Society today creates several stereotypes and claims to what is the norm that anyone outside of those lines are considered different and are not accepted. Unfortunately, we see something very similar to that in sports, more so men's sports. If am athlete acts in a way that is not masculine or is found to be homosexual, many teams are uncomfortable and are not as accepting. Even though they may have been playing with that teammate for years, they would feel uncomfortable and make it harder to grow as a team.
There have been several gay athletes throughout the years that have informed sports fans that they are homosexual; however, it was not until their career had ended did they player state that he was gay. It is obvious that many athletes are not as willing to play on a team with a homosexual member because it would create problems and lack of comfort to other players. If this were not the case, these men would have stated they were gay while they were playing their sport.
Along with teammates, I feel as though fans would not be as accepting either. Fans and sports- casters would use the athletes sexuality as a means to exploit and degrade the athlete during a game. If the player had a bad game or performed a bad play, it would be because of his sexuality.
It is sad that athletes and other homosexuals are not as willing to make people aware of the fact that they are different from the "norm". I think it is great to have a diverse group of people on a team, that is how the team grows and performs better with athletes of all backgrounds.
In the clip we watched in class, one of the players stated that they worst thing he could be called is gay. I know I have stated this before, but even if that person was or was not gay, he should still prove to society that he belongs in that sport and play to the best of his ability regardless of his sexual preference. It is amazing to me that people are so wrapped up in the lives of athletes and celebrities, that a simple thing as homosexual changes the perception of the athlete and his ability to perform on the court.
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In some ways it seems as if sport is among the most difficult places for a gay athlete to survive--perhaps even more than the church or the military. That is pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteAshley,
ReplyDeleteI agree with many of your opinions about gay athletes and how challenging it is for them to "come out" to the public. The media puts such a negative feeling on coming out and it's a shame that these players have to hide behind their own shadows.
I did one of my blogs on Corey Johnson and after reading yours I feel the same way. I mean I couldn't imagine someone on my hockey team coming out and saying he was openly gay. I feel like sport is probably one of the hardest places for a make to be openly gay, because in many sports, you have to prove your masculinity as a guy.
ReplyDeleteAshley, for one of my blogs, I wrote about a kid from my high school that when he came out, no one wanted to have anything to do with him. He was a very talented athlete that was well liked by everyone, but just because he was gay, many people turned their backs on him.
ReplyDeleteI think that is terrible that homosexuals do not feel safe enough to come out, and let people know how they truly are, but if the issue in my high school got blown up as big as it did, just imagine if a pro-athlete would come out?!!