Tag: out athletes

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Triathlon Union Reverses On Rainbow Flag Ban

Out athlete Gus Kenworthy with rainbow flag (screen capture)

Out and proud athletes have often flown a rainbow Pride flag before, during or after a competition.

But last week, Outsports reported the International Triathlon Union, the governing body for triathlon events around the world, had effectively banned rainbow flags from being flown at ITU events.

The LGBT sporting site noted that the phrase “sexual orientation” had been quietly added to a rule about displaying ‘propaganda’ two months ago.

Part X regarding the general conduct of athletes read, “Athletes will avoid displaying any kind of demonstration of political, religious, sexual orientation or racial propaganda.”

The penalty for flying or displaying a rainbow pride flag could be disqualification and removal from competition.

At the time, a spokesperson for ITU told Outsports the language was “similar wording that is included in many other sporting organizations.”

The ITU has now reversed course and rescinded the ban on rainbow flags or symbols.

Here’s the new statement via Outsports:

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) is aware of articles published recently suggesting that our institution is banning the rainbow flag at our events, and would like to clarify our position.

The ITU has always stood for equality, inclusion and respect, and would never knowingly take such a decision that would infringe on the rights and freedoms of people to express themselves and banning the display of rainbow flags.

In light of the misunderstanding, ITU will immediately revisit the rule to ensure that individuals’ rights of expression continue to be embraced.

ITU regrets that this interpretation of the updated rules could have affected any person. It was never ITU’s intention that anyone could be hurt by this decision, one that was never intended to be taken against any group of individuals, no matter their race, religion or sexual orientation.

ITU is proud to be an organisation that is absolutely inclusive from its inception, and will continue to be so in the future.

It’s seems disingenuous to say there was a ‘misunderstanding’ when the ITU spokesperson clearly articulated the new rule to Outsports just last week.

Out UK athlete Jack Bristow (image via Bristow)

UK out athlete Jack Bristow told BBC Sport, “Banning the flag ‘for our own good’ is not a good look.”

“It wasn’t really an issue beforehand, so I don’t know why they introduced this rule and it seems to have backfired on them,” he added. “But it’s great they have responded so quickly and been prepared to listen to feedback.”

(h/t Outsports, BBC Sport)

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Boyfriend Pranks Pro-Wrestler Anthony Bowens With Hidden ‘Used Condom’

Anthony Bowens and Michael Pavano

Who likes to pull pranks on their partners?

Apparently, out pro-wrestler Anthony Bowens likes to pull some practical jokes on his bf, Michael Pavano.

For instance, last August Bowens unleashed some hideous ‘fart powder’ in a car pretending he had an upset stomach. The hunky wrestler recorded the episode for their YouTube vlog.

At the time, Michael vowed to get back at Bowens.

And so, recently, Pavano came up with a plan.

He placed a condom filled with some semen-like fluid under his bed. And after setting up his phone camera to capture the moment, he waited for Bowens to fall for his ‘joke.’

In the video, Bowens comes in looking for a phone charger. Pavano directs the hunky wrestler to check under the bed. That’s when Bowens finds the condom.

And the look on his face is a bit heartbreaking.

The discovery

Thankfully, for Pavano, the beefy, buff athlete processes things in a calm manner.

He asks Pavano about the prophylactic and Pavano plays dumb saying he has no idea where it came from.

Then he tries to pin it on his brother who might have used the bedroom for some playtime with his girlfriend.

Throughout, Bowens’ face shows his mind racing a mile a minute as he tries to process his ‘discovery.’

Finally, Pavano reveals the prank and the hidden phone.

But folks were split in the comment section for the YouTube video.

Some called the video “very funny,” while others thought the prank was “mean.”

“I did not think this was funny,” wrote one commenter. “I guess I feel relationships are hard to come by, and I could not handle something like this.”

Another said, “Anthony, you are about the calmest man I have ever seen – you have a good soul, buddy!”

Watch the video below and let us know what you think. Is this funny? Or not so much?

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Out College Football Player Jake Bain Sits Down With Ellen

Out college football player Jake Bain on ELLEN
Out college football player Jake Bain on ELLEN

Ellen DeGeneres sat down with out Indiana State University football player Jake Bain, who inspired the nation with his coming out speech during a high school assembly in St. Louis, Missouri, two years ago.

Jake chats with Ellen about his coming out experience, the support he’s received over the past two years, and his hopes to inspire other athletes in college sports to have the courage to also come out.

The handsome college freshman was emotional about meeting one of his idols, saying, “Can I first just say, before I came out, I used to watch your show, like, all the time, and it means so much to me to actually be here now.”

“You’ve done so much for the entire LGBT community, and humanity as a whole,” he continued. “It just means so much to me to be on your show.”

Ellen points up the good that Jake has done by coming out and hopefully giving other college athletes the courage to come out.

“It’s a really conflicting thing to feel really proud of yourself and good at something, and then in the back of your mind have shame or carry shame around,” said Ellen.

