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: First openly Gay Athlete U.S  ( 4510 )
hukk
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Later, Space Cowboy
« : February 24, 2014, 05:08:20 PM »
I just wanted to take the time to post here a little sports news.  To those who may not have heard, yesterday was a momentous day for American sports, and what I believe the (U.S) country as a whole. Jason Collins  became the first openly gay athlete ever in America's four major professional sports when he signed to play for the Brooklyn Nets. I for one welcome this day, and hope that he will help open the doors for other gay athletes to join the other major American sports.
Of course, there are some (including some co-workers of mines) who feel his presence will distract the team. That his presence will somehow send the message of weakness to opponents who view homosexuality as lacking in competitive fierceness in comparison to a heterosexual male athlete. To those who have such antiquated, rustic views I can only pray that watching this guy play on the court will slowly change their hearts concerning gay athletes. Much luck to you Jason Collins.



Oh, and the Brooklyn Nets was formerly a New Jersey team. We're still taking credit for this achievement!  ;D
Lover
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« #1 : February 25, 2014, 03:33:52 AM »
When we think about gay sportler, its obvious there have to be many. Though we say, were a world of tolerance, its still risky to out themselves. In germany, an ex- national player of the german football (soccer) team did his outing last year. But no active player ever did.

I appreciate each one doing it. Also i hope, many more will follow Jason Collins and the Brooklyn Nets
Momma_andrea
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Lady of the twin moons©
« #2 : February 25, 2014, 06:54:38 AM »
I just want to say this about that...

I don't care! I don't need to know!

It's his business, no one elses.  And wouldn't the world be a better place if we all stopped making judgments about things that don't concern us?

((steps off the soap box and wanders back into the crowd))

http://redandbrunettelesbian.tumblr.com
hukk
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Later, Space Cowboy
« #3 : February 25, 2014, 07:44:35 AM »
@ Lover
Lately more former players are coming out to reveal they are gay, though it was usually only a secret among the public and not teammates. Michael Sam -a college football player- is another figure who recently came out here in the U.S. Hopefully he gets drafted into the NFL.

@ Andrea

Well, a feedback is a feedback. He likely has the same sentiments. He probably just wants to play ball, help his team win, and not discuss anything concerning his sexual orientation (if he had a choice in the matter). I can't really agree to statement that this doesn't necessarily concern us. Sure, a 6 '8 black gay male basketball player isn't going to impact my life, when say I'm at work (maybe if I play b-ball with co-workers though, he could prove useful). But it's difficult not to get excited over an issue that reflects a growing social change in not only American sports, but in America as a whole on the issue of homosexuality.

For those people who wish to participate in sports but can only do so without divulging the fact that he or she is a gay/lesbian I would say this moment is as much 'their' moment as it is Jason Collins. Him being on that court will concern those pushing for gay equality, and a greater tolerance for gay athletes. It's something I'm sure he is aware of now, given the huge fanfare. And as a big time supporter of gay rights, I just felt it was necessary to announce it. Also because I like the Brooklyn Nets. 

Momma_andrea
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Lady of the twin moons©
« #4 : February 25, 2014, 08:53:33 AM »
You mistake my statement as being flipant and not caring, I think.
My point is his sexuality or anyone's should have no bearing on his sport or our perception of him in that sport.  You say this is a great thing that he came out, I say it will be a better thing when he doesn't NEED to.

http://redandbrunettelesbian.tumblr.com
hukk
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Later, Space Cowboy
« #5 : February 25, 2014, 11:17:41 AM »
Ah, well thanks for clarifying Andrea. One day hopefully, perhaps say 40 years down the road no one will blink an eye for their being a gay basketball player on the court, just like today no one bats an eye for black athletes playing in sports; to judge a person not based on the color of their skin, gender, or sexual orientation but on their achievements (or failures).

However it's something that can't be ignored right now. It's the pink elephant in the room, sort to speak. One day though.

FoxyRoxxy
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DESERT ROSE
« #6 : February 25, 2014, 11:49:05 AM »
I  agree with Andrea .  A athlete should  not be  judged  for his person life  but for there  athletic ability.       

