Hollywood Did, Now Isn’t It Time For Pro-Athletes To Come Out?
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After many decades of actors and actresses who are in the limelight choosing to remain closeted for fear that they will no longer be cast in non-gay roles, the past ten years have seen a considerable shift in the numbers that are choosing to go public with their sexuality. And Hollywood has not disappointed, by embracing the ones that do, as is evident when non-gay actors take lead gay roles, and out actors and actresses being cast in straight roles. The entire community has embraced their fellow colleagues with many gay-friendly straight actors being at the forefront of the equality movement. So why has the sports community not followed?
Throughout history, most pro-athletes have chosen to come out after they retire, such as David Kopay of the NFL, Bob Paris who won the Mr. America and Mr. Universe bodybuilding titles. It seems more accepted for pro female athletes to come out than males though, perhaps because of the assumption that most of them are anyway. And we have had some successful coming out stories such as Martina, Amelie Mauresmo, & Sheryl Swoopes, as well as some highly publicized “outings” of some such as Billie Jean King. Historically, Europe has also been a lot more accepting than the U.S. about the issue. Yet the number remains too low if we take the general assumption that 5-10% of the population is gay.
This article will center about women’s sports, with a follow-up about men’s sports to come later.
In the consumerist business of sports, and with women’s sports struggling to bring in close to the amount of money men’s leagues bring in, could it be that coming out is actually regulated?
Take the WNBA for instance. I had the fortune of meeting a WNBA player (closeted of course) on holiday with her girlfriend, and one of the most pressing questions I had to ask her –after analyzing all the teams’ chances for next season- is exactly how many women in the “W” are gay. The answer? According to her, close to 70-75%! So why is it then that less than a handful has acknowledged that publicly? Could it be due to regulation by the league? A league, that while celebrating its 15th season this year, is still the baby-sister of the NBA struggling to keep teams from getting defunct and fighting to have more sponsors and expansion teams.
I contemplated that while watching the last season and was appalled at how quickly the commentators would mention that so and so player is a mother and took the last year off to give birth to her child, and so and so (straight) player got married during the off-season. Yet no mention of any partners, civil unions, etc.
I guess my question is: what would it take for more athletes to come out? Is it public support from spectators voicing their acceptance? Human rights groups encouraging them to do so with the rise in bullying and suicide incidents with youth who could see some of these athletes as role models?
Could we have an Ellen set the trend?
Contributed by Keeks
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