Anti-Gay Jock Tells It Straight May 1: The average football player has the guts to step on a field and risk losing a spleen to Ray Lewis. Your everyday basketball player will take one for the team by taking a charge from Shaquille O'Neal. The typical baseball player will stay in the batter's box and face chin music from Roger Clemens rather than retreat. And who's afraid of a puck traveling at 100 miles per hour? Not hockey players. But put any of them in the locker room shower with someone who's gay, and watch them run. When it comes to men's team sports, bravado does have limits, after all. By suiting up, a "real man" routinely ignores the possibility of intense physical pain, bodily harm or life in a wheelchair. That same "real man" will feel very threatened, however, should one of his teammates, after announcing he's homosexual, ask for the soap.

[NOTE: This is Denver Post Interview Where Jones made Anti-Gay Remarks] Broadway Portrayal of Homosexual Ballplayer Runs Counter to Reality April 27: In the few first seconds of the most controversial new play on Broadway, a young, handsome and cocky major-league baseball superstar casually and unashamedly mentions to the media and his teammates that he is gay. His talents are so god-like, his life to date so charmed and insulated from hatred and it never occurs to him to care what anyone else might think about that. Art, in this case, certainly does not imitate life. In the entire history of the four major American team sports, not one player has come out as homosexual while collecting paychecks and banking endorsements. Colorado Rockies pitcher Todd Jones, a 6-foot, 3-inch pitcher from Marietta, Ga., said an openly gay player would create a hostile locker room environment, and that opposing pitchers would likely throw intentionally at his head. "I wouldn't want a gay guy being around me," Jones said. "It's got nothing to do with me being scared. That's the problem: All these people say he's got all these rights. Yeah, he's got rights or whatever, but he shouldn't walk around proud. It's like he's rubbing it in our face. 'See me, hear me roar.' We're not trying to be close-minded, but then again, why be confrontational when you don't really have to be?"

Rockies Call Jones' Comments About Gays 'Unfortunate' April 29: The Colorado Rockies criticized reliever Todd Jones' recent anti-gay remarks on Tuesday night, saying they were ''unfortunate'' and did not reflect the team's views. On the Rockies team's Web site, it sais, that the team does not share Jones' views, opinions, or attitudes. ''As an organization and part of this community, we are committed to providing an environment for our employees and fans that is free of discrimination and prejudice regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national orientation, age, disability, or status as a veteran,'' team president Keli McGregor said in the statement. May 28: "Colorado Rockies Club Statement Regarding Jones' Anti-Gay Comments"

Rockies Pitcher Apologizes to his Team, but Stands Behind Anti-Gay Comments May 1: Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Todd Jones apologized to the organization and his teammates for his recent anti-gay remarks, but did not apologize for the comments themselves that included the sentiment that he "wouldn't want a gay guy being around me." "I think my only mistake was that I made my views public," said Jones, who was teary-eyed at times during his brief statement. "And for that, I apologize to the Rockies and I apologize to my teammates for putting them through this." ~ Two News Articles ~

OutSports Columns on Billy Bean *Out With the Out Guy: Why Billy Bean Is a Lousy Spokesman Billy Bean became "a qualified expert" by default when came out of the closet, after his short-lived baseball career, and to my knowledge, has never had anything positive to say about the prospect of someone being same-gender loving in the world of sports. His negative demeanor on the topic doesn't just cover the prospect of someone being an active player and openly gay. *Bean Did Right Thing Marginal Players Replaced Why is Billy Bean so pessimistic? Why does he think it would be "professional suicide," in his words, for a major league baseball player to come out as gay? Because we all view everything through the prism of our of own life experiences and it would have been professional suicide for a marginal, journeymen outfielder to have come out as gay in the late `80s or early `90s. Read Both OutSports Columns.

'I'm Not Homophobic I Just Won't Work With Them' Player Says May 8: Colorado Rockies reliever Todd Jones said in a Denver Post interview, gays should not be allowed to play in the major leagues Jones is "standing by what I said." "They say I should be released. They say I should be fined. They say they will protest the Rockies. They think I'm a gay-hater, a narrow minded redneck from Alabama who ain't never been nowhere. Jones then accuses gays of attempting to squelch free speech. "Why is our society so worried about what is politically correct nowadays? I'm not a gay-hater. I couldn't care less if you're gay. For people to treat this like it's a witch hunt, to crucify the Neanderthal redneck baseball player for stating his opinions on a sensitive issue, scares me.

News ~ "I'm Not Gay" ~ Baseball ~ Basketball ~ Football ~ Tennis  Wrestling ~ Gay Games VI ~ Mark Bingham ~ OutSports ~ GaySports

Piazza Feels Complled to Say He's Hetrosexual Responding to a gossip column on that referred to "a persistent rumor around town" about a gay star player for the Mets, Mike Piazza felt compelled to hold an impromptu news conference on the field at Veterans Stadium to discuss his sexuality. Where Piazza says "He Ain't Gay"

Piazza Denies Rumor as Gay Player Issue Resurfaces A gossip column in New York Post repeated what it called "a persistent rumor around town that one Mets star who spends a lot of time with pretty models in clubs is actually gay and has started to think about declaring his sexual orientation." But, the only Mets star who declared anything was Mike Piazza, and he said, "I'm not gay. I'm heterosexual." For a ballplayer to acknowledge otherwise, would be committing professional suicide.

Male Manager of Women's Football Team Quits After Lesbian Affairs The male manager of a top women's football team has quit because he says lesbian affairs have destroyed their team spirit. Barney Davidson, a former Leicester City player, has walked out on Gretna women's football team after five years. "Out of 17 players I would say about eight are lesbian or have boyfriends as well. Some of them would deny it but I know because I have been involved with the team for so long." "Gays Remain Outcasts in Sports" Op~Ed By Ryan Thorburn The calender will soon read 2003. But when it comes to tolerance for gay people, it seems more like it's the Stone Ages in the sports world.

Navratilova Takes On Anti-Lesbian Tennis Dad An attack on lesbians in pro tennis prompted Martina Navratilova to launch her own volley on the weekend. Navratilova labeled notorious tennis dad Damir Dokic "stupid" over comments that he would kill himself if his daughter "became a lesbian." But, at the opening of a Gold Coast tennis tournament Navratilova questioned how the elder Dokec came by his statistics. "Does he know a lot about that?" asked the tennis great. "That's a pretty stupid comment to make - that his sense of worth as a father is whether your daughter is a lesbian or not," Navratilova said. "If that's the most important thing to him then I really feel sorry for him." Tennis Star's Dad Lashes Out At Lesbian Players The father of Serbian tennis star Jelena Dokic says he would kill himself if his daughter "became a lesbian." In a tirade against lesbian tennis players, Damir Dokic said "More than 40 per cent of women in world tennis are lesbians. I couldn't stand it if Jelena turned out to be one of them. I'd kill myself." A spokesperson for the Lawn Tennis Association refused to condemn the elder Dokic's views saying only "We do not want to get involved with what Mr Dokic has said." Jelena, who now lives in England, has also remained silent.

