More Than 100 Gay Athletes Came Out in 2014
Soccer player Robbie Rogers wrote a book this year about his coming out. He now plays for the LA Galaxy, who are headed to the MLS finals. Photo Works / Shutterstock.com
From amateurs to professionals to Olympians, 2014 was the year of the gay athlete.
OutSports editor Cyd Zeigler argues that Sports Illustrated should name the gay athlete, as a collective group, its “sportsman of the year,” because “No one – and by that I mean no person or collection of people – affected sports in 2014 the way these LGBT people in sports dominated headlines and changed conversations from January to December. A year ago children were growing up in a world where you couldn’t be a gay umpire, NFL player or Major League Soccer champion. These brave men and women changed all of that in one defining year.”
Indeed, in the last year we had the first openly gay college football player and the first openly gay professional football player. The first openly gay male basketball player played his first game while WNBA star Brittney Griner won a title and became the first LGBT athlete endorsed by Nike. Soccer player Robbie Rogers, who retired in 2013 in part to avoid “the circus” after coming out, returned to the pitch on a winning team. Countless others, including not just athletes, but coaches, executives and even an umpire, came out of the shadows.
And lets not forget the Olympics, which were held in a country, Russia, that oppresses gay speech and marginalizes gay citizens. How fitting then that Dutch speedskater Irene Wust, one of several out women to excel at the games, won more medals than anyone.
For each of the 100 plus top-performers, there are legion others whose names go unrecorded, but are in their own way just as important.
This truly was an extraordinary year for gay and lesbian athletes, and, a Zeigler points out, it’s not yet over.
—Posted by Peter Z. Scheer
Related Entries
- October 26, 2014 Football Crack
- October 17, 2014 Lionel Messi: The Impossible Athlete
Source: http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/more_than_100_gay_athletes_came_out_in_2014_20141202/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,708,231,107 |
| Stories: | 8,449,805 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
