Tag: gay athletes

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ESPN airs openly gay Pro Bowler Scott Horon’s celebration kiss with husband after winning PBA Championship

On Sunday ESPN aired the Pro Bowling Association finals in the World Series Of Bowling where the sports network may have made some history. Jim Buzinski writes at OutSports:

In what might be a first, ESPN this weekend showed an openly gay male pro athlete kissing his husband and they did not shy away from describing the relationship. The event was the 2012 PBA Chameleon Championship in Las Vegas, held in November, but shown on TV this Sunday.

Scott Norton won the event over Jason Belmonte and afterward broke down and cried in memory of a friend who had died. He was then shown kissing his husband, Craig Woodward, as they exchanged affectionate words (video below). During the telecast, ESPN’s announcers referred to Woodward as Norton’s husband or spouse.

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Puerto Rican boxer Orlando Cruz comes out

Featherweight boxer Orlando Cruz, from Puerto Rico, has become the first openly gay man in the sport’s history, describing himself Wednesday as a “proud gay man.”

“I want to try to be the best role model I can be for kids who might look into boxing as a sport and a professional career. I have and will always be a proud Puerto Rican. I have always been and always will be a proud gay man.”

Cruz, 31, began boxing at age 7, and his amateur career culminated in his selection to the 2000 Puerto Rican Olympic Team in Sydney.

Cruz debuted as a professional in 2000 and won his first world title (vacant IBA, a lesser title) on March 22, 2008. His next fight is Oct. 19 in Kissimmee, Fla., when he will defend his WBO NABO title against Jorge Pazos. A win could put Cruz in line for a major title shot.

Via USAToday

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Respect ‘the game’ by respecting all fans and athletes

“Respect the game by respecting all fans and athletes. If you can play, you can play.”

Comcast Sportsnet became the first U.S. broadcast outlet to sign on to the “You Can Play Project”, which fights homophobia in sports. Its “SportsTalk Live” co-hosts Brian Mitchell and Ivan Carter made a video which calls for the fair treatment and inclusion of all athletes.

Says Mitchell: “Athletes should be judged on their talent and character. Not on their sexual orientation.”

(source)

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National Hockey League players to LGBT: “If you can play, you can play”

Patrick Burke of the Philadelphia Flyers and Brian Burke of the Toronto Maple Leafs are joined by James Van Riemsdyk (PHI), Mark Fayne (NJD), Frans Nielsen (NYI), Tyler Bozak (TOR), George Parros (ANA), Brandon Prust (NYR), David Steckel (TOR), Andy Greene (NJD), RJ Umberger (CBJ) and Brian Boyle (NYR) to tell LGBT athletes: “If you can play, You Can Play.”

From the You Can Play Project: You Can Play is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation.

You Can Play works to guarantee that athletes are given a fair opportunity to compete, judged by other athletes and fans alike, only by what they contribute to the sport or their team’s success.

You Can Play seeks to challenge the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by focusing only on an athlete’s skills, work ethic and competitive spirit.