Putting sports aside for a moment, masculinity is something that is preached and taught to a man since diapers. So the stereotype of being rough and tough and mean is already established in a boys mind. So when it comes to the sports world especially in the "real man" sports like basketball and football then being that rough and tough and mean masculine man is expected more so required. So coming back to my topic, when your gay then that totally changes up what is the "norm" and it messes up what is expected of you, so it turn it causes problems.
Back in the day, of course, homosexuality wasn't excepted by no one or very few people. In the locker room, every person was expected to be straight that was like the default and if they weren't they better play it off really well because if the team found out then all hell would break loose. Now a days, I mean there is still homophobia but this newer generation that is coming into sports they are seeming to be more open-minded and they quite frankly don't care what another persons lifestyle is. Its like nobody cares anymore, when does someones sexual orientation ever affect the way they can play a sport? Never.
A story came out back in January about a San Fransisco 49er corner back named Chris Culliver who made a statement that ..."gays would never be welcomed in the locker room" during an interview. He later apologized for his comments and said that those feelings aren't truly in his heart and he was talking from his head.
There are also athletes that are joining together with the LGBT community to create and fight for equality. Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo is just one of many athletes that support gay rights and is fighting for equality in professional sports. Stating in a USA op-ed "There are many reasons why no gay athlete has come out in the NFL, NBA, NHL or MLB, most are likely to go away with the support and acceptance of the straight community". Chris Kluwe is another strong supporter of gay rights. He states that "I stand with Brendon and every other person, athlete and non-athlete alike, who says that discrimination in any form is not the legacy we will hand down to our children".
Its support like this that will hopefully expedite the process of getting equality in gay sports.
With the newer generation stepping in and saying that we support and accept gay athletes, it will open many doors for equality in not only the professional sports world but the "regular" world as well.
Citations
Lee, Tony. "49ers Player Apologizes for Anti-Gay Comments." Breitbart. N.p., 30 Jan. 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Sports/2013/01/30/Culliver-Niners-Apology.
Terkel, Amanda . "Brendon Ayanbadejo Calls For End To Homophobia In Pro Sports." Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. N.p., 6 Feb. 2013. Web. 22 Apr. 2013. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/06/brendon-ayanbadejo-gay-rights-usa-today_n_2631729.html.
~Latipha Cross
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