It was announced
that Major League Soccer would be launching an effort to protect current and
future gay players from discrimination and harassment. They will be posting
Player Code of Conduct in home and visitor locker rooms emphasizing the ban of
discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The League has also set up a
process for filing harassment and discrimination complaints and pledged to
protect any person who makes a complaint or who cooperates in an investigation.
In February 2013, soccer player Robbie Rogers came out and became the first
openly gay player in any major athletic leagues. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/12/mls-gay-_n_4951654.html)
Earlier this
year, Jason Collins revealed his sexuality after 12 seasons as an active NBA
player, and becomes the first openly gay player in NBA. This year, U.S. college
football star Michael Sam, a top prospect for the National Football League,
also announced his sexuality. If he is drafted and secures a roster spot, he
will become the first openly gay in NFL. (http://www.voanews.com/content/veteran-nba-player-takes-court-as-leagues-first-openly-gay-man/1857744.html)
These examples of athletes revealing their
sexuality are making an impact in more than the sports world; it may be the
beginning of a movement of the world finally coming to terms with gays. These
athletes are also role models for the gays that are still fearful to come out
to the world. From these athletes, they can learn to gain confidence and accept
themselves for who they are. There is a website (http://www.outsports.com), titled
Outsports: The galactic leader in gay sports, devoted entirely to these
athletes who have came out and have described the love and support they have
received after coming out from not only their friends and family, but also
strangers who praise their courage and strength. The gay athletic community is
setting up a positive example for gays, sending a single message to other gays,
that no matter the circumstances or situation, they are never alone.
No comments:
Post a Comment