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| Out gay athletes can expect support, as well as contempt, from teammates |
It is 2012 and there is not a single openly gay athlete in America's "Big Five" sports leagues: the NFL, the NBA, MLB, the NHL or MLS. Why? How have homosexuals managed to make major strides other aspects of society, including politics, religion, and the arts, but face a brick wall in pro sports? And while an increasing number of athletes have come out over the years, in sports ranging from diving to golf, no one has taken that first brave step in our biggest sports leagues. If we can safely assume there are pro athletes who are gay, why have they not come out? It is also important to note that reactions from straight pro athletes about homosexuals in pro sports has ranged from contempt to support. In 2007, former NBA guard Tim Hardaway brashly announced tha he hates gay people, while NFL linebacker Scott Fujita has been a steadfast and vocal supporter of gay rights. Still, the fact remains that no pro athlete has chosen to come out. What is your explanation? What do you think the first out athlete can expect once he makes his announcement? Finally, would you support an openly gay pro athlete?
Include at least two of the following in your discussion:
- "The Last Taboo: Openly Gay Pro Athletes in Major US Sports" (Salon)
- "Out of the Locker Room: We Need an Out Gay Pro Athlete" (Good)
- "When Will a Gay Pro Athlete Finally Come Out? (New York Magazine)
- "Where Are The Gay Professional Athletes" (Huffington Post)
Required:
- MLA Style
- Must be exactly two-full pages in length
Due: Mo 2.6
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