                           LAUGHTER IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL
HisGirlOnly
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« #7 : March 02, 2014, 08:11:33 AM »
There have been many "Pink Elephants in the locker room"
It kinda makes you wonder how many there has to be before some people stop believing that they will be a distraction or that they will send a negative message to the fans. However I look to the future as many of us do with faith. Women and black athletes made it work. It's just a matter of time. Until then we must all show our continued support as best we can for our gay/ lesbian/ transgender and transvestite athletes.

Graham Ackerman b. 1983 American Gymnastics
Nicola Adams b. 1982 English Boxing
Marilyn Agliotti b. 1979 Dutch Field hockey
Jenny Allard b. ? American Softball
Kye Allums b. 1989 American Basketball
John Amaechi b. 1970 English Basketball
Eric Anderson b. 1968 American Coach
Nadine Angerer b. 1978 German Football
Alyson Annan b. 1973 Australian Field hockey
Judith Arndt b. 1976 German Cycling
Mianne Bagger b. 1966 Danish Golf
Clare Balding b. 1971 English Jockey
Jim Barnett 1924–2004 American Wrestling
Betty Baxterb. 1952Canadian Volleyball
Billy Beanb. 1964 American Baseball
Shelley Beattie1967–2008 American Bodybuilding
Kajsa Bergqvistb.1976 Swedish Track and field
Thomas Berlingb. 1979 Norwegian Football
Mark Bingham1970–2001 American Rugby
John Blankenstein1949–2006 Dutch Football
Brian Boitanob. 1963 American Figure Skating
Sabine Braunb. 1965 German Track and field
Belle Brockhoffb. 1993 Australian Snowboard
Steve Buckleyb. 1956 American Journalist
Anastasia Bucsisb. 1989 Canadian Speed Skating
Brendan Burke1988–2010 American Ice hockey
Glenn Burke1952–1995American Baseball
Balian Buschbaumb. 1980GermanTrack and field
Ivan Bussens1960–2007EnglishWater polo
Jeffrey Buttleb. 1982CanadianFigure skating
Latasha Byearsb. 1973AmericanBasketball
J. P. Calderonb. 1975AmericanVolleyball
Liz Carmoucheb. 1984AmericanMixed martial arts
Betty Carstairs1900–1993 English Power boat racing
Parinya Charoenpholb. 1981 Thai Boxing
Jason Collinsb. 1978 American Basketball
Natalie Cookb. 1975 Australian Beach volleyball
Roberta Cowellb. 1918 British Motor Racing
Gottfried von Cramm1909–1976GermanTennis
Scott Cranhamb. 1954CanadianDiver
Toller Cranstonb. 1949CanadianFigure skating
Orlando Cruzb. 1981Puerto-RicanBoxing
John Curry1949–1994 English Figure skating
Donal Óg Cusackb. 1977 Irish Hurling
Tom Daleyb. 1994 English Diving
Steven Daviesb. 1986 English Cricket
Wade Davidb. 1977American American football
Casey Dellacquab. 1985 Australian Tennis
Carlien Dirkse van den Heuvelb. 1987DutchField hockey
Michael Dos Santonb. 1983 Brazilian Volleyball
Robert Doverb. 1956 American Equestrian
Nancy Droletb. 1973 Canadian Hockey
Michelle Duffb. 1939 Canadian Motorcycle racing
Michelle Dumaresqb. 1971CanadianMountain biking
Imke Duplitzerb. 1976GermanFencing
Justin Fashanu1961–1998EnglishFootball
Freda du Faur1882–1935AustralianMountaineering
Gigi Fernándezb. 1964Puerto-RicanTennis
Amini Fonuab. 1989Tongan/New Zealand Swimming
Fallon Foxb. 1975/76AmericanMixed martial arts
Travon Freeb. ?American Basketball
Edward Galb. 1970DutchEquestrian
Rudy Galindob. 1969 American Figure skating
Vicky Galindob. 1983 American Softball
Ed Gallagher1958–2005 American American football
Melanie Garside-Wightb. 1979 English  Football
Terry Garvin?-1999 Canadian Wrestling
Jane Geddesb. 1960 American Golf