GaySports.com, Your New Home for Gay & Lesbian Sports! Menu Directory & Site Search Sports ~ Outdoors ~ Fitness ~ Recreation ~ Games/Olympics ~ Communities ~ Baseball ~ Basketball Football ~ Golf ~ Gymnastics ~ Ice Hockey ~ Rugby ~ Soccer ~ Softball ~ Swimming & Diving Tennis ~ Volleyball ~ Water Polo ~ Click Here ~ Sports Contents Links ~ Sports Stories & News, Sports Events, Sports Highlights, Sports Photo Galleries ~

49ers' Hearst Retreats From Gay Slur San Francisco 49ers running back Garrison Hearst back-pedaled from anti-gay remarks he made three weeks ago before finally apologizing on. The comments were part of an interview with Hearst, shortly after former NFL player Esera Tuaolo acknowledged that he is gay. "I don't want any faggots on my team," Hearst said, when asked about his feelings about the potential for having a gay teammate. "I know this might not be what people want to hear, but that's a punk. I don't want any faggots in this locker room." Hearst Apologizes for Comments About Homosexual Players A day after Garrison Heart's derogatory remarks about gays became widely known, the San Francisco 49ers running back apologized in an emotional 45-second statement. This followed a meeting with Mariucci and York, during which Hearst sought forgiveness. 49er's G.M. Donahue: Anti-gay Comments Insensitive General Manager Terry Donahue tried to distance the 49ers from recent anti-gay remarks by Garrison Hearst, he described Hearst's comments as insensitive and inappropriate. Donahue saud, "I don't think it's reflective of the attitude of the organization,'' he added "In this kind of environment, you are trying to survive and win each week and trying to get by, and we don't need to become embroiled in a social issue. It's unfortunate those comments were made and it was insensitive.'' Anti-Defamation League Condemns Anti-Gay Comment From 49er The ADL condemned the anti-gay comments made by San Francisco 49ers running back Garrison Hearst. The ADL's Regional Director Jonathan Bernstein said the homophobic comments "remind all of us that there are still many in society with bigoted viewpoints. This is especially troubling when it comes from someone who is admired by youngsters."

Sol Denies Gay Rumors England star Sol Campbell dismissed rumours suggesting he is gay, claiming he is just shy. The defender has had to endure death threats and Judas taunts since his controversial transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal 18 months ago, but, also stories claiming he is a closet homosexual. He said he had now had enough of the slurs because they were affecting his family. "Their lies don't really hurt me, but when it starts affecting my family that's when it moves on to a different level." I want my family name back for my mother and father. Dispelling these lies means a hell of a lot to me," he said.

Olympic Swimmer Thorpe Sets Record Straight, He's Not Gay Olympic swimming superstar Ian Thorpe set to become a gay hero after rebutting rumours he is homosexual. During a radio interview, the Australian swimming star denied that he is gay, saying the rumors are "flattering." The 20-year-old Olympic gold medalist attributed the gay rumors to behavior that people don't associate with the stereotypical Australian man, like attending fashion shows and designing pearl jewelry. "You know I'm a little bit different to what most people would consider being an Australian male, that doesn't make me gay," Ian said. But he added: "It's the most flattering thing that anyone can ever say because if someone wants to label you or claim you as part of a minority group, it means you must have some strength in your character or in what you do." Ian Thorpe Official Site: www.ianthorpe.telstra.com.au/.

Rendezvous in Montréal for 2006 Gay Games You thought the Sydney 2002 Gay Games were big. Organisers of 2006 Gay Games in Montréal are anticipating as many as 24,000 sporting and cultural event participants for their event, and up to 250,000 non participating tourists. Montréal is well placed to attract a large number of people in 2006, being a Northern Hemisphere, bilingual city one hour's flight from New York City. Organisers say that Montréal has the facilities to cater for 24,000 participants and government support for the event was already forthcoming. "We have an agreement with the federal government for $1m and the Quebec government for $1m," Perrier said. "The City of Montréal is also providing venues and services up to a value of $1m as well.

911 Hero's Mom Gay Games IV Guest of Honor Organisers of the Gay Games closing ceremony were not aware Alice Hoglan, Mother of 911 Hero Mark Bingham's, would helpe to present the Tom Waddell awards until the morning of the ceremony itself. Alice's reception at ceremony was a standing ovation moved her deeply. "I was stunned," she says."It's an awesome experience for me to be able to gaze out over all those loving faces and absorb the energy and spirit of the crowd." "I'm very proud that the gay community has embraced Mark," she says. "Mark was proud to be a gay man, and he was the first to come to the fore to defend a cause or speak out or fight against oppression. He was a champion of the underdog but at the same time he knew how to party and have a good time and get in there and bust heads and compete. He fits right in here with the GLBT community."

Esera Tuaolo Has Just Begun Nov 13: Never before has the phrase "Save Our Children" had such a warm ring to it. That was the war cry of Anita Bryant, in Dade County, Florida in 1977 when she led a successful crusade to repeal a gay rights ordinance there. Fast forward 25 years. Enter another person who, just like Anita, has a beautiful singing voice, a gay husband (but in this case not an "ex-gay"). But this time, it's former football player Esera Tuaolo. And this time, it's saving the children from the likes of Anita Bryant.

Gay Ex-Falcon Comes Out, But is He Famous Enough to Change Anything? Op~Ed by Jay Croft Atlanta Journal-Constitution Gay folks are always hoping celebrities will come out of the closet publicly. We get downright giddy about a glamorous, male athlete doing so because -- well, because it's never really happened before. And because big-time sports appears so homophobic. And because it would break a lot of stereotoypes about masculinity and homosexuality.

"Gays as Lockerroom Predators: A Bogus Issue" Op~Ed. by Bill Konigsberg "The issue of gays in sports is certainly an intriguing one," I say. "One of the things some professional athletes say they worry about is showering with a gay man. I can understand the concern, but there's really not much to worry about. I've been in hundreds of locker rooms, as a reporter and otherwise. And I've only had sex in about 20 of them." One of the best Op~Ed's, I have read to date since Esera Tuaolo's coming out on HBO's Real Sports.See TBC's news coverage of Esera's coming out reaction from the news media and from other professional athletes, click here.

