline.

You guys are right on target. [Sigh.]

Some male athlete in one of the major American team sports (football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey)--or be forced out. If the Cowboys players view themselves on "Hard Knocks" carefully enough, several (hint, hint) will realize that they've already begun a process they should just carry forward. The door is already cracked....

"I thought he might be gay..." paraphrase of WR Randall Williams' mother on Episode 1 or 2.

Fantasy: Maybe James Blake will just declare, after winning the U.S. Open, that's he's not only a proud Black man, but a gay one as well.

[quote]Originally posted by fantomas:
If the Cowboys players view themselves on "Hard Knocks" carefully enough, several (hint, hint) will realize that they've already begun a process they should just carry forward. The door is already cracked....
.

---

Fantomas - please explain?

It's been over a year since I saw the article, so I may have details mixed up, but didn't Drolet come out in a Hockey News story a good while back? I'll admit to being a bad hockey fan in that I didn't pay much attention to individuals in the Canadian womens' program, but I could swear I read an article about her, her life partner, and the child they were raising together.

[quote]Originally posted by copman:

Fantomas - please explain?

---

A few of the guys on "Hard Knocks" are flaming, while some others just set off my gaydar. I do understand that there are femme straight men, and that all men may demonstrate at times--especially when they're totally unselfconscious--behavior that would challenge traditional views of masculinity, but a few of the guys on "Hard Knocks" are pushing the limit.

For example, the star rookie Roy Williams (is that his name?). Randall Williams' mother said she was worried he was "gay" (her exact word) when he was younger, but I wonder if anyone has let Roy know that if isn't already, he ought to be a member of the gay team? His mannerisms, mode of speaking, his statements, etc., are setting off all the bells. I mean, he could be straight, but....

So perhaps when they see themselves, some of them will say--oh wow, I really wasn't paying attention to the rolling camera, I was so unselfconscious, and one aspect of my unguarded self was evident: I'm homosexual.