Outsports gets many requests from students and researchers delving into the subject of gays in sports. Out site has been of great value in hooking these researchers up with gay athletes, in and out of the closet. A student just posted a request on our Discussion Board after discovering Outsports through our book at his school’s library.
He already received one interesting response from a former collegiate baseball player who says he is in a Major League spring training camp.
… Now, as for my experiences in professional baseball which are brief to this point. I played some rookie league ball for the last half of the season in 2008 and am in ST now. Professional ball players I think at the major leagues would likely still have a big problem with a gay teammate but I dont think its as bad as it used to be. A lot of guys just say to each his own pretty much, plus a lot of the younger guys just dont really seem to care. I do think as the game at the big leagues gets younger the overall attitude may change but you are also always going to have guys that have never been exposed to a gay guy that will have huge problems with it… and guys from the South likely too. Going to school in the South (HS in the midwest) you learn that religion is a big part of a lot of dude’s lives and that has an aspect of not accepting gays as well.
As with any anonymous post we can’t verify this person’s identity or his story. However, many closeted jocks (whom we later verified) have posted on our boards over the years and what this player writes rings true to what we they have written.
We would love for people to post their own thoughts on the Discussion Board (registration required for new members) or in the comments here. Please be specific and stay on topic.
on Feb 23rd, 2009 at 4:44 am
This shot right out at me. I’d be happy to help as a current student athlete at a California University. If the OP would be kind enough to ask specifics I could answer what I can.
on Feb 23rd, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Times are changing, for the better, but there is still a great deal of work to be done. Although I’ve never been a professional athlete, I’ve played sports most of my life. I have been shunned, ostracized, and even kicked off of teams for being gay, but I never tried to hide my sexual orientation. I never flaunted it either. Many times, I would be asked about my relationships or there would be talk of sex. I would simply, and honestly reply that I am gay. I took a great deal of abuse, and even some beatings, in HS, and in college. Although my college years were in the 90’s, and there has been a great deal of progress, there is so much more to be made. Unless LGBT people come out, and no longer hide our sexuality, it will always be viewed as something “wrong” or something to be “ashamed” of by those who oppose us. We have to set the example, be out and demonstrate to the rest of the world we are no different, except for how we love. We may have to deal with things and people that are not pleasant to deal with, but it’s up to us to gain equality and inclusion. Please be out, please show the world we are part, and an important part, of the human race.
on Feb 25th, 2009 at 8:51 am
The first out gay major league baseball player will have to be ready to undergo a level of harassment not seen since Jackie Robinson.