In a week of tragedy, chaos and insanity (seriously, let’s not have another week like that in a long time), let’s end on a high note. We had a nice respite thanks to our friends in New Zealand mid-week. And now we’ll finish off with who will surely be your newest crush: Brittney Griner. Granted, she’s not new to many people – what with her being a record-setting career at Baylor University, her NCAA Champion in 2012 and her status as the No. 1 pick in the WNBA this year. Brittney is the second most leading all-time scorer in women’s college basketball, with 3,283 points, and the best shot blocker in college basketball ever, both for men and women, with 748 blocks. She can also dunk. And, oh yeah, she is gay.
After being selected as the top WNBA draft pick by the Phoenix Mercury on Monday, Brittney sat down with some of her fellow top draftees and spoke to ESPN Wednesday night. And in that interview, she casually, confidently came out publicaly. And you have to believe if she hadn’t attended a staunchly Christian university like Baylor, she would have come out a lot sooner, too. Now, there are and have been other out players in the WNBA, including Seimone Augustus, Sheryl Swoopes and Chamique Holdsclaw. But Brittney is the very first to come out at the very start of her professional career. Before the big money endorsements and jersey sales roll in. And this, this matters. It matters because as much progress as we’ve made toward equality, both in the court of public opinion and real courts, sports remains a sad stronghold of homophobia where few venture out of the locker room closet. The amount of internal (and external, ugh Chris Cullivers of the world) resistance to out gay athletes is still palpable. So coming out in professional sport, it makes a difference. Of course each person who comes out, athlete or not, makes a difference. But there can be only one crush each weekend. And this week it goes to the lady who just dunked her way out of the closet. All that, and she is a snazzy dresser. Love the bowtie. Happy weekend, all.
28 comments:
I was just thinking...what's happening? Everytime I look at the TV something new in Unites States is exploding or something of the sort, or poison letters... What is this, April Madness?
P.S.
I'm so so glad I found your blog a few years ago. I've been meaning to say this for a while, but anyway ;)
I admire you and you can be quite inspiring. I think I started my own blog because of yours...
So Thanks ;)
I'm 5'1...6'8?1? 6'8?! whoooooah, I'm so into amazing amazon women now:0
Love the suit, Ellen-style
I think it's important to clarify one point, because it really speaks to Brittney Griner's bravery: she was out. She's been out.
Maybe everyone didn't know, but her family knew, her friends knew and her coaches and teammates knew. As she said in her interview with SI, she never hid who she was--for the last year, she's had the NoH8 banner on her twitter icon. Deadspin described the situation aptly with their headline: "Brittney Griner Outs Herself As Already Out."
But what's remarkable here, and what's been unexamined by many, is that she did all of this at Baylor University, a school led by Prop 8 defender, Ken Starr. She did this at a place which has a policy prohibiting participating in equality advocacy. She wasn't just out, she was out in a hostile environment.
It's hard not to crush on someone exhibiting that level of bravery...
(and, yeah, she looks pretty damn good in that bowtie)
Want...so badly...to love this awesome woman...but...was born in South Bend. Sorry, but I can't have a crush on a Notre Dame crusher. My heart belongs to Skylar Diggins - but I totally support Brittney in theory.
Awesome athlete and classy individual. Not a big fan of the bow tie, though.
"...as much progress as we've made..."
I don't understand what you're trying to progress towards. Do what you want. Most people don't care, and you'll never make 100% of the people not care.
My problem? I don't want my kids growing up in a world that thinks homosexuality is OK. It's not. And your not born that way, you choose to be that way. I just don't understand why you can't choose to be that way in the privacy of your own home.
I never chose to be gay... But You obviously chose to be a moron..
The homophobe above has obviously missed that this is a gay blog that is going to be gay friendly. Take your bullshit hate to a Fox News blog or somewhere you'll be welcomed. We don't want you here.
To the Anonymous who posted at 2:03 PM:
You are so brave to come forward and give your opinion without fear, claiming it proudly and not fearing the consequences.
Oh, wait. You posted *anonymously*.
What a moron!!!! You even left it anonymously... Go be a narrow minded biggot in your own sphere. Quit trolling the GAY Blog n looking for a fight! Why are you even reading this? I hope one of your children is gay. Because it sounds like you would disown them and I believe they'd be better off without you! Hatemonger...
Dear anon,
Like you, I am also confused. I don't understand what your comment is trying to progress towards. Do what you want.
My problem? I don't want my kids growing up in a world that thinks bigotry is okay. It's not. And you're not born that way, you choose to be that way. I just don't understand why you can't choose to be that way in the privacy of your own home.
Dear Anonymous Jackass,
You are 100% correct. It is a choice. I wake up everyday and choose to be completely honest in my life. For me, that means not hiding the fact I am gay. I choose everyday to be happy in my life despite the negativity in or society (hold up a mirror, I am referring to you). So, you see it is choice, but not the choice you think. I don't choose to be gay, I choose to not let folks like you determine my self-worth.
