Guest SIFTR Posted April 29, 2013 Posted April 29, 2013 Finally, a first in USA. An openly gay major sports figure has come out breaking down the barrier the sports world thought was a long time away. Are there openly gay soccer players in Thailand? How open in the country to professional sports players being out? Quote
TotallyOz Posted April 29, 2013 Posted April 29, 2013 I loved the tweets that came in from Chelsea Clinton, Michelle Obama and others. Great stuff and it shows that the political tide HAS turned. IMHO Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted April 30, 2013 Posted April 30, 2013 Are there openly gay soccer players in Thailand? How open in the country to professional sports players being out? As far as I am aware, there are no openly gay soccer players in Thailand. But this would be more of interest to the Thai language media and perhaps those speaking Thai will know more. As to the country being 'open', we all know that Thailand is a highly conservative society. I think it highly unlikely there are players who would wish to be known as gay. The Thai movie "Beautiful Boxer" did tell the story of a real life Thai boxer who underwent a sex change and continued to box. But she was very much the exception. Quote
NIrishGuy Posted April 30, 2013 Posted April 30, 2013 I'm always torn when I hear about such coming out stories. On one hand on a personal level I'm always very happy for the individual concerned who, for whatever reason, whether that be on a business or personal level, has finally decided that they are ready and / or able to come out and be themselves. However on the other hand it always makes me slightly sad that for all the talk of equality and acceptance that's bandied about these days that coming out still even appears to be necessary in some way as if there was true acceptance and equality the basic fact would be a non issue and certainly not something considered that different or strange that it would justify such huge worldwide news coverage. But I guess though all in all the whole celeb coming out thing is still more of a positive than a negative ( I think? ) as it does basically reinforce the message that "hey look, NOT everyone is straight, some people ARE gay, so get over it" etc, but a small part of me still sighs in despair that there may even be a small perceived need to come out, which apart from the personal life validation it gives oneself is mainly after all just to assist society in defining you so they can put you in their little boxes. And I say the above as an out and proud gay man by the way and not someone who's playing the "my sexuality is no one elses business so I'm not for saying" thing just to avoid coming out ( not that there's anything wrong with that if that's ones choice - I guess) But the whole Celeb coming out thing - I just don't know - good idea or not - what do you think ? Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted May 1, 2013 Posted May 1, 2013 I think its a great thing. Please let's not go back to the days of Tchaikovsky, E. M. Foster, Rock Hudson, Michael Redgrave, Liberace etc. when gay celebrities hid mostly in the closet or married to throw the paparazzi of the day off the scent. Quote
NIrishGuy Posted May 1, 2013 Posted May 1, 2013 FH - absolutely ! I'm not suggesting that for a second and as I said I guess that's why the while coming out thing IS still a positive thing on a few levels to "state the fact" and show others its "ok to be gay". But as I'd said unfortunately I guess we still aren't just as far along that road of equality and inclusion as some people would have us think, such as the "why do we still need pride parades" or " what are the gays moaning about still as sure they HAVE all the same rights as us now anyway" type discussions that we DO still have to bother coming out at all and so define ourselves as "different" at ANY level - that's what I meant. Quote
Guest joe552 Posted May 1, 2013 Posted May 1, 2013 I tend to agree with NIrish Guy - those of us who've been out for years tend to forget that there are still millions of men around the world who can't come out for various reasons. So while I'm glad this guy has come out (both for him personally and the positive effect it might have) it's still sad that being gay in any sphere is still seen as something less than normal. A long way yet to go, I fear. Quote
Guest Devint6669 Posted May 6, 2013 Posted May 6, 2013 I thought the story was pretty Good, no regrets for him that's what I understand From what he explain on the site below, I have found site that explain why that he maid the choice to come out of the closet... I happy for him this is all i got to say.. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/news/20130429/jason-collins-gay-nba-player/?hpt=hp_c4 I had photo to this post whit that for the guy's that don't know what he look like. Quote