Former NFL player Esera Tuaolo Comes Out, Says NFL is Not Ready for Gays Nov 1: On too many desperate nights in a life of lies as a gay player in the NFL, Esera Tuaolo drank himself to sleep, hoping he wouldn't wake up. At times when he sped away from nightclubs, hating the pretense, thinking as he drove crazily at 100 mph he could end his torment just by turning the wheel. Those days are over, now that he's come out.

Gay Games Organizers Minimize Financial Woes Nov 1: With tens of thousands of athletes and spectators filing into Sydney for Saturday's opening ceremonies of Gay Games VI, the organization that hosts the event is facing a serious cash crunch.

Gay Games VI 2002 Resources Links to Sydney2002, main website for the Gay Games VI and 365Gay.Com's special section on the Gay Games. Includes: Sports Events Results, Gay Games TV, Meet the Teams, Gay Games History and much more interesting information. ~ Click Here ~ Out Sports Outstanding Coverage of Gay Games IV The Games Begin Daily News Notes, Results for Events and Each Day in Pictures.  ~ Click Here ~

Transsexual Competes Twice in Gay Games Nov 6: Transgender ice hockey athlete Jamie McCulloch competed twice on Monday in the Gay Games once as part of the Boston men's hockey team, and a second time as part of the women's team. Transgender Athlete Competes in Men's and Women's Events Nov 5: Ice hockey athlete Jamie McCulloch is one of a handful of transgender athletes at the Sydney-hosted Gay Games VI who have found themselves in the middle of a tussle against whom they should be competing men or women.

Dykes on Bikes Get Gay Games Off to Fiery Start Nov 4: The 2002 Gay Games got off to a spectacular start in Sydney. Opening ceremony featured Dykes on Bikes, a motorcycle stunt team of 40 lesbians, who performed against a backdrop of fireworks.

Op~Ed. "Grow Up, Accept Gay Players" [By Greg Cote Miami Herald] Nov 4: Come out of closet? NFL should first pull its head out of the sand. Feel free to join the rest of us in the 21st Century. It really isn't such a bad place to be, once you get used to it. Greg's Dear NFL Player, letter is excellent and a must read for sure.

It's a G'Day For San Diego's Gay Athletes Oct 29: 200 San Diegans, including 40 members of Front Runners, a local gay running club, and 25 members of Different Strokes Swim Team, who will be competing in swimming, diving, water polo and triathlon events.

Gay Games VI 2002 News Articles Nov 2, 2002: *kd lang Serenaded at Gay Games. Canadian songstress kd lang's was blown away by her birthday present at the Gay Games opening ceremony - a crowd rendition of `Happy Birthday'. *Kylie to Open Gay Games. One of pop music's biggest gay icons is expected to appear at Sydney 2002 International Gay Games opening ceremony. *Crowds Flock to Gay Opener. Thousands of spectators are arriving at Sydney's Aussie Stadium for the opening ceremony of the 2002 International Gay Games. ~ Read Articles ~

I Stand Alone at the Gay Games Oct 27: Yasir Sami an Iraqi rugby player talks about wanting to participate in the Gay Games in Sydney in an interesting interview. Gay Games Gonorrhoea Warning: Drug Resistant Strains Common in Sydney Oct 25: Gonorrhoea and syphilis have reached epidemic proportions among gay men in Australia, leading epidemiologist Dr Andrew Grulich told the Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM) in Sydney this week.

Mixed Reviews For Tuaolo Coming Out Oct 30: HBO aired Esera Tuaolo's coming out interview and it sent a rush of testosterone through the NFL as players lined up to denounce gays on the gridiron.

No More Hiding Oct 30: Former NFL Player Esera Tuaolo comes out, says "I Feel Wonderful". Read OutSports comprehensive coverage and a lot of background material about the life Esera Tuaolo and reactions to his coming out as a gay man. *I Wanted to Be Happy *He Would Have Been Hated *You Don't Have to Run Any More *A Director's Tale: How Joe Somodi Helped Esera Tuaolo Go Public *Players React to Esers Tuaolo Coming Out ~ Read OutSports.Com Articles ~

Gay and Lesbian Pro Athletes Create Their Own Identity! A new worldwide association has been developed to represent gay and lesbian professional athletes. Gay & Lesbian Professional Athletes Association (GLPAA) is a not-for-profit association dedicated to change in professional sport. Click on banner for GLPAA's Website.

Former NFL Player Dave Kopay: Still Going Strong For more than 25 years, Dave Kopay has been fighting the good fight on behalf of gay rights and shows no signs of slowing down. Kopay spent nine years in the NFL as a running back and special teams with San Francisco, New Orleans, Washington, Detroit and  Green Bay. He is also recovering from a total left hip replacement this summer to relieve agonizing pain he endured the past four years. But Kopay, 60, is still very opinionated and a forceful advocate for gay rights. Kopay, whose 1977 coming-out autobiography "The David Kopay Story" was a New York Times bestseller and is in its fifth printing, can wax forcefully on a variety of topics, with anger, empathy, bluntness and humor. He can bounce from Herman Hesse to Jerry Falwell to Brett Favre without missing a beat. Some of Kopay's unvarnished observations:

A Former NFL Lineman Comes Out Oct 24: Esera Tuaolo will become one of the rarest of breeds, an out ex-professional athlete. He will reveal he is gay during a segment on HBO's "Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel" on October 29th. Tuaolo, a defensive lineman for four NFL teams in his nine year career, most notably with the Minnesota Vikings.

Wrestlers Going to the Mat For Gay Rights? Not Exactly Sept 12: First the New York Times wedding pages went all-inclusive, and now this: The gay newlyweds of the moment are championship tag-team wrestlers who planned to exchange vows in a fake commitment ceremony Tuesday night during World Wrestling Entertainment's weekly "Smackdown." What to get Billy and Chuck for a wedding present? (Nothing breakable. Maybe a cookbook?) "We sent them a gravy boat from Pottery Barn," said Scott Seomin of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Wrestlers Cancel Gay Wedding Sept 13: The wacky, flamboyant world of professional wrestling got even wackier this week when the highly-touted Sept. 12 "gay wedding" between two World Wrestling Entertainment partners was called off. The wrestling sideshow has left GLBT media watchdog organization GLAAD furious, after the group publicly supported the wedding as a step forward for the usually homophobic pro wrestling world.

'WW'EDDING RING Billy and Chuck Tie the Knot in a Special 'Smackdown.' Sept 9: World champion tag-team partners, Billy and Chuck, will tie the knot, say World Wrestling Entertainment officials, who confess wedding is more over-the-top than from the heart. ESPN's Rips Billy & Chuck Wedding Angle Sept 9: ESPN's 'Parden The Interuption' co-hosts, Kornheiser and Wilbon, rip apart Billy and Chuck's Gay Wedding Angle. Read the transcript of the show.

