Sexuality In Sport

[Fader]

As a lot on here know I'm a big NFL fan, interesting development going on at the moment in that the draft for this year (where 32 teams pick the best college prospects over 7 rounds for new players) contains a guy called Michael Sam who has openly admitted to being gay.

In this day and age that should really be a non issue, but this is actually the first ever time an NFL player (potential in this case) has openly admitted to being gay. Its causing a massive stirring in someparts on the NFLUK forum, 99% of the posters supporting him and hoping it will allow for others to come out and be themselves, but there is a small smattering of those being against it. Even a suggestion that gay players should used seperate changing facilities which imo is ridiculous in this day and age people still hold that view. Just because someone is gay doesn't mean they are going to fancy every living man/woman dependant on their own gender.

Not really sure why I put this on here as already being discussed elsewhere, but thought it'd be interesting to see golfers take on it especially as one guy in the NFL thread pointed to golf and tennis as being sports that wouldn't allow same dressing rooms!

BBC Article - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/american-football/26119059

NFLUK Forum thread for those interested - http://forum.nfluk.com/showthread.php?t=101539

 

[Foxholer]

Prejudice is tough to overcome, because of the er....prejudice!

Humans are a 'herd' animal, so that sets the mentality!

 

[Hacker Khan]

Thank god it is changing in sport, slowly but surely. I'm sure most people nowadays would just go 'so what'.

 

[Hobbit]

Tough one.

Sharing the same playing field, even in a contact sport, no problem.

Sharing a changing room with someone who doesn't find you sexually attractive is one thing but sharing it with someone who develops an erection as you walk past from the showers... sorry, but my stomach flips at the thought.

 

[fundy]

Was a piece written by a former nfl kicker recently that is worth reading if you have an interest in this

http://deadspin.com/i-was-an-nfl-player-until-i-was-fired-by-two-cowards-an-1493208214/@johncook

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Tough one.

Sharing the same playing field, even in a contact sport, no problem.

Sharing a changing room with someone who doesn't find you sexually attractive is one thing but sharing it with someone who develops an erection as you walk past from the showers... sorry, but my stomach flips at the thought.

So are you suggesting that just because some guy is gay he will automatically find you sexually attractive? Is that not a little presumptuous?

Straight, gay or bi it really is irrelevant. Whatever the sport the only question is are they any good.

 

[In_The_Rough]

Think Hobbit is saying it is a possibility that this could happen. Easy for us on here to say we do have any issues. Would I be comfortable sharing showers/changing areas with an openly gay man? Not so sure I would tbh.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

A positive thing today that the Captain of the England ladies football team has declared to all that she is gay.

But just wait for the homophobic, snide and sexist comments of the sort 'well it's ladies football - what do you expect...' or 'actually she's no bad lookin' - I'd give her one - what a waste...'

But BIG positives from me - and thumbs up to the lass. Good stuff and good luck to her - I am sure she'll be fine.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Think Hobbit is saying it is a possibility that this could happen. Easy for us on here to say we do have any issues. Would I be comfortable sharing showers/changing areas with an openly gay man? Not so sure I would tbh.

Why on earth would you feel uncomfortable. Do you imagine for one second he'd fancy you

Some of us have overly fertile imaginations I think

 

[Hobbit]

So are you suggesting that just because some guy is gay he will automatically find you sexually attractive? Is that not a little presumptuous?

Straight, gay or bi it really is irrelevant. Whatever the sport the only question is are they any good.

Think you're reading too much into my post. Where in my post do I say "automatically?" As an excessively cuddly 55 yr old I dare say very few would find me attractive.

As a parent of a gay child, now adult, and a cousin who's gay, and a very good friend who's gay, and having house shared with two gays, I have no problem with an individual's sexuallity. But I'm not comfortable as per the example in my first post.

 

[In_The_Rough]

Why on earth would you feel uncomfortable. Do you imagine for one second he'd fancy you

He might do

 

[Hacker Khan]

As the cliche goes, one of my best friends is gay. And we have shared showers, changing rooms etc etc. And as he says to any straight man worried that he will jump on them just because they are a man, don't flatter yourself love.

 

[louise_a]

As it is pretty certain that there are gays playing in all sports already, surely getting an erection n the changing room is not a problem, otherwise lots of gay players would be outing themselves unintentionally.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

The more that come out the better for sport

Football is very tribal and "masculine" - how many current players playing in the UK or even Europe have come out ? Think the answer is none - why ? Because they are scared to be ridiculed - it's very wrong and needs to change but I can't see it happening any time soon

The sooner is becomes accepted in all walks of life the easier it will be for people to lead the lives they wish

 

[Ethan]

I don't think people really care these days.

In golf, the LPGA has always been a bit nervous about the issue, especially around the Nabisco Dinah Shore event which is held in Palm Springs and is a big event for the local gay community.

But there have always been lesbian players. Rosie Jones came out a few years back, one of the leading all-time winners in the game still active on Tour is widely known to be gay, and you wouldn't have to be Hercule Poirot to guess at another leading British player's orientation.

But none of that has affected their popularity with golf fans or sponsors.

I am sure there are gay players on the US Tour too, although admittedly there are also a few bible bashers on Tour who might disapprove.

 

[palindromicbob]

Tough one.

Sharing the same playing field, even in a contact sport, no problem.

Sharing a changing room with someone who doesn't find you sexually attractive is one thing but sharing it with someone who develops an erection as you walk past from the showers... sorry, but my stomach flips at the thought.

I'd be flattered. Just because you've lit the flame doesn't mean you are going to be burned by it.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Think Hobbit is saying it is a possibility that this could happen. Easy for us on here to say we do have any issues. Would I be comfortable sharing showers/changing areas with an openly gay man? Not so sure I would tbh.

I was perhaps a little clumsy in making my point which is that those of us who have, in the past, played team sports have quite probably shared dressing rooms & showers with gay people without any problems.

Just because someone comes out surely does not mean they will automatically become predatorially promiscuous.

 

[In_The_Rough]

I was perhaps a little clumsy in making my point which is that those of us who have, in the past, played team sports have quite probably shared dressing rooms & showers with gay people without any problems.

Just because someone comes out surely does not mean they will automatically become predatorially promiscuous.

Not saying that at all but the possibility is there that is the point I am making

 

[SocketRocket]

I dont really care if someone is Gay and would never do anything to prejudice them. I dont' like homosexuality though but it seems that in this enlightened age that is somehow wrong! Or is it?

 

[Deleted member 18588]

[/B]

Not saying that at all but the possibility is there that is the point I am making

Yes and my point is that the possibility has always been there and is not increased by someone being open about their sexuality.