"I take offense at the old locker room argument which assumes a man cannot, in any circumstances, control his urges. Any self-respecting human being can respect the rights and ways of another human being. The idea, then, that gays can convert, or want, heterosexual guys, is ludicrous. We want to play the game, not the field."
Despite expectations of a drop in his popularity, Roberts has several well-paid 
endorsement contracts. He’s even posed nude in a gay magazine, with no ill effects to his career, becoming a sex symbol “down under” for both men and women, and has gone on to a successful acting career after retiring from sports.
Greg Louganis is arguably one of the best male divers of all time, winning four gold medals between the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. His career ended after famously hitting his head on a diving board at the '88 Olympics, forcing him to reveal he had AIDS out of concern for the other athletes. His autobiography, Breaking the Surface, and subsequent movie have made him a legend and a sought after celebrity.
In 1968, army physician Tom Waddell came in sixth at the Olympic decathlon. He and his lover Charles Deaton were thrust into the spotlight in 1976 by being the first gay partners to appear in the “Couples” section of People magazine. Tom went on to form plans for the “Gay Olympic Games”, stirring up controversy and lawsuits because of the use of the word “Olympics” in the title. Renamed the “Gay Games,” they first took place in San Francisco in 1982 and since then have grown to feature officially recognized athletic events and record holders, and it boasts participation of thousands of gay and straight registered athletes every four years. Laughably, many straight athletes entered thinking they’d have an easy time of it, only to be proven wrong, then later joined because of the challenge.
A gold medallist in the 800-meter freestyle relay at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Bruce Hayes came out of the closet at the 1994 Gay Games, winning seven gold medals there and setting several recognized master’s swimming records.
Bob Paris from Indiana won the 1983 Mr. America and Mr. Universe bodybuilding titles. He went on to marry his long-time lover Rod Jackson, changing their names to Jackson-Paris and appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss it after coming out of the closet in the July 1989 issue of Ironman magazine. He went on to write several books including his autobiography Gorilla Suit: My Adventures in Body Building in 1997.
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!