Alan Gendreaub. 1989 American American football
Jessie Godderzb. 1980 American Bodybuilding
Bobby Goldsmith 1946–1983 Australian Swimming
Andrew Goldstein b. 1983 American Lacrosse
LZ Granderson b. 1972 American Journalist
Brittney Griner b. 1990 American Basketball
Emile Griffith b. 1938 American Boxing
Joan Guetschow b. 1966 American Biathlon
Peter Häggström b. 1976 Swedish Track and field
Matthew Hall b. 1970 Canadian Figure skating
Gro Hammerseng b. 1980 Norwegian Handball
Kyle Hawkins b. 1970 American Lacrosse
Kwame Harris b. 1982 American American football
Bruce Hayes b. 1963 American Swimming
Sandra Haynie b. 1943American Golf
Mathew Helm b. 1980 Australian Diving
Isabell Herlovsen b. 1988 Norwegian Football
Thomas Hitzlsperger b. 1982 German Football
Edel Therese Hoiseth b. 1966 Norwegian Speed skating
Ursula Holl b. 1982 German Football
Erika Holst b. 1979 Swedish Ice hockey
Mia Hundvin b. 1977 Norwegian Handball
Anton Hysén b. 1990 Swedish Football
Helen Jacobs 1908–1997 American Tennis
Angela James b. 1964 Canadian Hockey
Patrick Jeffrey b. 1965 American Diving
Dorte Dalum Jensen b. 1978 Danish Football
Barbara Jezeršek b. 1986 Slovenian Cross-country skiing
Gus Johnston b. 1979 Australian Field hockey
Rosie Jones b. 1959 American Golf
Steffi Jones b. 1972 American-German Football
Orlando Jordan b. 1974 American Wrestling
Natasha Kai b. 1983 American Football
Chris Kanyon 1970–2010 American Wrestling
Dane The Fame b.? Latin American / Puertorican Wrestling
Peter Karlsson 1966–1995 Swedish Ice hockey
Johan Kenkhuis b. 1980 Dutch Swimming
Sanne van Kerkhof b. 1987 Dutch Short track speed skating
Billie Jean King b. 1943 American Tennis
Ilana Kloss b. 1956 American Tennis
Dominik Koll b. 1984 Austrian Swimming
David Kopay b. 1942 American American football
Daniel Kowalski b. 1975 Australian Swimming
Andreas Krieger b. 1966 German Track and field
Kim Lammers b. 1981 Dutch Field hockey
Jessica Landström b. 1984 Swedish Football
Lauren Lappin b. 1984 American Softball
Mark Leduc 1962–2009 Canadian Boxing
Hedvig Lindahl b. 1983 Swedish Football
Ylva Lindberg b. 1976 Swedish Ice hockey
Lori Lindsey b. 1980 American Football
Ari-Pekka Liukkonen b. 1989 Finnish Swimming
Joanna Lohman b. 1982 American Football
Greg Louganis b. 1960 American Diving
Hana Mandlíková b. 1962 Czech Tennis
Brian Marshall b. 1965 Canadian High jump
Christy Martin b. 1968 American Boxing
Amélie Mauresmo b. 1979 French Tennis
Robert McCall 1958–1991 Canadian Figure skating
Ray McDonald 1944–1993 American American football
Lindsy McLean b. 1938 American American football
Linda Medalen b. 1965 Norwegian Football
Conner Mertens b. 1994/1995 American American football
Harriet Metcalf b. 1958 American Rowing
Hans Peter Minderhoud b. 1973 Dutch Equestrian
Matthew Mitcham b. 1988 Australian Diving
Chris Morgan b. 1973 English Powerlifting
Jim Morris b. 1935 American Bodybuilding
Chris Mosier b. 1980 American Triathlete
Nadine Müller b. 1985 German Discus Throwing
Martina Navratilova b. 1956 Czech-American Tennis
Ondrej Nepela 1951–1989 Slovakian Figure skating
Robert Newton b. 1981 English Track and field
Bente Nordby b. 1974 Norwegian Football
Scott Norton b. 1982 American Bowling
Diana Nyad b. 1949 American Swimming
Katja Nyberg b. 1979 Swedish Handball
Graeme Obree b. 1965 Scottish Cycling
Ryan O'Meara b. 1984 American Ice dancing
Brian Orser b. 1961 Canadian Figure skating
Nigel Owens b. 1971 Welsh Rugby
Dave Pallone b. 1951 American Baseball
Bob Paris b. 1959 American Bodybuilding
