So, John Amaechi has came out of the closet. I do not see the big deal in this. I’m not gay, nor do I have any gay friends, so I guess I wouldn’t personally know the true impact of having famous people come out of the closet.
Homosexuality is becoming more and more accepted as time goes on. There is at least one gay person in almost every field now a days. NFL: Esera Tuaolo, MLB: Glenn Burke, LPGA: Rosie Jones, Women’s Tennis: Martina Navratilova, anyways, you get the point.
I guess the ‘coming out’ of Amaechi is a big step for the gay community, but I have to wonder what Amaechi’s intentions were for coming out. Is it just a coincidence that he has a book coming out on Wednesday about his life?… I think not.
1 Comment
February 13, 2007 at 12:55 am
Allison-
You are probably right to question Amaechi’s motives for telling the public he’s gay given that he has a book coming out. However, your list of examples of gay athletes in professional sports shares a common theme that I feel a need to point out. Each of the men you reference retired from sports before coming out of the closet.
I believe Amaechi’s decision to admit his sexuality has just as much to do with a fear of being ostracized by the other players in the lockerroom as it does with his financial concerns today.
It remains that no man active in either of the four major pro sports has come out during his career.
It seems to be more culturally permissable to be homosexual in women’s sports, where women come out during their careers semi-frequently. The reigning Wimbledon champion, Amelie Mauresmo, is also an acknowledged lesbian.
I would sooner take Navratilova as a mixed doubles partner, though.
-Mac