In 1988 Justin Fashanu, was a British star soccer player. Bigots began spreading rumors that he had an ongoing sexual affair with two British cabinet ministers in an attempt to ruin both their careers. His career and self-worth were so devastated that 10 years later they found him in an abandoned garage in East London; the 36-year-old athlete hung himself after an obsessed fan in Maryland claimed he assaulted him. The charges later were proven false.
On the other hand there have actually been some semi-happy endings:
Esera Tuaolo, veteran of the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and Atlanta Falcons appeared on an October 2002 episode of HBO's Real Sports. Upon seeing this, San Francisco 49ers' running back Garrison Hearst was quoted as publicly announcing “I don’t want any faggots on my team,” and later had to apologize for it. Before making peace with the negative reactions, Tuaolo had considered suicide after bouts of depression and intense loneliness. Fortunately, with the help of some of his former teammates, a concerted effort of the gay and lesbian community to stand by him, and his lover, Esera now leads a happy life.
Does anyone not know the name Martina Navratilova, the tennis great who came out as a lesbian in the New York Daily News in 1982?
Billie Jean King has been a household name for decades, and rightfully so. Billie won 20 Wimbledon titles, helped found the Women’s Tennis Association, was named the 
Associated Press’s Woman Athlete of the year in 1967 and 1973, named Sports Illustrated’s 1972 “Sportsperson of the Year,” and Time Magazine’s Woman of the Year for 1976. In front of 30,472 cheering fans packing the Houston Astrodome and 50 million TV viewers, she beat tennis hustler and former champion Bobby Riggs in what was billed as the tennis “Battle of the Sexes.” She was forced out into the Gay Rights forum when her ex-lover sued her for “Galimony,” which, fortunately, didn’t seem to hurt her career at all.
According to an April 12, 2005, Sports Illustrated poll, sports fans are far more accepting of lesbians in sports than gay men. Overall though, in the same poll 86 percent of Americans think openly gay male athletes should be able to play in team sports. However, the poll went on to say that 68 percent of respondents think it hurts an athlete’s career to be openly gay.
With rare exceptions these days, most overseas gay men have found acceptance in the world of sports. Voted fourth in “Total Sport’s” 10 Toughest Men Of Sport list, popular Australian rugby star Ian Roberts came out in 1995, while still currently at the top of his macho game. He’d played front rower in 85 games for South Sydney, over 100 in Manly, and, at the age of 23, was the highest paid rugby league player in the world. The other players on the North Queensland Cowboys shrugged his revelation off as no big deal and his fans followed suit. In a 1996 interview, Roberts is quoted as saying:
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jet in Columbus
Many thanks for your editorial help Suss!
2 - Sister Ray
Doesn't the WNBA have a fair amount of openly gay athletes relative to professional sports? I'm straight and not much of a sports follower, but that's the imprression I get.
I think it's good that we don't tie athleticism into sexuality as much as we used to - if a woman liked sports she "must be gay," and if a man didn't care for sports he "must be gay." Those are outmoded stereotypes.
3 - chantal stone
great article, Jet
4 - Jet in Columbus
Thanks Chantal, believe it or not you can thank Suss for it. This and it's companion article used to be one big one that he suggested that I rearrange and it works much better that way.
I'm glad you enjoyed it, it means a lot to me coming from you and you already know that.
Solus mei sententia
Jet
5 - Jet in Columbus
Sister Ray, yes it does, but the article is so long now that I had to make cuts somewhere.
Perhaps in the sequel?
Thanks for your imput sweetie
Solus mei sententia
Jet
6 - savvyplanners.com
WOW! Such an impressive, factual, balanced, informative and refreshing piece. 90 percent of our clientele are GLBT people. I'd like to be able to link to your story from our blog.
You have enlightened me about the contributions of many pro athletes and illuminated the, often tragic, results of a GLBTi athlete's life led in darkness and secrecy. Thanks for the great read.