Shockey Apologizes for Comments About Gays New York Giants rookie Jeremy Shockey apologized for comments about gays made two weeks ago during an appearance on Howard Stern's radio show. "It's a show just for comedy," Shockey told the Daily News on Thursday. "I guess I do regret saying it. I didn't think anyone was going to make a big deal out of it. I'm not prejudiced against anybody's beliefs or what they do in their off time. I do regret saying something like that. Whatever I did to offend people, I apologize. I'm not prejudiced in any way."

Tight End's Homophobic Diatribe Rookie tight end with the New York Giants says he was "set up" to go on a rambling anti-gay rant on the Howard Stern radio show. During the interview, Stern asked Jeremy Shockey if he thought there were any gay players in the NFL. "I don't know," Shockey said. "I don't like to think about that. I hope not." He was asked if he had any gay teammates when he played at the University of Miami. "No," he said. "I mean, if I knew there was a gay guy on my college football team, I probably wouldn't, you know, stand for it. You know, I think, you know, they're going to be in the shower with us and stuff, I don't think that's going to work."

Rugby Champ's Secert's Weapon For all you Ruby fans, do you know the secert weapon rugby players have on hand and not afraid to use on other players? John Hopoate, of the West Tigers, did it and was banned from play for 12 weeks, for what is called "unsportsmanlike interference." Hopoate insisted that he was just trying to give the players a "wedgie to make them play the ball quicker". See just what and how some rugby players like to "play it dirty".

A Bingham Cup Photo Gallery. For more information about the 2002 Bingham Cup Rugby Tournament & Festival, including scores of all the games, visit the official IGRAB website.

TBC Tribute & Memorial to Mark Bingham and Our Brothers & Sisters Lost.

Outsports News Articles on Mark Bingham. *Remembering the man who saved a president and the one who fought back against terror. *Remembering Mark Bingham: Hero *``Real Sports'' Scores With Bingham Piece. *A Hero, a Brother, a Lesson in Tolerance and Understanding. *For Such A Time As This. *You Have Become a Role Model'. *A Gentle Inspiration Outsports: Mark Bingham.

Outsports.com For Gay Sports Fans and Athletes by Sports Fans and Athletes. The best, website on the net that is dedicated to Gay, Lesbian. Bisexual & Trangender Athletes and Sporting Events. Sports Sections: Baseball, Basketball, NFL  College F'ball, Gay Games, Olympics, Softball, Tennis, NHL, Women's Sports and so much more. Feature Sections: Community Outreach, Feature Articles, From The Wire, Making A Difference, Out Athletes, Regular Columnists and Week In Review. [Click Outsports logo for main index or below for links to selected features.] TBC Compiled a List of Quick Links to Selected Outsports Features Gay Athletes Outsports.com has dozens of features that look at everything from gay athletes to homophobia on college campuses to rants by professional athletes. Broken them down into several categories for your review. From the Wire News from other news sources affecting the gay sports community. Out Sports Photos Sections *Picture This ~ *The Locker Room ~ *Gay Games Locker Room Day 1~ Day 12. ~ *Picture This Archives. ~Click Here for Index Links ~

Poll Indicates Acceptance of Gay Athletes Survey says public acceptance of openly gay or lesbian professional athletes in America is generally favorable. Results of poll, indicated that 65 percent of the respondents would not feel differently if favorite athlete reveal they were gay or lesbian. Fans: I'm Not Homophobic but My Buddy Is New survey examines attitudes towards gay athletes in professional sports showed contradictions most fans said their attitude toward their favorite athlete would not change, but speculated that their neighbor's would.

Lesbian Group Stages Kiss-In at Basketball Game Lesbian fans of New York Liberty have accused the Women's National Basketball Association management of ignoring their presence at Madison Square Garden and protested by staging a "timeout kiss-in". The kissing during breaks of a televised game was organized by "Lesbians for Liberty."A statement issued by The Liberty, described Liberty games as "an environment where every single person  regardless of age, ethnicity or sexual preference  is treated equally."What makes this kissing protest unique is that this is one of the few times gay fans have asked for their piece of the respect pie.

Anti-Bias Irks Miracle's Gay Fans The letter. Pat Williams, Orlando Magic President sent to the Orlando City Commission, to voice his opposition to Chapter 57, an amendment that would add sexual orientation to the city's anti-discrimination ordinance, landed the Miracle's top executives in trouble with the WNBA team's fans. Williams, without apologizing, issued a written statement to explain the letter he sent. Read the Letter and his Statement.

John Rocker In New Anti-Gay Flap Texas Ranger Pitcher, John Rocker embroiled in another new anti-gay controversy. Rocker, nicknamed 'The Mouth From The South' yelled homophobic epithets after being heckled at a popular Dallas. Rocker issued a written apology, for anti-gay remarks he made toward patrons of a popular eatery. Rocker was with his girlfriend at Breadwinners Cafe & Bakery when some customers began badgering and pestering him. "It seemed as if they were trying to bait me with suggestivecomments," Rocker said in the statement. Richard Garcia, who waited on Rocker, said the ballplayer was not provoked. Garcia said Rocker called a male couple sitting at a nearby table "fruitcakes" as he got up and left.

Billy Bean Tells Truth of Personal Experience In the past three years, since I came out publicly, I have seen how important it is for members of the gay and lesbian community, who are able to live openly and honestly in our workplaces, to be visible, vocal role models. Gay Sports Fans at Odds Over Billy Bean Billy Bean's recent cameo as himself on HBO's Arli$$, advising a fictional gay athlete to stay in the closet to protect his career -- has gay sports fans at each others' throats. Why Billy has become the self-appointed Mother Superior dispensing well-intentioned but poorly reasoned and ultimately, detrimental `blanket advice' for every gay athlete in professional sports.

Billy Bean Tells Truth of Personal Experience In the past three years, since I came out publicly, I have seen how important it is for members of the gay and lesbian community, who are able to live openly and honestly in our workplaces, to be visible, vocal role models. Gay Sports Fans at Odds Over Billy Bean Billy Bean's recent cameo as himself on HBO's Arli$$, advising a fictional gay athlete to stay in the closet to protect his career -- has gay sports fans at each others' throats. Why Billy has become the self-appointed Mother Superior dispensing well-intentioned but poorly reasoned and ultimately, detrimental `blanket advice' for every gay athlete in professional sports.

Billy Bean, left, with Robert Wuhl, who plays sports agent Arliss Michaels.