Sandy Parker b. 1952 Canadian Wrestling
Lily Parr 1905–1978 English Football
Anja Pärson b. 1981 Swedish Downhill Skiing
Pat Patterson b. 1941 Canadian Wrestling
Maartje Paumen b. 1985 Dutch Field hockey
Lee Pearson b. 1974 English Equestrian
Otto Peltzer 1900–1970 German Track and field
Mike Penner 1957–2009 American Journalist
Beate Peters b. 1959 German Track and field
David Pichler b. 1968 American Diving
Aslie Pitter b. 1960 English Football
Brian Pockar 1959–1992 Canadian Figure skating
Hope Powell b. 1966 English Football
Megan Rapinoe b. 1985 American Football
Lisa Raymond b. 1973 American Tennis
Stephen Rhodes b. 1984 American Race driving
Renée Richards b. 1934 American Tennis
Ian Roberts b. 1965 Australian Rugby league
Ronald Robertson 1937–2000 American Figure skating
Petra Rossner b. 1966 German Cycling
Olivier Rouyer b. 1955 French Football
Robbie Rogers b. 1987 American Football
Matthew Rush b. 1972 American Bodybuilding
Jaiyah Saelua b. 1988 Samoan Football
Michael Sam b. 1990 American American football
Victoria Sandell Svensson b. 1977 Swedish Football
Lianne Sanderson b. 1988 English Football
Erik Schinegger b. 1948 Austrian Downhill Skiing
Patty Sheehan b. 1956 American Golf
Will Sheridan b. 1985 American Basketball
Eudy Simelane 1977–2008 South African Football
Roy Simmons b. 1956 American American football
Brian Sims b. 1978 American American football
Blake Skjellerup b. 1985 New Zealander Short track speed skating
Vibeke Skofterud b. 1980 Norwegian Cross country skiing
Jerry Smith 1943–1986 American American football
Judy Sowinski 1940–2011 American Roller derby
Muffin Spencer-Devlin b. 1953 American Golf
Helen Stephens 1918 - 1994 American Track and field
Casey Stoney b. 1982 English Football
Rennae Stubbs b. 1971 Australian Tennis
Pia Sundhage b. 1960 Swedish Football
Sheryl Swoopes b. 1971 American Basketball
Stacy Sykora b. 1977 American Volleyball
Blyth Tait b. 1961 New Zealander Equestrian
David Testo b. 1981 American Football
Ina-Yoko Teutenberg b. 1974 German Cyclist
Mark Tewksbury b. 1968 Canadian Swimming
Carole Thate b. 1971 Dutch Field hockey
Gareth Thomas b. 1974 Welsh Rugby
Bill Tilden 1893–1953 American Tennis
Ted Tinling 1910–1990 English Tennis
Esera Tuaolo b. 1968 American American football
Marcus Urban b. 1971 German Football
Sarah Vaillancourt b. 1985 Canadian Ice hockey
Michele Van Gorp b. 1977 American Basketball
Dan Veatch b. 1965 American Swimming
Mike Verschuur b. 1987 Dutch Automobile racing
Lisa-Marie Vizaniari b. 1971 Australian Track and field; Boxing
Tom Waddell 1937–1987 American Decathlon; Creator of the Gay Games.
Louisa Wall b. 1972 New Zealander Rugby
Ji Wallace b. 1977 Australian Gymnastics
Sarah Walsh b. 1983 Australian Football
Jeffrey Wammes b. 1987 Dutch Gymnastics
Ann Wauters b. 1980 Belgian Basketball
Johnny Weir b. 1984 American Figure skating
Rick Welts b. 1953 American Basketball executive
Peter Wherrett 1936–2009 Australian Automobile racing
Diane Whipple 1968–2001 American Lacrosse
Sue Wicks b. 1966 American Basketball
Marieke Wijsman b. 1975 Dutch Speed skating
David Wilson b. ? Canadian Figure skating
Chris Witty b. 1975 American Speed Skating
Andrea Worrall b. 1977 Welsh Football
Ireen Wüst b. 1986 Dutch Speed skating
Alissa Wykes b. 1967 American American football
Darren Young b. 1983 American Wrestling
Cyd Zeigler, Jr.b. 1973 American Journalist
Sharnee Zoll-Norman b. 1986 American Basketball



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