How can we support equity for all minorities and make sports and society more embracing to LGBT people?

Question

Editor’s note: LGBT refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people.

Answer 1

I think the more LGBT people and other minorities turn up in sports, the military, in TV shows and high visibility areas, the better off we are. Those individuals, however, will be looked up to by a lot of kids - so they will have to lead "hero" lives: doing, being, saying, giving their best so they will be admired.

More visible TV coverage of good deeds!

Answer 2

This is a complicated subject. Most people look down on lgbt people or look at them as inferior. I know it is a stretch but you can promote a league especially for those types. There are leagues more the handicap and mentally challenged so why couldn't there be a league for the gay? I know that it may make them fill alienated, but it is a start. People should also be educated on the fact that these are still people and if they have the talent it shouldnt matter what their sexual preference is, if you can play and contribute. I am not gay but I would have no problem playing with someone whose sexual preference is different from my own.I think if there was an established gay player in sports that was not afraid to come out, they could serve as a role model for others and bring them into the mainstream of the profession.In other roles such as entertainors like Elton John,Ian McCellon they are openly gay and the public has embraced them. There is no reason why it could not be the same in sports.

Answer 3

Ask the military. It is a similar parallel and has addressed the issue with the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. It's not perfect but it works considering the possible harassment issues.
As a prior military person I have witnessed the harassment first hand and was happy that I was not in that situation. You want people to grow up in a vacuum of understanding but the world just doesn't function that way so the only answer is harsh penalties for those involved in the harassment, be it suspension or financial penalty. But certainly there will always be a lack of equity for LGBT that share living quarters, showers, equipment, dining facilities with those that are not. Again, look at the military, it is something that we can already see being discussed amongst politicians running for president and how divisive an issue it is. I would suggest on seeing how the politicians deal with it on a large scale and then adapt it to sports as sports leadership sees fit. You can't force people to support equity when they don't agree with the cause. They can only tolerate the differences.

But I ask, when does sexual preference play a role on the field of play in sports when not involving a magazine, brand name, or sponsor?

Answer 4

I really don't have any interest in seeing any sexual deviants glorified in any way.
There is no reason to go around humping stuff you aren't supposed to.
Except that you are a loser and can't do any better for some reason wether it's an insecurity or because you are such a sex fiend that it's easier to find some other deviant who is also hopelessly addicted to sex and screw all the time.

This should not be promoted.
It's unhealthy both physically and mentally.

They should all be stuffed back into the closet and the practice should not be condoned by any rational person in our society because everyone knows butt-lovin is gross. No matter how fabulous your hair looks you still take it in the pooper queer boy.

On second thought half those gay idiots don't need to reproduce because they obviously lack the genetics to make a good person so they can all hump each other as much as they want. Keep it out of my life though.

Answer 5

You can never MAKE sports or society embrace LGBT people. And why would you want to do so? Because you are gay and have felt the lonliness and isolation of your situation. Face it, most of America does not feel that pain or even see that pain on others. The best thing to do is tell your story (ESPN MAG) and keep telling it. America can embrace a neighbor who is gay or an entertainer. America is in love with gay stereotype characters on sitcoms and two girls together is some freudian staple of most american males fantasy land. It is the collective whole of gayness that is unembraceable. It has no face, no real personality. Tell your story, have others tell their stories and people will listen. Slowly change will come--think how different America is in this regards today vs. fifty years ago. Changes don't happen overnight just because we have iphones. Though in fifty years LGBT people will probably realize they don't want to be embraced just respected.

Answer 6

I am a gay male and have been out for many years. I know a lots of other gays, lesbians, bisexuals and trans gendered people.

We have tried,unsuccessfully to organize some sporting events for the "community".

The majority of them do not like sports, want nothing to do with sports and I just do not see the parallel in this question.

There are gay softball and soccer teams, there are Gay Rodeos but again, we do not have anything to do with sports period which is another sign we are truly gay.

Sports...hell we might break a nail! LOL

Just try and accept all of God creations and leave the sports up to the athletes.

Greg Louganis has retired anyways and we outed Renee Richards a long time ago!

We can design the sports arena for the sport, do the outfits for the teams and the cheerleaders, plan the music and the food but the game itself, what self respecting Gay would bother? We are far too busy deciding on the coordinating colors of those uniforms to actually play sports.

This is all said and done tongue in cheek but seriously, I just do not see that sports is a way to bridge and support equity for gay minorities. It is almost laughable.