“If everyone had the courage to do what you did, then we wouldn’t have that homophobia, we wouldn’t have that fear,” she added. “And so, you’re going to inspire other people the way I inspired you.”

On top of doing great at Indiana State (full football scholarship, don’t you know?), the good news is he’s still with his high school boyfriend, Hunter Sigmund.

The boys see each other whenever they can since Hunter goes to school hours away at the University of North Carolina. So, Hunter tagged along for the Ellen appearance.

And you knew this was coming – since Jake can’t accept gifts due to NCAA rules, Ellen gives Hunter a 6-night vacay to Fiji.

Gee, I wonder who Hunter could take with him…?

Jake Bain on ELLEN
Jake Bain on ELLEN

(h/t Outsports)

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India: Transgender Man Makes History Coming In 2nd In Bodybuilding Competition

Aryan Pasha, an Indian transgender man, made history this weekend when he came in second at the Musclemania bodybuilding competition held in Delhi.
Aryan Pasha (image via Facebook)

Aryan Pasha, an Indian transgender man, made history this weekend when he came in second at the Musclemania bodybuilding competition held in Delhi.

Musclemania is one of the world’s largest natural bodybuilding organizations with several categories (fitness, sports model, physique and natural bodybuilding).

After training for a year, Pasha competed in the Men’s Physique (Short) category.

Pasha, who transitioned at 18-years-old, tells Gaylaxy Mag that he’s had an interest in bodybuilding since a young age. And when he discovered a bodybuilding competition for transgender men held in the United States, he began training for it.

But he was unfortunately denied a visa to travel to the U.S.

Undeterred, he decided to enter the Musclemania event in India in the men’s category.

Buoyed by the full support of his family and members of his gym, Pasha competed this past Saturday in a field of 125 contestants.

“It was my dream to participate in Men’s category,” Pasha told Gaylaxy. “Till now I have won medals in female category but this is what I actually wanted in my life – to complete with other men.”

“I enjoyed every second when I was on stage because this is what I dreamt of,” he added. “I was not nervous at all and just wanted to complete poses like a champion.”

Pasha, who works as a lawyer, says he will next take part in the the International Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (IBFF) event to be held in February.

That competition features categories for “men” and “transmen.” Pasha intends on competing in both categories.

He says his ultimate goal is to compete at the world level.

(h/t GaylaxyMag)

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Top Ranked Djokovic Wouldn’t Have A Problem With An Out Pro Tennis Player

Novak Djokovic (image via WikiMedia)

The top ranked male tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic, says he would support the coming out of a male pro tennis player.

Outsports reports that after his round-robin win at the the ATP World Tour Finals in London earlier this month, Djokovic told reporters he would see a fellow player coming out as a “courageous move.”

Although there are several female professional tennis player both past and present, no professional male player has come out publicly at this time.

When asked what his reaction would be to a player coming out, the 14-time grand slam champion said, “I wouldn’t have anything against that, absolutely.”

“It’s everybody’s right to have sexual orientation as they desire, any kind of direction in life they desire,” he replied. “I respect it.”

The Serbian did acknowledge that while he doesn’t “see people differently if they come out like that,” he was quick to add that “certain parts of the world are not ready to accept that.”

He would know. His native country of Serbia has a troubled past when it comes to LGBTQ rights and protections.

Although Serbia has an openly gay Prime Minister, Ana Brnabić, the country offers no legal recognition for same-sex relationships and adoption by gay couples isn’t allowed.

In fact, it wasn’t until 1994 that the country reversed its laws making homosexuality illegal.

Djokovic, however, has a much more LGBTQ-friendly history.

Gay Star News points up an episode at the 2012 US Open when, during a practice session, a young boy asked the superstar to marry him.

With a warm smile, Djokovic laughed, shook the boy’s hand and actually invited him onto the court for a little practice.

Watch the ‘proposal’ and Djokovic’s reaction below.

And thanks, ND, for being a true champion.

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Former Dallas Cowboys Linebacker Comes Out As He Readies For Upcoming Wedding

Jeff Rohrer (L) and Joshua Ross (R) (photo: Allen Zeki)

Jeff Rohrer, a former Dallas Cowboys linebacker from 1982 to 1988, will marry his partner of two years, Joshua Ross, this Sunday in California.

In doing so, Rohrer will become the first NFL player – past or present – to celebrate a same-sex marriage.

Rohrer came out in an emotional interview with Outsports’ Cyd Zeigler this week, and in doing so shared the emotional impact the acceptance of his former teammates has made.

Zeigler writes that the 59-year-old had to pause several times as waves of gratitude washed over him talking about how supportive his football family has been as he’s shared this part of his life with them.

”The kindness of my friends and my family and my teammates,” Rohrer told Outsports, pausing due to the weight of the emotion. “It’s just been fucking ridiculous how nice they have been, and how supportive. And how they don’t care about any of that. They just love me, they always have. Nothing’s changed. Nothing’s changed.”

”To know that at a time like this, that they have my back, it’s fucking amazing,” said the 59-year-old. “I never expected it. I figured the world is fucked, but it’s not. It’s amazing. It’s fucking amazing.”