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John Rocker In New Anti-Gay Flap Texas Ranger Pitcher, John Rocker embroiled in another new anti-gay controversy. Rocker, nicknamed 'The Mouth From The South' yelled homophobic epithets after being heckled at a popular Dallas. Rocker issued a written apology, for anti-gay remarks he made toward patrons of a popular eatery. Rocker was with his girlfriend at Breadwinners Cafe & Bakery when some customers began badgering and pestering him. "It seemed as if they were trying to bait me with suggestivecomments," Rocker said in the statement. Richard Garcia, who waited on Rocker, said the ballplayer was not provoked. Garcia said Rocker called a male couple sitting at a nearby table "fruitcakes" as he got up and left.

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Anti-Bias Irks Miracle's Gay Fans The letter. Pat Williams, Orlando Magic President sent to the Orlando City Commission, to voice his opposition to Chapter 57, an amendment that would add sexual orientation to the city's anti-discrimination ordinance, landed the Miracle's top executives in trouble with the WNBA team's fans. Williams, without apologizing, issued a written statement to explain the letter he sent. Read the Letter and his Statement.

Pat Williams

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Lesbian Group Stages Kiss-In at Basketball Game Lesbian fans of New York Liberty have accused the Women's National Basketball Association management of ignoring their presence at Madison Square Garden and protested by staging a "timeout kiss-in". The kissing during breaks of a televised game was organized by "Lesbians for Liberty."A statement issued by The Liberty, described Liberty games as "an environment where every single person  regardless of age, ethnicity or sexual preference  is treated equally."What makes this kissing protest unique is that this is one of the few times gay fans have asked for their piece of the respect pie.

John Rocker Gay Slurs Easily Run From His Lips.

Poll Indicates Acceptance of Gay Athletes Survey says public acceptance of openly gay or lesbian professional athletes in America is generally favorable. Results of poll, indicated that 65 percent of the respondents would not feel differently if favorite athlete reveal they were gay or lesbian. Fans: I'm Not Homophobic but My Buddy Is New survey examines attitudes towards gay athletes in professional sports showed contradictions most fans said their attitude toward their favorite athlete would not change, but speculated that their neighbor's would.

Outsports.com For Gay Sports Fans and Athletes by Sports Fans and Athletes. The best, website on the net that is dedicated to Gay, Lesbian. Bisexual & Trangender Athletes and Sporting Events. Sports Sections: Baseball, Basketball, NFL  College F'ball, Gay Games, Olympics, Softball, Tennis, NHL, Women's Sports and so much more. Feature Sections: Community Outreach, Feature Articles, From The Wire, Making A Difference, Out Athletes, Regular Columnists and Week In Review. [Click Outsports logo for main index or below for links to selected features.] TBC Compiled a List of Quick Links to Selected Outsports Features Gay Athletes Outsports.com has dozens of features that look at everything from gay athletes to homophobia on college campuses to rants by professional athletes. Broken them down into several categories for your review. From the Wire News from other news sources affecting the gay sports community. Out Sports Photos Sections *Picture This ~ *The Locker Room ~ *Gay Games Locker Room Day 1~ Day 12. ~ *Picture This Archives. ~Click Here for Index Links ~

Outsports News Articles on Mark Bingham. *Remembering the man who saved a president and the one who fought back against terror. *Remembering Mark Bingham: Hero *``Real Sports'' Scores With Bingham Piece. *A Hero, a Brother, a Lesson in Tolerance and Understanding. *For Such A Time As This. *You Have Become a Role Model'. *A Gentle Inspiration Outsports: Mark Bingham.

TBC Tribute & Memorial to Mark Bingham and Our Brothers & Sisters Lost.

A Bingham Cup Photo Gallery. For more information about the 2002 Bingham Cup Rugby Tournament & Festival, including scores of all the games, visit the official IGRAB website.

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Rugby Champ's Secert's Weapon For all you Ruby fans, do you know the secert weapon rugby players have on hand and not afraid to use on other players? John Hopoate, of the West Tigers, did it and was banned from play for 12 weeks, for what is called "unsportsmanlike interference." Hopoate insisted that he was just trying to give the players a "wedgie to make them play the ball quicker". See just what and how some rugby players like to "play it dirty".

John Hopoate (Rainbow Net)

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Tight End's Homophobic Diatribe Rookie tight end with the New York Giants says he was "set up" to go on a rambling anti-gay rant on the Howard Stern radio show. During the interview, Stern asked Jeremy Shockey if he thought there were any gay players in the NFL. "I don't know," Shockey said. "I don't like to think about that. I hope not." He was asked if he had any gay teammates when he played at the University of Miami. "No," he said. "I mean, if I knew there was a gay guy on my college football team, I probably wouldn't, you know, stand for it. You know, I think, you know, they're going to be in the shower with us and stuff, I don't think that's going to work."

Shockey Apologizes for Comments About Gays New York Giants rookie Jeremy Shockey apologized for comments about gays made two weeks ago during an appearance on Howard Stern's radio show. "It's a show just for comedy," Shockey told the Daily News on Thursday. "I guess I do regret saying it. I didn't think anyone was going to make a big deal out of it. I'm not prejudiced against anybody's beliefs or what they do in their off time. I do regret saying something like that. Whatever I did to offend people, I apologize. I'm not prejudiced in any way."

Jeremy Shockey Wants no Homo's near his tight end.

'WW'EDDING RING Billy and Chuck Tie the Knot in a Special 'Smackdown.' Sept 9: World champion tag-team partners, Billy and Chuck, will tie the knot, say World Wrestling Entertainment officials, who confess wedding is more over-the-top than from the heart. ESPN's Rips Billy & Chuck Wedding Angle Sept 9: ESPN's 'Parden The Interuption' co-hosts, Kornheiser and Wilbon, rip apart Billy and Chuck's Gay Wedding Angle. Read the transcript of the show.

The Supposed Proposal 'Will You be My Partners' [Photo Left] And Supposed Acceptance 'I Will be Your Life Partner' and Phoney Gay Coulple Share a Big Bear Hug. [Photo Right]

Wrestlers Going to the Mat For Gay Rights? Not Exactly Sept 12: First the New York Times wedding pages went all-inclusive, and now this: The gay newlyweds of the moment are championship tag-team wrestlers who planned to exchange vows in a fake commitment ceremony Tuesday night during World Wrestling Entertainment's weekly "Smackdown." What to get Billy and Chuck for a wedding present? (Nothing breakable. Maybe a cookbook?) "We sent them a gravy boat from Pottery Barn," said Scott Seomin of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Wrestlers Cancel Gay Wedding Sept 13: The wacky, flamboyant world of professional wrestling got even wackier this week when the highly-touted Sept. 12 "gay wedding" between two World Wrestling Entertainment partners was called off. The wrestling sideshow has left GLBT media watchdog organization GLAAD furious, after the group publicly supported the wedding as a step forward for the usually homophobic pro wrestling world.

