The Latest Gay Test Case
Feb. 23rd, 2014 06:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
penpusherSo, a lot is being made of Jason Collins Signing with the Brooklyn Nets to become the first ever openly gay athlete to participate in any of the "Big 4" team sports (NBA Basketball, MLB Baseball, NFL Football and NHL Hockey).
Of course a lot was made the other week when actress Ellen Page came out as gay.
There is an obvious element in these stories. The good thing, at least so far, the message has been positive in both cases. But of course, the world of sports is quite different than the world of Hollywood, and Ms. Page isn't the first to come out in that field. Far from it.
Is Jason Collins the first gay athlete? Obviously not. But to be the first to acknowledge that preference in an atmosphere of "being manly," and being on a team, and the classic issue: sharing lockers and showers? This is going to rub some people the wrong way.
The fact that we have to deal with this issue, now, in 2014, is proof that we are way behind schedule on our humanity. Where I am sure Ellen Page will have minimal, if any, negative effects on her career, Jason Collins is going to be a very special test case.
I really don't understand the overt hatred of homosexuals, just generally. Pretty much everybody knows someone who is, or has gay family members, or likes an actor, a performer, an author, a journalist or at least the work of homosexuals. The logic gap is, certainly in the 21st Century, incomprehensible.
But I know there's going to be reaction coming. Just as sure as Jackie Robinson got spat on in the batting circle in all those foreign stadiums he visited during his first year in the Major Leagues, Jason Collins is likely going to be hearing some nasty, thoughtless and cruel words from people who will say, shout and scream them just because they thought them.
I'd like to think I have faith in humanity, that maybe everything will go smoothly and that people will become more accepting of those who are different. But speaking as a person who is out on the front lines of "being different," I'm concerned. Yes, it's time for this to happen, but it also feels like people have gotten more conservative, less tolerant in the past several years. It might have been nice if this had happened while "Will & Grace" was still a ratings success, as an example.
But, looking at it all from a logical standpoint, it's stunningly weird that in a country where we prize, value and cherish freedom that people are still judging others in this manner. But, then again, people call President Obama the "N" word too. We still have a very long way to go.
Of course a lot was made the other week when actress Ellen Page came out as gay.
There is an obvious element in these stories. The good thing, at least so far, the message has been positive in both cases. But of course, the world of sports is quite different than the world of Hollywood, and Ms. Page isn't the first to come out in that field. Far from it.
Is Jason Collins the first gay athlete? Obviously not. But to be the first to acknowledge that preference in an atmosphere of "being manly," and being on a team, and the classic issue: sharing lockers and showers? This is going to rub some people the wrong way.
The fact that we have to deal with this issue, now, in 2014, is proof that we are way behind schedule on our humanity. Where I am sure Ellen Page will have minimal, if any, negative effects on her career, Jason Collins is going to be a very special test case.
I really don't understand the overt hatred of homosexuals, just generally. Pretty much everybody knows someone who is, or has gay family members, or likes an actor, a performer, an author, a journalist or at least the work of homosexuals. The logic gap is, certainly in the 21st Century, incomprehensible.
But I know there's going to be reaction coming. Just as sure as Jackie Robinson got spat on in the batting circle in all those foreign stadiums he visited during his first year in the Major Leagues, Jason Collins is likely going to be hearing some nasty, thoughtless and cruel words from people who will say, shout and scream them just because they thought them.
I'd like to think I have faith in humanity, that maybe everything will go smoothly and that people will become more accepting of those who are different. But speaking as a person who is out on the front lines of "being different," I'm concerned. Yes, it's time for this to happen, but it also feels like people have gotten more conservative, less tolerant in the past several years. It might have been nice if this had happened while "Will & Grace" was still a ratings success, as an example.
But, looking at it all from a logical standpoint, it's stunningly weird that in a country where we prize, value and cherish freedom that people are still judging others in this manner. But, then again, people call President Obama the "N" word too. We still have a very long way to go.