Gay Athletes Receive Mixed Messages from Media

Jason Collins, an NBA veteran who has played on six teams, recently announced he is gay in a soon-to-be released column in Sports Illustrated. Professional athletic organizations including the NBA and NHL have shown their support for Collins-reaffirming their policies of inclusiveness. Collins is the first openly-gay male athlete in the four major American pro team sports. The Human Rights Campaign praised Collins, suggesting "Jason Collins has forever changed the face of sports." This type of praise wasn't portrayed by the entire sports community. Chris Broussard said "If you're openly living in unrepentant sin, whatever it may be, not just homosexuality, adultery, fornication, premarital sex between heterosexuals, whatever it may be. I think that's walking in open rebellion to God and to Jesus Christ." Broussard can believe whatever suites him and his religion, but even the slightest implication that anything is wrong with being a homosexual is not only inappropriate, but also unfair and despicable. Professional wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins, Mike Wallace, tweeted an absurd comment in response to Collins' coming-out. Wallace tweeted, "All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys SMH [shake my head]." Broussard and Wallace demonstrate that the inclusive policies of professional sports organizations might not be enough to encourage closeted players to come out, so long as there is harsh criticism when players like Collins announce their sexual orientation.