Sheryl Swoopes outs herself
Sheryl Swoopes, probably the most famous WNBA player, has decided to go on the record about being gay. Good for her.
She’s also said she’s annoyed that no one talks about sexuality in men’s sports, but that it’s been a huge issue for women playing in the WNBA. She definitely has a point. While a few male athletes have outed themselves as gay, most notably former NFL player turned gay rights activist Dave Kopay, most men’s sports continue to be dominated by macho culture — Nevermind the often overt homoerotics of sports like football and wrestling.
There are, of course, gay athletes in both men’s and women’s sports at all levels. But, while female athletes are often assumed to be gay, male athletes are almost always assumed to be straight. Gay-friendly teams for men often set themselves up as alternatives to other teams (as is the case with a number of gay rugby teams), while a high percentage of women’s teams are just assumed to align themselves with queer culture. Strides are, of course, being made. But, there’s a long way to go — that 3-time gold medalist Swoopes was concerned that outing herself would have a negative impact on her status as a role model is just plain sad.
To read more about gay athletes and sports fans, check Outsports.