Why we need to support our out athletes

Recent months have seen a lot of talk about out athletes, with particular focus on Jason Collins, the professional basketball player who is the first athlete to come out while still actively pursuing a professional sports career — in something other than figure skating.

Some question whether Collins’ status as an out athlete will hurt his chances for a contract now that he’s a free agent.

This conversation about Collins’ open sexuality reminds me of past conversations. Although Ellen DeGeneres’ career suffered setbacks when she came out in 1997, she has ultimately come out on top (pun intended). And Neil Patrick Harris is no less funny as a highly–sexed straight womanizer in How I Met Your Mother while he and his partner are extraordinarily out.

The best way to show the “powers that be” an out athlete is no less valuable to a team is to openly support our out queer athletes.

It’s known in the African American community: To see more films that are produced, written and directed by us, and feature characters who look like us in lead roles, the community has to show up. So, the African American community does so opening weekend.

I propose the same kind support for out athletes. The LGBT community needs to attend sporting events in big numbers to show we too love sports and support our “family.”

Can you imagine what would happen when the “big gay dollars” show up? Not only will our out athletes have job security, but the impact could ripple through to the semi-professional and prep coaching levels, creating a pool of out and proud role models for our queer youth.

Too often LGBT coaches–former college athletes who never came out but want to continue a life of sports–are concerned they will not be offered a job or asked not to return if they are out to the school or parents of their athletes.

These coaches and their young athletes (straight or queer) need to see that they have a whole community behind them.

Local recreational teams need our support too.

A friend of mine is a member of a gold–medal–winning all–gay hockey team based in Denver that won at the last Gay Games in Germany three years ago.

The team also plays in a rec league, against all the straight teams, not for fame, glory or money, but because they love to play.

The last game I attended had maybe 30 fans in the stands. Wouldn’t it be amazing if LGBT athletes saw true support from their community even at the rec level? Imagine: big rainbow flags flying in the stands with cheers: we’re here, we’re queer and we just kicked your ass!

We need to support LGBT athletes everywhere, bottom to top (no pun intended).

It stands to reason that would–be bullies will think twice if students have that kind of support. When the fans are behind a player, those players carry it through life, on and off the court or field.

So, get your game face on and get out there to root on our family members – become an athletic supporter.