Do you think America would accept an openly gay athlete?

[Zyphlin]

"soft" or "hard" sports, they are still athletes. A female figure skater is still an athlete. Snowboarders are still athletes. Swimmers are still athletes. Skiers are still athletes. Runners, etc, etc.

Never said they're not.

However what sports tend to have "accepted" female sports stars that are more well known to the American public.

Hockey, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer

or

Tennis, Golf, Swimmers, Skiers, Gymnasts, Track and Field

 

[Psychoclown]

Zyph has pretty much nailed it on the head. For a male athlete the three factors are what sport, how flaming he is, and how good he is (both on the field and off). If a mediocre football came out and started acting and looking like that figure skater, he's going to have a rough time finding acceptance. If Derrek Jeter came out as gay, it would be a big story, but ultimately he'd still be accepted by a vast majority of the fans.

And I agree with Zyph when it comes to the double standard for female athletes. First off, female athletes recieve FAR less coverage than males. Most people can name one player of their city's baseball, football, basketball, and hockey teams. Those same people might not even be able to tell you the name of the female teams in their city.

And with female athletes, there is often a sterotype that the unattractive ones are lesbians. And if an attractive one came out as a lesbian ... well most guys have probably already played that scenario out in their heads.

 

[Fiddytree]

Those who follow the sport certainly know who he is.

He's only a three time U.S. champ. :roll:

Yeah....wait...who is he again?

 

[VanceMack]

If the professional athlete was a top tier ass kicking athlete that wasnt a swishy femme and went about his life and business and didnt tolerate **** about his sexuality or make a big deal out of it, I GUARANTEE America would accept him as an athlete and a PERSON.

 

[Zyphlin]

And I agree with Zyph when it comes to the double standard for female athletes. First off, female athletes recieve FAR less coverage than males. Most people can name one player of their city's baseball, football, basketball, and hockey teams. Those same people might not even be able to tell you the name of the female teams in their city.

When Ted Leonsis bought the Washington Wizards most people in town, including on sports radio, was talking about him as a "Two Sport Owner" now along with the Washington Capitals.

Apparently a vast majority of the town do not know anything about the Washington Mystics, the WNBA team in Washington that is owned by Ted.

 

[peepnklown]

Why does the person need America’s acceptance?
Oh yeah, it’s all about the masses destroying the minority.

 

[Orion]

I think they would accept a gay athlete, but a better question would be if they would accept a currently famous superstar athlete coming out of the closet. Most high profile people who are liked by the public tend to fall into disfavor once they out themselves, whereas gay celebrities tend to not become high profile in the first place, unless of course their rise to fame is entirely predicated on their gayness.

North American society has a difficult time right now with accepting homosexuality as a non-issue. In other words, if you're gay and you're in the media, then your celebrity status is related to your gayness. It would be hard for most people to see an athlete as anything other than a homosexual. It's still an issue.

 

[mac]

So, do you think America would accept an openly gay athlete? Or do you think they would be ostracized to the point of retirement, or worse suicide, or even be murdered?

Yeah, there's plenty openly gay athletes allready.

 

[spud_meister]

if american football attitudes are anything like aussie ones, most players would probably think like this

Akermanis 'gay' storm: activist demands apology

 

[Andalublue]

My question really concerns the 4 major sports, Football, Baseball, Hockey, and Basketball. Where it's harder to go under the radar. Say if someone like Sidney Crosby, or Chipper Jones came out would they be accepted?

The only pro athlete that is out and still playing is Gareth Thomas, who plays rugby, and he seems to be doing well over in Wales.

Thomas is doing great and is a credit to the gay community. Doesn't mean he's totally accepted by the sports' fans however...

Castleford Tigers fined for homophobic chants at Crusaders' Gareth Thomas - Telegraph