Sincerely,
Someone you've never met, but seem to dislike
Dear Anonymous,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJtjqLUHYoY&list=FL7SBBoFgKZBi-4qaK7Nvn4g&index=1
Really? Do you think that if it was a choice I would make my life harder? I'm paid to deal with people's problems; kiss ass, smile and move on. I have shortcuts for everything (including doing dishes). The only choice is weather or not to lie to yourself.
Hi all! Anonymous here, again. I would just like to say thank you for all the heartfelt comments you left for me after my last post. In appreciation for all the effort you out in to those posts, I made sure I read each and every one.
And since you did put forth that much effort I will make sure I respond to each and every post directed towards me. Now, some will be more difficult than others so please be patient. I'll get to you.
But, before I get started I would really like to say thank you. Your true colors really came out in your comments, making my job much easier. The assumptions, the name calling, the "well-wishes" for my future children. All because I made a comment about my feelings toward how the gay community portrays itself.
I made no direct insults to anyone, and didn't even make an attack on gays as a whole. I just don't believe the BS you're feeding everyone, and wish you wouldn't try and spread your beliefs to a vulnerable society.
Other than that, you guys are great.
So your saying the best way to get through life is taking the path of least resistance? I'm sure if I go back and read the history of our country I'll find that I just overlooked theme altogether. My apologies.
For more answers to your questions, please see my response to "Heather_E" below. She's the last one in line, so it may take a bit.
Name calling...very mature. Even I'm biting my tongue on this one.
I was fairly certain I had stumbled on to a "gay friendly" blog within seconds of starting my reading. I found a link to the Griner (amazon woman...as nicely said as one of your friends below) story and somehow wound up here. You should actually be glad the blog was so easy to find.
As far as your beliefs that everyone who doesn't see things the way you do is hateful, a homophobe, watches Fox News, and I'm assuming a far-right republican...that's really sad.
Yes, MrsIpstenu, you are right. I should be open with my identity so...wait, so what? I'm not sure what a nickname would accomplish.
But you...you are very open with your identity. You should congratulate your parents for being so open-minded when naming you MrsIpstenu. I should Google you and see what else I can find out, but I really don't care. You're just another person with an opinion, and we don't agree.
More bastard children is just what this world needs.
My explanation for reading the blog is above. Like I said, you shoul be glad.
I think if I do have children I'll let you adopt them. You obviously don't have any of your own, and I can tell by the snipet above that you're an outstanding role model. And very mature.
I'm not sure what to say here, except...unique?
I'm not trying to progress towards anything.
Bigotry...I'm glad you came to that conclusion after one comment. Looks as though you're as stubborn as I am. And, I am stubborn, but that doesn't mean I don't listen to people and think outside the box. I'm just harder to persuade. Which I would think, as far as this discussion is concerned, so is everyone else posting on this site.
Bigotry has such a bad connotation people only think it refers to bad people. But the general public, and any minority faction, are exempt from this 'horrible' action. Everyone is a bigot about something in their life. You chose this.
This is the one I've been waitin on. Not because I want to "let you have it" for you "terrible ways", but you are the only one who brought up any good points. You know how to argue (and arguing is not a bad thing), and that's what I like about you.
This may take a while, so it will probably take place on multiple posts. I'll start with this.
No need to call me a jackass just because you don't view things the way I do. That's petty.
And I don't dislike you. I just disagree with your views. (Here's the line we've all been waiting for...) I've got gay friends, acquantances...I don't min being around them because they don't flaunt themselves for ring gay. They are their own person, they don't hide, they don't show off.
They don't only hang out with gay people (which, according to some comments on here it doesn't seem like I am welcome).
On the flip side, I don't see a lot of straight-only blogs out there. The rest of society is more open to the gay community than you would think.
Now, back to your "choice". You claim you don't choose to be gay, you just choose to be honest with yourself.
I'm an alcoholic...at least it's in my family and it's something I have to fight on a regular basis. I am a substance abuse, that chooses not to abuse substances.
According to your logic I should just be honest with myself? I am a substance abuser, so why go through life hiding from who I am? Who cares what society thinks?
I could make the choice to do something I know is wrong (because that is who I am), but I don't. I choose to overcome the hand I was dealt.
The way I see it? You did one of 3 things:
1. You convinced yourself being gay wasn't wrong, this you chose to be gay.
2. You let society convince you being gay wasn't wrong (which is where my opposition comes in), thus you chose to be gay.
3. You chose to be gay, not caring that it was wrong.
I think everyone goes through a point in life where they question their sexuality. I believe it was at this point you chose to be gay instead of following the path of everyone else.
I claimed I would read everyone's post. I'm not watching any videos. I'm sure it's great.
My favorite part of this article is how the author compares your fight against sexuality to the Boston Marathon bombing and the Explosion in West. Wow...
I didn't choose to be gay, I have just always been gay, and I'm completely cool with that. But I will always choose not to be a bigot like this homophobic person.
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