Imagine football and all these gays trying out for the "tight end" or the Receiver. LOL

I can hear them now in the Clubs now....ewwww sports, gross but those athletes...yum!

Gay Games, what a waste of time and effort. Why do we have to discriminate that just makes it worse? Some of these organizations cannot survive because we don't need Gay Games. Gays again and just not interested period.

Answer 7

Eliminate the stresses on the media and the public to be politically correct. Aside from outright bigotry and separatism, most people are caught up in trying not to say the wrong thing about the wrong people. Little is ever said about our unity as a nation and our principles. The media needs to be pushed into a direction of embracing cultural diversity and racial/gender/sexual equity in their reporting of daily events, and balancing the good news with the bad news. We are much more alike than we are different, and all sides need to understand this through community efforts. Religious and cultural community events that attract not only the inner city youth, but the suburban crowds too should be promoted and encouraged. And the fear needs to be curbed. Why does a white man need to be afraid to go downtown? This is a relatively recent development in our cities and needs to be eliminated for the best of both sides. In the 30s, affluent whites would go into Harlem to the Savoy or the Apollo to see the greats of the jazz era perform, without fear of being assaulted or harrassed. The inner city has become a terrible place for visitors. This needs to be fixed so that neighborhoods can again be opened up for everyones safety and enjoyment and economic progress.

I am a white guy that loves soul food, but I will not go to the neighborhoods where I can find the right restaurants, because I will immediately be asked where I am from, and why I am there, and what am I doing there, and likely worse. Whay do I need a Black escort to go there? Why? It is ridiculous. Fix it. Change the inner city culture. The outside is fine. All races and gender preferences have homogenized into an American suburban culture that is mixed, safe and comfortable.

Answer 8

To embrace us, then, becomes a personal goal. When ever the opportunity arises, I make it a point to express my feelings in the positive for the LGBT movement, no matter what circle I am in. I merely introduce the subject within the context of whatever it is we are debating. It seems to work, for more and more people that I know look upon us as people first. People that happen to prefer something other than they do. Perhaps it is a way of life or a way of looking at a differing perspective. We should all do our best to initiate debate. Changing things takes time, make time to make change. We as people should only strive to uphold good for all not just one group. For example, God says we as people, should have a right to freedom and our American laws support it or reflect it. No group should get special priveledges. People should NOT be forced into behaving as if being gay is good, or o.k.; people should be free to believe that it is wrong and an abomination. Even if society entertained the idea that being gay or whatever is a great alternative life-style...What does God say about it?

Answer 9

The issue of inclusiveness needs to be addressed by the sports organizations. I think the only way is through forcing the issue. I don't usually feel that way with most things, but I this case you are dealing with a total Boys Club.
It seems like things are slowly changing, and even though I didn't read the book I think your personal journey is incredible.
Society is changing as well, and since a much more chaotic entity than a sports team in this case i don't think forcing the issue will work. Every time somebody comes out to someone else there is a chance they are helping to change the world in a positive way. Also the portrayal of gays should be as anybody else who walks the planet, not as mincing hairdressers and florists. Sure that exists, but it's a stereotype, and is a buffoonery. It begins with respect, very simple.

Answer 10

I think all the people should be equal in the same time for everybody, so I respect all the differencies globally.
But the problem is sometimes the LGBT people pretend to be the normality and the exclusive answer to the others, and that is wrong in my opinion.
In my country (Italy) just now we hawe a big political and religious discussion about the LBBT people , if they can have a some way of marriage.
But that is not a true problem, the focal point is, in my opinion, the presence allways of rights, rights, rights.
In my opinion the start point should be the duties and after the rights, of course between the LGBT people and theirselves and for "normal" people too.

Answer 11

OK, let me settle this. We can do lots. But we can also do lots for other minorities. I personally, am a white heterosexual female. I have no problems with lgbts. I have lots friends who are. They do not complain though. And you know what? Neither do I! Where I live, I am a minority in almost every way. I am probably, besides my 2 bffs, one of the only white, female, blondes at my school. Even in my town! To make it worse, I'm preppy, but do I complain? No! Do I complain when all the kids at my school call me racist just because I don't like someone? No! Do I complain when they say it's just cause I'm black, or gay, or mexican or whatever? And that's why you got a bad grade or referral. (It's because you have no respect and you are an idiot who does no work!) No! I'm sorry, I support rights for everyone but there are other minorities whether we know it or not. If you want to give a thumbs down, so be it. I don't care.