A Former NFL Lineman Comes Out Oct 24: Esera Tuaolo will become one of the rarest of breeds, an out ex-professional athlete. He will reveal he is gay during a segment on HBO's "Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel" on October 29th. Tuaolo, a defensive lineman for four NFL teams in his nine year career, most notably with the Minnesota Vikings.

Former NFL Player Dave Kopay: Still Going Strong For more than 25 years, Dave Kopay has been fighting the good fight on behalf of gay rights and shows no signs of slowing down. Kopay spent nine years in the NFL as a running back and special teams with San Francisco, New Orleans, Washington, Detroit and  Green Bay. He is also recovering from a total left hip replacement this summer to relieve agonizing pain he endured the past four years. But Kopay, 60, is still very opinionated and a forceful advocate for gay rights. Kopay, whose 1977 coming-out autobiography "The David Kopay Story" was a New York Times bestseller and is in its fifth printing, can wax forcefully on a variety of topics, with anger, empathy, bluntness and humor. He can bounce from Herman Hesse to Jerry Falwell to Brett Favre without missing a beat. Some of Kopay's unvarnished observations:

Dave Kopay

Gay and Lesbian Pro Athletes Create Their Own Identity! A new worldwide association has been developed to represent gay and lesbian professional athletes. Gay & Lesbian Professional Athletes Association (GLPAA) is a not-for-profit association dedicated to change in professional sport. Click on banner for GLPAA's Website.

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No More Hiding Oct 30: Former NFL Player Esera Tuaolo comes out, says "I Feel Wonderful". Read OutSports comprehensive coverage and a lot of background material about the life Esera Tuaolo and reactions to his coming out as a gay man. *I Wanted to Be Happy *He Would Have Been Hated *You Don't Have to Run Any More *A Director's Tale: How Joe Somodi Helped Esera Tuaolo Go Public *Players React to Esers Tuaolo Coming Out ~ Read OutSports.Com Articles ~

Mixed Reviews For Tuaolo Coming Out Oct 30: HBO aired Esera Tuaolo's coming out interview and it sent a rush of testosterone through the NFL as players lined up to denounce gays on the gridiron.

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I Stand Alone at the Gay Games Oct 27: Yasir Sami an Iraqi rugby player talks about wanting to participate in the Gay Games in Sydney in an interesting interview. Gay Games Gonorrhoea Warning: Drug Resistant Strains Common in Sydney Oct 25: Gonorrhoea and syphilis have reached epidemic proportions among gay men in Australia, leading epidemiologist Dr Andrew Grulich told the Annual Conference of the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM) in Sydney this week.

Gay Games VI 2002 News Articles Nov 2, 2002: *kd lang Serenaded at Gay Games. Canadian songstress kd lang's was blown away by her birthday present at the Gay Games opening ceremony - a crowd rendition of `Happy Birthday'. *Kylie to Open Gay Games. One of pop music's biggest gay icons is expected to appear at Sydney 2002 International Gay Games opening ceremony. *Crowds Flock to Gay Opener. Thousands of spectators are arriving at Sydney's Aussie Stadium for the opening ceremony of the 2002 International Gay Games. ~ Read Articles ~

It's a G'Day For San Diego's Gay Athletes Oct 29: 200 San Diegans, including 40 members of Front Runners, a local gay running club, and 25 members of Different Strokes Swim Team, who will be competing in swimming, diving, water polo and triathlon events.

kd lang

Kylie Minogue

Op~Ed. "Grow Up, Accept Gay Players" [By Greg Cote Miami Herald] Nov 4: Come out of closet? NFL should first pull its head out of the sand. Feel free to join the rest of us in the 21st Century. It really isn't such a bad place to be, once you get used to it. Greg's Dear NFL Player, letter is excellent and a must read for sure.

Dykes on Bikes Get Gay Games Off to Fiery Start Nov 4: The 2002 Gay Games got off to a spectacular start in Sydney. Opening ceremony featured Dykes on Bikes, a motorcycle stunt team of 40 lesbians, who performed against a backdrop of fireworks.

Transsexual Competes Twice in Gay Games Nov 6: Transgender ice hockey athlete Jamie McCulloch competed twice on Monday in the Gay Games once as part of the Boston men's hockey team, and a second time as part of the women's team. Transgender Athlete Competes in Men's and Women's Events Nov 5: Ice hockey athlete Jamie McCulloch is one of a handful of transgender athletes at the Sydney-hosted Gay Games VI who have found themselves in the middle of a tussle against whom they should be competing men or women.

Gay Games VI 2002 Resources Links to Sydney2002, main website for the Gay Games VI and 365Gay.Com's special section on the Gay Games. Includes: Sports Events Results, Gay Games TV, Meet the Teams, Gay Games History and much more interesting information. ~ Click Here ~ Out Sports Outstanding Coverage of Gay Games IV The Games Begin Daily News Notes, Results for Events and Each Day in Pictures.  ~ Click Here ~

Gay Games Organizers Minimize Financial Woes Nov 1: With tens of thousands of athletes and spectators filing into Sydney for Saturday's opening ceremonies of Gay Games VI, the organization that hosts the event is facing a serious cash crunch.

Former NFL player Esera Tuaolo Comes Out, Says NFL is Not Ready for Gays Nov 1: On too many desperate nights in a life of lies as a gay player in the NFL, Esera Tuaolo drank himself to sleep, hoping he wouldn't wake up. At times when he sped away from nightclubs, hating the pretense, thinking as he drove crazily at 100 mph he could end his torment just by turning the wheel. Those days are over, now that he's come out.

"Gays as Lockerroom Predators: A Bogus Issue" Op~Ed. by Bill Konigsberg "The issue of gays in sports is certainly an intriguing one," I say. "One of the things some professional athletes say they worry about is showering with a gay man. I can understand the concern, but there's really not much to worry about. I've been in hundreds of locker rooms, as a reporter and otherwise. And I've only had sex in about 20 of them." One of the best Op~Ed's, I have read to date since Esera Tuaolo's coming out on HBO's Real Sports.See TBC's news coverage of Esera's coming out reaction from the news media and from other professional athletes, click here.

Esera Tuaolo Former NFL Player Came Out on HBO's Real Sports.

