Boxer Manny Pacquiao, one of the most influential athletes in America, had some harsh words after President Obama announced his personal support for same-sex marriage. The boxing champ, who is also an elected congressman in the Philippines, bases his opposition to same-sex marriage on the Bible. Pacquiao, bearing a conservative stance on the Reproductive Bill [...]
Posts under ‘Politics’
The sports world reacts to Barack Obama’s marriage support and North Carolina vote
Political news of the last 48 hours, from the vote to ban same-sex marriage in North Carolina to President Barack Obama’s vocal support of same-sex marriage, has crept into the sports world with athletes and sportswriters weighing in. While it’s great to see all the love, in addition to the great support of two Houston [...]
Frisbees dominate a strange ‘Presidential’ political ad for Fred Karger
I put ‘Presidential’ in quotes because Fred Karger has no chance of becoming the proverbial dog catcher, let along President. The openly gay ‘Presidential’ candidate has released a soft-porn campaign video highlighting shirtless twenty-somethings throwing a Frisbee on a beach. We’re always thrilled to see sports and athletes make their way into the political arena, [...]
Brian Sims on way to being first openly gay Pennsylvania house member
Former college football captain Brian Sims took a huge step towards becoming the first openly gay member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives by apparently unseating longtime Rep. Babette Josephs in the Democratic primary for the Center City and South Philadelphia 182d district. With 87% of the vote counted, Sims had 51.6% (3,661 votes) to [...]
Brian Sims running for State Representative in Pennsylvania, primary on April 24
Brian Sims, the former college football captain who came out publicly on Outsports in 2009, is running for State Representative in Pennsylvania’s District 182. That district encompasses the city’s “Gayborhood.” If elected, he would be the first out LGBT legislator in Pennsylvania history. With the Democratic primary on April 24, he’s knee-deep in his final push [...]
Corey Johnson explores run for New York City Council
Corey Johnson, the former high school football player who famously came out of the closet in 1999, has opened a campaign committee to explore a run for New York City Council in 2013. He seeks to replace current City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who faces term limits next year (assuming she doesn’t suspend term limits [...]
Russian judge bans Pride House from 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics
Vancouver and soon London have both hosted a Pride House at the last two Olympic Games as a beacon for gay fans and athletes. A gay-rights group in Russia had hoped to host a similar locale in Sochi at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Last year they were banned from doing so by the Russian Ministry [...]
Chargers QB Philip Rivers against gay marriage, endorses Rick Santorum
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers endorsed Rick Santorum for president last week, specifically citing the former Pennsylvania Senator’s fight against same-sex marriage. Rivers made the announcement before the Republican primary in his home state of Alabama. Said Rivers, in a statement from Santorum’s campaign: I am supporting Rick Santorum for President because of his stance on [...]
University of Nebraska distances itself from coach Ron Brown’s anti-gay comments
Earlier this week, Nebraska running backs coach Ron Brown testified before the Omaha City Council that the Bible should be law. The testimony was in regards to the City Council’s consideration of a bill that would outlaw discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people. Aksarbent.com has gotten hold of a letter from Nebraska athletic [...]
Ron Brown, Nebraska football coach, testifies homosexuality is sin, wants God to dictate law
Nebraska running backs coach Ron Brown testified before the Omaha City Council against a bill that would protect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people from discrimination (video below). Brown, a devout Christian, bases his opposition exclusively on the Bible and says the Bible should be the law of the land. Some of the highlights from [...]
Ex-NFLer Craig James, now Senate candidate, says being gay is a choice
Craig James, the former SMU and New England Patriots running back and ESPN analyst, came out as a full-fledged homophobe during a debate Wednesday for the Republican nomination for Senate in Texas. A question during the debate centered around one his opponents, Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, having marched in a gay pride parade. James: I [...]
Former St. Louis Cardinal Bob Tewksbury supports same-sex marriage in New Hampshire
Former St. Louis Cardinals All-Star pitcher Bob Tewksbury has voiced his support of same-sex marriage rights in New Hampshire. He and his wife, Laura, live in Concord, N.H., where Tewksbury was born. They have joined Standing Up for New Hampshire Families to stop the state legislature from removing same-sex marriage rights in the Granite State. [...]
New Jersey Assemblyman Charles Mainor directs anti-gay Tweet at Philadelphia Eagles
There is so much wrong with what New Jersey Assemblyman and Jersey City cop Charles Mainor tweeted while watching the Giants-Packers game Sunday night: “We are not going to just lay down, we come to play,” the message read. “Who the hell do you think we are the DALLAS COWGIRLS OR THOSE GAYBIRDS FROM PHILLY…NO WE [...]
Former high school footballer Adam Goddard’s amazing poetry slam for gay marriage
When we first met Adam Goddard about a year ago, he was overjoyed to have found the Los Angeles Gay Football League. A student at Long Beach State and attracted to both men and women, he was struggling to find his corner of the LGBT community; As a former high school fullback (“the meanest 130 [...]
Moment #6: Corey Johnson’s story is told by Bay Windows and the New York Times
Part of Outsports’ series on our 100 most important moments in gay sports history. Football, 2000. OK, it’s is a bit of a cheat: This moment is really two moments that each elevated an important story in our history. In April 2000, New England-based Bay Windows printed the story of Masconomet (Mass.) High School football player [...]
Moment #43: Brian Sims tells his story nine years later
Part of Outsports’ series on our 100 most important moments in gay sports history. College football, 2009. In 2000, Brian K. Sims was the co-captain of the Bloomsberg University football team that finished the season as the Div. 2 national runners-up. He was also openly gay on the team. While many today still claim it’s [...]
British Prime Minister David Cameron to host reception to fight homophobia in sports
Another sign that times are changing: Conservative British Prime Minister David Cameron will host gay and lesbian athletes at a 10 Downing Street reception on Wednesday to help fight homophobia in sports. Openly gay rugby player Gareth Thomas, cricketer Steven Davies and straight ally Ben Cohen are among those athletes expected to attend. Missing will [...]
Carl Lewis is running…for New Jersey Senate. Will he address his sexual orientation?
Olympic superstar Carl Lewis on Monday announced his candidacy for the New Jersey State Senate. He didn’t shy away from the obvious double entendre in his announcement: “When I run, as you see my record, I run to win,” he said at a news conference Monday in Mount Holly in Burlington County. “I’m slower than [...]
Scott Schmidt running for WeHo city council
Scott Schmidt, known for his now-dead blog BoiFromTroy, is running for the West Hollywood City Council. Scott’s a really smart get-it-done, no-nonsense guy who could bring a ton to West Hollywood. He’s already on the city’s Transportation Commission and was elected the chairman of that board after just two years of service! He’s holding a [...]
Senate repeals “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
Really big and historic news out of Washington, where the U.S. Senate today voted, 65-31, to repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. A filibuster against repeal was defeated, 63-33, setting the stage for the final vote. The bill has already passed the House, and President Obama said he will sign it. It will [...]