Some of the fun in winning a championship is the celebration and bragging rights that come with the trophy. But for the Hotscots (photo), there’s little of that to be had. Scotland’s only gay football team won the Gay National League Cup over the weekend, but because everyone on their roster is not out, the team tamped down any public celebration of the title.
It’s a real shame some of our lads have not come out yet so [they] cannot bask fully in the limelight. Some of the guys are teachers and policemen and still do not feel comfortable with being publicly outed.You wouldn’t think this is the 21st century, would you?
That’s the take of club chairman Kevin Rowe, who formed the team two years ago and despite the lack of public celebration is certainly toasting the team’s championship.
If you’d have told me when I formed the club, that under two years later we’d have won the national league cup, I wouldn’t have believed you. We’re capable of playing better football, however where before we may have crumbled under pressure, the experience of the team is starting to tell, and we did so well today to win through. The club was formed to give gay people a chance to get back into the sport, and winning this trophy is proof that we have come such a long way in a little space of time.
It’s a shame that some members of the team can’t fully enjoy their accomplishments. But it’s not surprising. Even after two years of covering gay sports leagues in Atlanta, I still run into athletes who ask that their photo not be taken for fear of being outed to friends and co-workers.
Matt Hennie blogs on Atlanta’s gay sports scene (and other stuff) at Project Q Atlanta.
on May 5th, 2009 at 2:19 PM
This is too bad. It’s 2009, people. What are you waiting for?
on May 6th, 2009 at 6:17 AM
It shows how little the law means if you can’t change a culture.
That takes time, but I believe it’s on our side.
Get the “good will” out and the “good” will out themselves.
on May 6th, 2009 at 4:11 PM
The “closeted” guys are probably conservative, socially and/or politically, and not comfortable with announcing their preference of sexual partners to the public at large, which is a reasonable, and some would say tactful, stance. I would ask, instead, why the “gay community” repeatedly fails to grasp that some gay men are more comfortable keeping their private lives private? If the point of the team is to “bask” in the (nonexistent) “limelight,” maybe it should require that each potential member certify to having “come out” before being accepted.
on May 6th, 2009 at 5:21 PM
SFTom,
There are 2 reasons for coming out:
1. The closet is a terrible place. You can’t be HONEST. Oftentimes, you have to LIE.
2. People/society can’t/won’t change until people see that we’re no different than they are. They can’t see that if you’re in the closet.
I understand that coming out may not be a viable option in the workplace, and there is a fear of losing family & friends.
But you can’t let others do the work of changing people/society for you. You have to do YOUR part as well.
on May 6th, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Joe:
Your first point is not univerally true (study the available literature), and it is a personal choice in any event.
I disagree that an individual has an obligation to anyone else to announce with whom they sleep. I guess I haven’t drunk that batch of PC Kool-Aid yet.
on May 7th, 2009 at 9:43 AM
Maybe when straight people stop “announc[ing] with whom they sleep” by spurning family photos at work and removing wedding rings, we can get in a discussion about tact and coming out. Coming out does not say anything about the specifics of your sex life. It acknowledges reality and treats the people around you like adults.
on May 7th, 2009 at 1:00 PM
SFTom,
Yes, having to keep who you are a secret and/or lying about who you are is healthy.
If you think that your sexual orientation is merely about who you sleep with, then I feel sorry for you.
Everybody has an obligation to help make society better. Don’t be a freeloader.
on May 8th, 2009 at 12:26 AM
the closet is such a wonderful place! wish I had stayed in
on May 8th, 2009 at 12:24 PM
One more thought comes to mind, based on my own experiences with softball and volleyball teams that travel and undoubtedly call upon family, friends, and other supporters to help fill a roster for an upcoming tournament.
There’s a very distinct possibility that all these players aren’t gay. I’m not judging, just sayin’…
on May 8th, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Joe wrote:
The closet is a terrible place. You can’t be HONEST. Oftentimes, you have to LIE.
SFTom replied:
Your first point is not univerally true (study the available literature)
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – -
I’m curious, please point us to the literature.
Thanks