Out to the ballgame

A couple weeks ago I wrote about the Pride celebrations taking place around the country this summer -- most of them in the month of June to recognize the historic New York City Stonewall riots in June of 1969. But if June was Gay Pride Month, then July is unofficially Pride Month in the world of sports.\nWe're already off to a good start: Amélie Mauresmo of France, who has been open about her sexuality for many years, just won Wimbledon this weekend -- one of the most prestigious titles in sports. Former NFL star Esera Tuaolo, who spoke at IU three years ago for the National Day of Silence, just published "Alone in the Trenches: My Life as a Gay Man in the NFL," detailing his struggles in a very homophobic sports culture. Even more impressive, Tuaolo recently made a presentation at the NFL rookie training camp about his experience hiding his sexuality. It was the first time the NFL has included issues of sexuality at its rookie symposium. And later this month, Gay Games VII takes place in Chicago, followed by the first ever Outgames in Montreal.\nBut why is sexuality in sports such a big deal? Why do we even need an international Gay Games? \nBecause the world of sports doesn't exactly roll out the rainbow carpet for queer athletes. Just read Tuaolo's memoir, or consider these incidents:\n• Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland has been on the hot seat for a while now for her off-the-record policy of keeping women she perceived to be lesbians off her team. A player she allegedly chased away filed suit, but the coach only received a fine and is still fully in control of her hostile environment.\n• Chicago White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen recently lashed out at a Chicago Sun-Times columnist, calling him a "fucking fag." His "apology" was of the typical I'm-sorry-if-you're-offended variety, although he did try to clarify that he wasn't talking about "those people." In fact, he argued that he really like gay people -- and the fact that he went to see Madonna and enjoys WNBA games proves it. (Stop, Ozzie! Before you put your foot even deeper in your mouth!)\n• When I ran cross-country in high school, there were two smaller guys who hung out together frequently and were perceived to be gay. The team relentlessly teased them: calling them "faggot," running up behind them during training and punching them, stealing and hiding their towels and clothes in the locker room ... I remember it so vividly because all I could do was take deep breaths and fearfully think, "What if they find out about me?"\nThese incidents don't even scratch the surface. I would argue that instances of homophobia and intolerance are still the rule more than the exception in the sports world, especially in team sports. Hence, the need for celebrations of sporting achievement, like the Gay Games, that can keep transforming attitudes. \nReturn to this column next Monday for more on the Gay Games and Outgames.