Michael Sam and being gay in the NFL

[tele]

This is the best commentary I have seen/read about the ridiculousness of being gay in the NFL, from Texas no less:

[Christian Fox]

Brilliant^^. Michael Sam is a brave kid. It's a big deal. It will be a circus around him for a while and he's going to take some shit, then after a while...no one will care. Which is of course is the perfect result, and will make it infinitely easier for the next gay kid to come out.

[jitahs]

Way more brave than Jason Collins coming out while going out.

[GonaSovereign]

And I'd like nothing more than to see Michael Sam drafted first round by the Kansas City Chiefs.

[christian]

Nicely put.

[ABiCi]

Way more brave than Jason Collins coming out while going out.

I don't think this is a particularly fair or useful comment to make.

[Too Tall]

I don't think this is a particularly fair or useful comment to make.

Agreed. I'm guilty of this sort flip comment time to time myself and did so because I'm impatience and expect more from public figures especially in this case.

He is a strong man and will make a positive difference.

[HorsCat]

Chapeau to Mr. Hansen for that. In the beginning I thought it'd be more of the same conservaphobia but he sure proved me wrong. Hopefully it gets lots and lots of airtime. I bet there are many texans plenty pissed at him.

[jitahs]

I don't think this is a particularly fair or useful comment to make.

I disagree. See my comments in the Collins thread, which I believe you didn't participate in.

Fair? Definitely is. Collins is out of a job due to lack of talent/age, his peer group is longer a bunch of jocks, he's now working out looking for work for the playoff run. Taking a gentle poke at him while propping Sam I would say is the opposite of unfair. Just because two guys are gay doesn't give them equal standing in the bravery department.

Football has an entirely different subculture and one's sexuality is more strictly defined, the level of Sam's scrutiny in the locker room and in the public will be much more intense.

You could make the argument Collins help pave the way, but my gay friends have long rolled their eyes at the Johnny-come-latelies, having been out for decades. They're the brave ones, trying to be accepted in a traditional workplace, not someone who's left it.

When to come out has been a divisive issue for gays since the days of Harvey Milk. It's a personal choice and everyone has their own tolerance limit. I truly don't see how my viewpoint is unfair (when it's actually the popular sentiment among my friends) nor not useful, it only reflects my personal experience with a very large sample size. Look I've worked in the arts in SF for decades, I don't expect anyone here to understand but type I must.

Your personal experiences and viewpoints may be influenced by your peer groups and media far more than you may think.

[jitahs]

Agreed. I'm guilty of this sort flip comment time to time myself and did so because I'm impatience and expect more from public figures especially in this case.

He is a strong man and will make a positive difference.

I gave him props on a sliding scale vs. Collins - how is it that we disagree?

[nahtnoj]

Have you guys read about his family?

He's the 7th of 8 children, three of which are dead. Two in prison.

In terms of the shit this guy has had to deal with to get where he is, not really sure where being gay ranks, honestly.

[jitahs]

The nytimes article paints a grim picture.

This guy has a huge motor, apparently. If he works hard and produces being gay won't enter the picture. If injured, complaining or lazy it will. Jonathan Martin is a straight example of how any perceived weakness, like education, can be turned against.

Football will always be a Cro-Magnon sport.

[Dallas Tex]

, from Texas no less:

From what I've seen, Texas is far more accepting and supportive of this community than most other places around the country.

[Dallas Tex]

I bet there are many texans plenty pissed at him.

I don't want to thread drift, but where is this coming from?

[tele]

From what I've seen, Texas is far more accepting and supportive of this community than most other places around the country.

A gay close relative of mine lived in DFW for a few years and said it was the most un-gay-friendly place he has ever lived. This was during the 90s so maybe its better now?

[mjbabcock]

I don't want to thread drift, but where is this coming from?

I grew up in Houston, and it took a number of decades to learn why insulting another person shouldn't involve calling them a Faggot or **** or Dyke. It also took a while to learn to accept and love a person whose sexuality might not match my own. I'll admit that I grew up using the N-word and making fun of Indian accents. I was a product of my surroundings, and those surroundings were Texas. I wasn't down in fancy pants Sugarland either...I was down in Southwest Houston. I imagine that "Whitie-ville" was worse.

The state has a lot to be proud of, but the protections of a person's civil rights aren't one of the state's strengths.

[mjbabcock]

Well, based on this thread,
MEI 2013: See Your City’s Score | Resources | Human Rights Campaign

it seems Houston is way crappier with respect to equity concerns than Dallas.

[HorsCat]

I don't want to thread drift, but where is this coming from?

An assumption given Texas' uber conservative bent. I could be wrong, of course, and no aspersions intended against any texans not so inclined. For better or worse, I can't help but think of Bush II and Slick Rick whenever I hear the word "Texas."

[joosttx]

This is the best commentary I have seen/read about the ridiculousness of being gay in the NFL, from Texas no less:

An assumption given Texas' uber conservative bent. I could be wrong, of course, and no aspersions intended against any texans not so inclined. For better or worse, I can't help but think of Bush II and Slick Rick whenever I hear the word "Texas."

Dale Hansen is a man among boys. He has been a fixture in Dallas sports since I was a wee lad. He has always been an outspoken defender of people, persons and humanity. Nice to see the fella still has the wits to articulate and the balls say it.

This is the Texas I know and was raised in. Feeling proud.

[joosttx]

The state has a lot to be proud of, but the protections of a person's civil rights aren't one of the state's strengths.

Ever heard of a guy named Lyndon Baines Johnson.