Esera Tuaolo (OutSports.Com)

Esera Tuaolo

Gay Ex-Falcon Comes Out, But is He Famous Enough to Change Anything? Op~Ed by Jay Croft Atlanta Journal-Constitution Gay folks are always hoping celebrities will come out of the closet publicly. We get downright giddy about a glamorous, male athlete doing so because -- well, because it's never really happened before. And because big-time sports appears so homophobic. And because it would break a lot of stereotoypes about masculinity and homosexuality.

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Esera Tuaolo Has Just Begun Nov 13: Never before has the phrase "Save Our Children" had such a warm ring to it. That was the war cry of Anita Bryant, in Dade County, Florida in 1977 when she led a successful crusade to repeal a gay rights ordinance there. Fast forward 25 years. Enter another person who, just like Anita, has a beautiful singing voice, a gay husband (but in this case not an "ex-gay"). But this time, it's former football player Esera Tuaolo. And this time, it's saving the children from the likes of Anita Bryant.

911 Hero's Mom Gay Games IV Guest of Honor Organisers of the Gay Games closing ceremony were not aware Alice Hoglan, Mother of 911 Hero Mark Bingham's, would helpe to present the Tom Waddell awards until the morning of the ceremony itself. Alice's reception at ceremony was a standing ovation moved her deeply. "I was stunned," she says."It's an awesome experience for me to be able to gaze out over all those loving faces and absorb the energy and spirit of the crowd." "I'm very proud that the gay community has embraced Mark," she says. "Mark was proud to be a gay man, and he was the first to come to the fore to defend a cause or speak out or fight against oppression. He was a champion of the underdog but at the same time he knew how to party and have a good time and get in there and bust heads and compete. He fits right in here with the GLBT community."

Alice Hogan, Mother of Mark Bingham (Photo by Jamie Dunbar)

Rendezvous in Montréal for 2006 Gay Games You thought the Sydney 2002 Gay Games were big. Organisers of 2006 Gay Games in Montréal are anticipating as many as 24,000 sporting and cultural event participants for their event, and up to 250,000 non participating tourists. Montréal is well placed to attract a large number of people in 2006, being a Northern Hemisphere, bilingual city one hour's flight from New York City. Organisers say that Montréal has the facilities to cater for 24,000 participants and government support for the event was already forthcoming. "We have an agreement with the federal government for $1m and the Quebec government for $1m," Perrier said. "The City of Montréal is also providing venues and services up to a value of $1m as well.

Canadian Team Arrive Opening Ceremony (Photo by Jamie Dunbar)

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Olympic Swimmer Thorpe Sets Record Straight, He's Not Gay Olympic swimming superstar Ian Thorpe set to become a gay hero after rebutting rumours he is homosexual. During a radio interview, the Australian swimming star denied that he is gay, saying the rumors are "flattering." The 20-year-old Olympic gold medalist attributed the gay rumors to behavior that people don't associate with the stereotypical Australian man, like attending fashion shows and designing pearl jewelry. "You know I'm a little bit different to what most people would consider being an Australian male, that doesn't make me gay," Ian said. But he added: "It's the most flattering thing that anyone can ever say because if someone wants to label you or claim you as part of a minority group, it means you must have some strength in your character or in what you do." Ian Thorpe Official Site: www.ianthorpe.telstra.com.au/.

Ian Thorpe, may not be gay, but, he sure is easy on the eyes.

Sol Denies Gay Rumors England star Sol Campbell dismissed rumours suggesting he is gay, claiming he is just shy. The defender has had to endure death threats and Judas taunts since his controversial transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal 18 months ago, but, also stories claiming he is a closet homosexual. He said he had now had enough of the slurs because they were affecting his family. "Their lies don't really hurt me, but when it starts affecting my family that's when it moves on to a different level." I want my family name back for my mother and father. Dispelling these lies means a hell of a lot to me," he said.

Sol Cambell (Photo: Mark Pain)

49ers' Hearst Retreats From Gay Slur San Francisco 49ers running back Garrison Hearst back-pedaled from anti-gay remarks he made three weeks ago before finally apologizing on. The comments were part of an interview with Hearst, shortly after former NFL player Esera Tuaolo acknowledged that he is gay. "I don't want any faggots on my team," Hearst said, when asked about his feelings about the potential for having a gay teammate. "I know this might not be what people want to hear, but that's a punk. I don't want any faggots in this locker room." Hearst Apologizes for Comments About Homosexual Players A day after Garrison Heart's derogatory remarks about gays became widely known, the San Francisco 49ers running back apologized in an emotional 45-second statement. This followed a meeting with Mariucci and York, during which Hearst sought forgiveness. 49er's G.M. Donahue: Anti-gay Comments Insensitive General Manager Terry Donahue tried to distance the 49ers from recent anti-gay remarks by Garrison Hearst, he described Hearst's comments as insensitive and inappropriate. Donahue saud, "I don't think it's reflective of the attitude of the organization,'' he added "In this kind of environment, you are trying to survive and win each week and trying to get by, and we don't need to become embroiled in a social issue. It's unfortunate those comments were made and it was insensitive.'' Anti-Defamation League Condemns Anti-Gay Comment From 49er The ADL condemned the anti-gay comments made by San Francisco 49ers running back Garrison Hearst. The ADL's Regional Director Jonathan Bernstein said the homophobic comments "remind all of us that there are still many in society with bigoted viewpoints. This is especially troubling when it comes from someone who is admired by youngsters."

Terry Donahue 49er's G. M.

Garrison Hearst 49ers Homophobe  Running Back

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GaySports.com, Your New Home for Gay & Lesbian Sports! Menu Directory & Site Search Sports ~ Outdoors ~ Fitness ~ Recreation ~ Games/Olympics ~ Communities ~ Baseball ~ Basketball Football ~ Golf ~ Gymnastics ~ Ice Hockey ~ Rugby ~ Soccer ~ Softball ~ Swimming & Diving Tennis ~ Volleyball ~ Water Polo ~ Click Here ~ Sports Contents Links ~ Sports Stories & News, Sports Events, Sports Highlights, Sports Photo Galleries ~

Navratilova Takes On Anti-Lesbian Tennis Dad An attack on lesbians in pro tennis prompted Martina Navratilova to launch her own volley on the weekend. Navratilova labeled notorious tennis dad Damir Dokic "stupid" over comments that he would kill himself if his daughter "became a lesbian." But, at the opening of a Gold Coast tennis tournament Navratilova questioned how the elder Dokec came by his statistics. "Does he know a lot about that?" asked the tennis great. "That's a pretty stupid comment to make - that his sense of worth as a father is whether your daughter is a lesbian or not," Navratilova said. "If that's the most important thing to him then I really feel sorry for him." Tennis Star's Dad Lashes Out At Lesbian Players The father of Serbian tennis star Jelena Dokic says he would kill himself if his daughter "became a lesbian." In a tirade against lesbian tennis players, Damir Dokic said "More than 40 per cent of women in world tennis are lesbians. I couldn't stand it if Jelena turned out to be one of them. I'd kill myself." A spokesperson for the Lawn Tennis Association refused to condemn the elder Dokic's views saying only "We do not want to get involved with what Mr Dokic has said." Jelena, who now lives in England, has also remained silent.

