Sir Ian McKellen Pings Anti-Gay Sports Fans

by Michael Jones · 2010-01-21 06:55:00 UTC
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Ian McKellenTwo rather famous European athletes have come out of the closet in recent weeks, and while that's welcome news for folks like Sir Ian McKellen, it's also a sign that the sports world is still way behind the times when it comes to creating a culture for out athletes to feel safe and respected.

McKellen, speaking to the BBC, said that like it or not, macho men and strong women have created a sports world climate where homophobia is persistent, and where athletes who do come out of the closet become "shrinking violets" in the eyes of fans. Not crazy about the flower metaphor (too many "pansy" comments during childhood, maybe), but is McKellen right?

"The world is changing, and sport is very slow to catch up," McKellen said. "When it comes to the business of simply being honest about who they are, some [athletes] become little shrinking violets because they're afraid, probably, of being booed from the terraces, and that must be a horrible experience and shame on people who do it."

We talk a lot about creating a locker room culture or a professional culture where athletes feel free to come out of the closet. But what about a fan culture? Could Peyton Manning still be Peyton Manning, if fans on the 50-yard-line were calling him a "fag" every time he threw an incomplete pass?

Folks like Gareth Thomas will be the ones who really find out. Thomas, a Welsh rugby superstar, entered 2010 as one of the most prominent gay athletes in the world, not to mention his reputation for being one of the toughest rugby players around. Fans used to view him as fearless, macho, and fierce on the field. Now let's see if they can picture him as gay, too.

Photo credit: praytell7

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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