Gay Athletes

Ok, so I'm 21, I'm gay, and I'm a hockey goalie. I've played since I was 10 and I find it to be one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life. I'm having a hard time having conversations with people who equate gay athletes as either legitimate athletes or see us simply as such a marginalized population that it doesn't amount to anything.

Why do you think it is that there are not more openly gay athletes, or why do you think that people don't take gay athletes seriously?

Although this thread is on the wrong board...here's a link you might enjoy.
LINK

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lol I love how people are in a panice because this is on the wrong board

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What I find funnier than the hullabaloo is that there are 380+ views on this thread and only 6 replies. Now THAT's funny.

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YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO DO? You need to read the script or see a production of the 2003 Tony Award-winning play "Take Me Out" directed by Joe Mantello. That'll answer billions of questions, and create a billion more.

Several several several issues arrise when considering gay athletes. And there is no cookie-cutter correct answer. "Coming-Out" stories are just as unique as "Coming-of-Age" stories.

Some of the concerns, however, can include a wide combination of any one of these things:

- Just like the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the armed forces, bringing up something that is to remain unspoken can damage or break team morale/comradery.

- Loss of masculinity, image, sex appeal, fanship

- If it compromises the team, loss of contract

- In America, atheletes are the heros of millions of little boys. The deconstruction of a "hero" by giving him a "fault" can be as deadly as Achille's Heel. Too much realism in a sport that is meant to take spectators away.

- Potential endangerment of athelete through retaliation.

- The list is endless.