7 - Jet in Columbus
Thanks Savvy feel free, and let me know how it goes.
Jet
8 - Q Bit
Great article Jet!
I'm now less ignorant.
9 - Jet in Columbus
Thanks Q, I appreciate the encouragement!
10 - Jet in Columbus
As you can tell by the photos of the footballers (excuse the pun) the gay ones are rarely the ones you'd expect them to be. Makes you wonder about the current players doesn't it.
11 - savvyplanners.com
here's the savvy plannerslink, Jet.
Thanks,
Marcinho
12 - Jet in Columbus
I'm honored and grateful Savvy... Jet
13 - Jet in Columbus
Interesting that you'd use Esera Tuaolo's photo for the link, I'd have gone with Dave Kopay, but then we all have different ideas of what a hunk is... ha ha
Thanks again
14 - savvyplanners
TOO Funny! I chose Mr. Tuaolo because his name has been in the media most recently (Dang those "Kids" who don't remember Kopay!) LOL.
Thanks to you they may.
Thanks for cleaning up (activating)the link too. You ROCK! Have a good evening!
15 - Jet in Columbus
Did you check out the companion article on Mark Bingham and the links to stats for each athlete... Well except for Bob Paris of course, but I better not describe that one here, you'll just have to click on that one youself...
16 - John
A factual unbiased article about the fact that gay men are actully men among men, not the old false stereotype myth of the limp-wrist-long-nails sissy that has been senselessly passed from one generation to another.
17 - Jet in Columbus
Thank you John, you might like the links I provided for each athlete as well, and check out the article I did on Mark Bingham!
Much appreciated...
Jet
18 - Jet in Columbus
John 16-Esera Tuaolo will probably appreciate that
19 - Jet in Columbus
Oh and by the way if you REALLY want to see something click on Bob Paris' link!!!
20 - Andy Marsh
good read Jet.
Let's not get all testy when I ask this question...
Is it really necessary to have a gay games? The way I read the post, it sounds like these athletes want or wanted exceptance...does calling yourself out with things like the gay games...or gay pride day and stuff like that really make you feel included or excepted? Are there hetero games or hetero pride days?
It just seems to me that wearing a big sign that says what you are...no matter what it is...is just asking for trouble...
think about it...even here at BC...there are people that give some people shit for never serving in the military and those same people give other people shit that DID serve...so...it seems to me, that any label you put on your self is just asking some other group to fuck with you...but that's just me...
one more thing...I seriously doubt you were appalled to find out that pro athletes stay in the closet until their careers are over...unless you've been in a real closet with the doors locked for the last...what...50 some years???
21 - chantal stone
Andy...I understand where you're coming from with your comment. The same question can be asked (and has been right here on BC) during events like Black History Month, or other culturally exclusive events---why is it necessary to single out a certain group for recognition?
Well, here's my answer: because for far too long, certain people would have preferred (and still do) that these certain groups be neither seen nor heard. And until people among these minority groups feel the same amount of equality, acceptance and recognition as do their mainstream counterparts, they will always be there to say "WE ARE HERE".
And it's time the "mainstream" gets over itself and accepts it.
22 - Mary K. Williams
Chantal and Andy - you both make some sense. On the one hand, sometimes it is the better choice to lay low - so to speak.
But Chantal - I understand this pendulum effect. To create equality, we need to see exactly who and what is at risk of never being heard. Because things in certain areas have been very one-sided - focus must swing hard the other way. Sometimes it takes years - generations - lifetimes - for things to come to rest in the middle.
23 - Jet in Columbus
Andy, rather than give a rather lengthy response, I've written a new article entitled "Dear Andy" watch for it, it's being reviewed as we speak.
Thanks
Jet
24 - Jet in Columbus
Dear Chantal, well that covered about a third of my new article in one paragraph.
Thanks sweetie
25 - Jet in Columbus
Mary 22-God I hope it doesn't take THAT long!