Fighting Homophobia in Sports

Today, the sports world is still a struggle for gays. While studies show that society’s perspective is evolving-approval of same sex marriage has gone from 11% in 1988 to 46% in 2010-there is still a perception that homosexuality and sports do not mix. In  fact, more often than not, homosexuality is ignored in sports. Yet there are a few athletes that are taking grand steps to change that.

Brendon Ayanbadejo, a linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, and Matt Jarvis, a professional European soccer player, have both stepped up to advocate for gay rights and are fighting homophobia in sports.

Ayanbadejo joined Athlete Ally, a program designed to challenge homophobia in sports through athletes speaking to management, coaches, and players. Ayanbadejo stated, “Athlete Ally is about respect and ensuring people the opportunity to be themselves. There’s nothing more fundamental than that when it comes to football.”

Jarvis, a married and well known soccer player, stood up for gay rights by posing on the cover of Attitude, the best-selling gay magazine in Britain. He discussed the fear that a gay footballer would have and yet affirmed that there would be a large amount of support for anyone that did come out.

Hopefully, this is just the beginning of athletes taking a stand for equal human rights. Read more from the full article on Ayabbadejo in Outsports, Or learn more about Jarvis from The Independent, in the full article here.

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Brian Burke Interviewed Regarding Gay Athletes

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Brain Burke, the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, gives a great interview about homophobia in sports.  His son, Brendan, who was gay, was killed in a car accident.  Burke’s other son, Patrick, has spearheaded the You Can Play campaign as part of Brendan’s legacy.   The video campaign features hockey players telling young gay players that if they can play, they can play – the goal is to keep gay players from dropping out of team sports.

One quote I like is “Much of what gay athletes experience is habitual, not hateful,” and that education and culture change can make a huge difference.

The interview is long, 25 minutes, but well worth it.

Celebratory Soccer Kiss – Its Ok to Be Gay!

I saw this posted on Out Sports site this week.  What a great picture!  It reminds me that a picture truly is worth a thousand words.

Soccer fans are passionate about their sport, and all around the world, the players are adored.  Unfortunately, there is a lot of homophobia that persists among some of those fans, players and soccer executives.  This 2006 poster from Germany asks, “Would you also beat up your favorite player for this?”

Joshua Dixon Makes Olympic Trials

 

I wrote yesterday about out gymnast, Joshua Dixon was a strong contender to make the Olympic trials later this month.  Well, he made it!  According to Outsports, he finished 13th overall this weekend at the Visa Championships.  The trials will be in San Jose, CA June 28-July 1.  Dixon told the magazine:

 I’ve always dreamed of being one of the top gymnasts in the country. Now that I’m in that group, it’s a tremendous honor.

Best of luck!

 

Openly Gay Gymnast Joshua Dixon Looking Toward Olympic Trails

I have always enjoyed individual sports over team sports.  Maybe its because I like the more personal focus it allows, or maybe because my ADHD doesn’t let me focus on too many people at once.  Whatever the reason, swimming, track and field, MMA, gymnastics… those are some of my favorites to watch.

That’s why I look forward to to the Olympics.  For a few weeks, I get to watch the best athletes in the world competing in sports I don’t usually get to see on a regular basis.  One of my favorite sports to watch is gymnastics.  I think I am drawn to watch things that are out of my reach, and gymnastics embodies that perfectly.  I am not all that strong, I am not very fast, I am clumsy, and I am deathly afraid of heights.  Watching a gymnast fly through the air or perform some amazing feat of strength and balance fills me with awe.

I read an article a few weeks ago about Joshua Dixon.  He is a Stanford grad with hopes of making the Olympic team this year.  What was striking was the universal positive reception he got from his teammates as well as the gymnastics community when he came out.  The world is certainly changing.  Joshua Dixon is not a gay athlete, he’s an athlete that is gay.   If he does make the team, it would make him the first openly gay Olympic gymnast for the US.

Check out these clips of his skills at the 2012 Visa Championships happening this weekend.  Dixon finished fifth in the vault and high bars, and he tied for seventh in the floor exercise after the first day.  He’s an amazing athlete – I hope he makes the team and shows the world what an out athlete can do!

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