Martina Navratilova

Damir Dokic

Male Manager of Women's Football Team Quits After Lesbian Affairs The male manager of a top women's football team has quit because he says lesbian affairs have destroyed their team spirit. Barney Davidson, a former Leicester City player, has walked out on Gretna women's football team after five years. "Out of 17 players I would say about eight are lesbian or have boyfriends as well. Some of them would deny it but I know because I have been involved with the team for so long." "Gays Remain Outcasts in Sports" Op~Ed By Ryan Thorburn The calender will soon read 2003. But when it comes to tolerance for gay people, it seems more like it's the Stone Ages in the sports world.

Piazza Denies Rumor as Gay Player Issue Resurfaces A gossip column in New York Post repeated what it called "a persistent rumor around town that one Mets star who spends a lot of time with pretty models in clubs is actually gay and has started to think about declaring his sexual orientation." But, the only Mets star who declared anything was Mike Piazza, and he said, "I'm not gay. I'm heterosexual." For a ballplayer to acknowledge otherwise, would be committing professional suicide.

Piazza Feels Complled to Say He's Hetrosexual Responding to a gossip column on that referred to "a persistent rumor around town" about a gay star player for the Mets, Mike Piazza felt compelled to hold an impromptu news conference on the field at Veterans Stadium to discuss his sexuality. Where Piazza says "He Ain't Gay"

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News ~ "I'm Not Gay" ~ Baseball ~ Basketball ~ Football ~ Tennis  Wrestling ~ Gay Games VI ~ Mark Bingham ~ OutSports ~ GaySports

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'I'm Not Homophobic I Just Won't Work With Them' Player Says May 8: Colorado Rockies reliever Todd Jones said in a Denver Post interview, gays should not be allowed to play in the major leagues Jones is "standing by what I said." "They say I should be released. They say I should be fined. They say they will protest the Rockies. They think I'm a gay-hater, a narrow minded redneck from Alabama who ain't never been nowhere. Jones then accuses gays of attempting to squelch free speech. "Why is our society so worried about what is politically correct nowadays? I'm not a gay-hater. I couldn't care less if you're gay. For people to treat this like it's a witch hunt, to crucify the Neanderthal redneck baseball player for stating his opinions on a sensitive issue, scares me.

OutSports Columns on Billy Bean *Out With the Out Guy: Why Billy Bean Is a Lousy Spokesman Billy Bean became "a qualified expert" by default when came out of the closet, after his short-lived baseball career, and to my knowledge, has never had anything positive to say about the prospect of someone being same-gender loving in the world of sports. His negative demeanor on the topic doesn't just cover the prospect of someone being an active player and openly gay. *Bean Did Right Thing Marginal Players Replaced Why is Billy Bean so pessimistic? Why does he think it would be "professional suicide," in his words, for a major league baseball player to come out as gay? Because we all view everything through the prism of our of own life experiences and it would have been professional suicide for a marginal, journeymen outfielder to have come out as gay in the late `80s or early `90s. Read Both OutSports Columns.

Rockies Pitcher Apologizes to his Team, but Stands Behind Anti-Gay Comments May 1: Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Todd Jones apologized to the organization and his teammates for his recent anti-gay remarks, but did not apologize for the comments themselves that included the sentiment that he "wouldn't want a gay guy being around me." "I think my only mistake was that I made my views public," said Jones, who was teary-eyed at times during his brief statement. "And for that, I apologize to the Rockies and I apologize to my teammates for putting them through this." ~ Two News Articles ~

Rockies Call Jones' Comments About Gays 'Unfortunate' April 29: The Colorado Rockies criticized reliever Todd Jones' recent anti-gay remarks on Tuesday night, saying they were ''unfortunate'' and did not reflect the team's views. On the Rockies team's Web site, it sais, that the team does not share Jones' views, opinions, or attitudes. ''As an organization and part of this community, we are committed to providing an environment for our employees and fans that is free of discrimination and prejudice regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national orientation, age, disability, or status as a veteran,'' team president Keli McGregor said in the statement. May 28: "Colorado Rockies Club Statement Regarding Jones' Anti-Gay Comments"

Todd Jones Rockies Pitcher

Rockies President Says Jones Anti-Gay Remarks Do Not Reflect Teams View.

[NOTE: This is Denver Post Interview Where Jones made Anti-Gay Remarks] Broadway Portrayal of Homosexual Ballplayer Runs Counter to Reality April 27: In the few first seconds of the most controversial new play on Broadway, a young, handsome and cocky major-league baseball superstar casually and unashamedly mentions to the media and his teammates that he is gay. His talents are so god-like, his life to date so charmed and insulated from hatred and it never occurs to him to care what anyone else might think about that. Art, in this case, certainly does not imitate life. In the entire history of the four major American team sports, not one player has come out as homosexual while collecting paychecks and banking endorsements. Colorado Rockies pitcher Todd Jones, a 6-foot, 3-inch pitcher from Marietta, Ga., said an openly gay player would create a hostile locker room environment, and that opposing pitchers would likely throw intentionally at his head. "I wouldn't want a gay guy being around me," Jones said. "It's got nothing to do with me being scared. That's the problem: All these people say he's got all these rights. Yeah, he's got rights or whatever, but he shouldn't walk around proud. It's like he's rubbing it in our face. 'See me, hear me roar.' We're not trying to be close-minded, but then again, why be confrontational when you don't really have to be?"

Daniel Sunjata, third from left, stars in 'Take Me Out.' Special / Joan Marcus

Anti-Gay Jock Tells It Straight May 1: The average football player has the guts to step on a field and risk losing a spleen to Ray Lewis. Your everyday basketball player will take one for the team by taking a charge from Shaquille O'Neal. The typical baseball player will stay in the batter's box and face chin music from Roger Clemens rather than retreat. And who's afraid of a puck traveling at 100 miles per hour? Not hockey players. But put any of them in the locker room shower with someone who's gay, and watch them run. When it comes to men's team sports, bravado does have limits, after all. By suiting up, a "real man" routinely ignores the possibility of intense physical pain, bodily harm or life in a wheelchair. That same "real man" will feel very threatened, however, should one of his teammates, after announcing he's homosexual, ask for the soap.

Mike Piazza

Eye on GLBT Sports News Last Updated: 5/8/03

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