Another former professional sports player has come out. NBA player John Amaechi is soon to publish a book on his experiences in the League. He is the first basketball player to announce that he is gay, but he follows in the footsteps of a handful of other male and female sports stars.We're a little bit unsure of how to deal with this new information. On the one hand, we're bored by hearing about how "hard it is in the locker room," and we're not convinced there's anything brave out of trying to get some post-career publicity out of your sexuality. The way these ex-athletes are always presented is a bit like a freak show. If only it wasn't a big scandal, or they could come out with a "so what?" attitude, rather than a "WHERE'S MY BOOK DEAL?" one.
On the other hand, it's tough to come out of the closet, and everything that breaks any kind of stereotype, whether it be about gays or athletes, is good.
It's all very confusing. Much like professional sports in general. Which is why this is officially the longest post we have ever written about them.
5 comments:
I agree with your sentiment; every time I hear about someone coming out after they retire, it feels like little to celebrate- the 8th athlete to come out after retiring obviously will pale in comparison to the first to come out during his career (talking the three major leagues here).
That said, he is the first basketball player to do so, and basketball is a sport that has strong appeal to the young, urban black population, a population in which it is nearly impossible to come out. If this encourages one more kid to be proud, or one more kid not to punch a kid "because he's gay," or one person to talk to a doctor about disease when previously he was on the "down low," then it's a step in the right direction.
You can check out the John Amaechi "Man in the Middle" book at Amazon here:
http://tinyurl.com/yuoe4v
P.S. The book is coming out February 20th so it's available for preorder.h
If the link above doesn't work, try these:
http://tinyurl.com/yuoe4v
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933060190?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwmymobi-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1933060190
Which male tennis player did you have in mind?
Is bald knob single?
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