While the reception to his coming out has been exhilarating, it’s a complete 180 degree flip from his days in the NFL.

A second round draft pick in 1982, Rohrer played in 83 games over six seasons for the Cowboys. The entire time he hid his sexuality from his teammates.

“If I had told the Dallas Cowboys in the 1980s that I was gay, I would have been cut immediately,” Rohrer shared with The New York Times. “It was a different world back then, people didn’t want to hear that.”

(image via Instagram/DallasCowboys)

Rohrer referred to his younger, closeted self as something of a ‘monster’ he felt he had to keep suppressed.

“So many nights I cried myself to sleep, feeling like I was the Wolfman, or Jekyll and Hyde, or Frankenstein, some kind of monster that only comes out when it’s a full moon, always living in the shadows.”

Now a successful producer of television commercials, Rohrer met his future husband at Tortilla Republic, a gay bar in West Hollywood.

He says he wasn’t out at the time, just ‘working in the area’ and was killing time so rush hour traffic could wind down. The two men struck up a conversation which led to Ross giving Rohrer his contact info.

Although he’d never dated a man before, he admits the feelings he’d kept at arm’s length for so long had become impossible to dismiss.

“My experience is that people are born gay, and anyone who wants to dispute that I’d be happy to have a conversation with them, including Mike Pence,” he told Outsports. “I’d love to sit down with him.”

Growing up in a conservative Southern California community, Rohrer says the idea of being gay “was not acceptable.”

“When I went to Yale, it was the same thing there,” he added. “And then I got drafted by the Cowboys. What am I going to do, come out then?”

It wasn’t until after Rohrer’s divorce – he has two children from his previous marriage – that he finally allowed himself to explore and express his authentic self.

“When I got divorced, I said the hell with it, I’m going to do what I’ve always wanted to do,” he told The New York Times. “Then I found Josh, and began to openly live the life I was born to live.”

Living that life has given him not only the happiness he’s found with Ross, a successful aesthetician and founder of SkinLab, but the courage to share his story with the public.

”I’m not going to change the world, but we can at least get the message out there that it’s OK and I’m proud of where I am,” admits the award-winner TV producer. “I’m not ashamed. I’m not the Wolfman anymore. My family and friends are 100% behind me. That kind of message can maybe move the ball forward a little bit.”

In 2017, Outsports’ Jim Buzinski wrote that 7 former NFL players who had played in regular season games have come out (Dave Kopay, Jerry Smith, Ray McDonald, Roy Simmons, Esera Tuaolo, Kwame Harris, Ryan O’Callaghan), as well as four more (Wade Davis, Dorien Bryant, Brad Thorson, Michael Sam) who had taken part in either training camps or preseason games.

Click over to Outsports to read Rohrer’s full story. You can follow Jeff and Joshua on Instagram at @joshuaandjeffrey.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

(h/t Outsports)

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Life Is ‘Jake’ For Out College Football Player Jake Bain

Out college football player Jake Bain is thriving as a freshman at Indiana State University
Jake Bain of Indiana State University

Earlier this year I reported on the huge success and popularity of then-high school senior Jake Bain of St. Louis, who had come out as gay to his high school and found widespread acceptance.

As an out athlete, the talented football player received a scholarship and spot on the Indiana State University football team.

Flash-forward to today, where ISU freshman Jake seems to thriving in his new school and with his new teammates.

Outsports’ Jim Buzinski caught up with the handsome 19-year-old who’s showing the world you can be an out athlete and thrive.

Jake tells Outsports that his life at ISU is pretty much like every other freshman.

Even when he Facetimes with his boyfriend, Hunter Sigmund who’s in his freshman year at the University of North Carolina, Bain says he doesn’t feel the need to hide his relationship.

“There are times when we’ll be in the dorms playing video games and I’ll get a Facetime message from Hunter and I don’t get uncomfortable with that,” Bain shared with Outsports. “I don’t feel a need to go into a different room. Everybody knows. A lot of the freshman I’ve been dorming with have seen Hunter and know who he is.”

In fact, Hunter has already been to visit at ISU. Jake has introduced him to fellow football players and everyone is totally cool.

“Hunter came up to Indiana State and I was walking him around campus and passed some of the football guys and introduced Hunter to them and they all treated him like they would somebody’s girlfriend,” Bain said. “They were really nice.”

A post shared by Jake Bain (@jake.bain) on Aug 14, 2018 at 11:06am PDT

It’s easy to imagine that Jake is happy to settle into the role of college freshman after a year that included coming out to the world, attending his senior prom with Hunter, and seeing his entire community support him when the virulently anti-LGBT Westboro Baptist Church attempted to picket Jake at his high school.

Even as he handled all of that with a sense of confidence that would seem way beyond that of a 19-yeear-old, Jake doesn’t seem himself so much as an activist for the LGBT community but as “someone who is willing to be themselves and show everyone it’s ok to be yourself.”

”I try and not put the spotlight on me but instead on the LGBT community as a whole,” he told Outsports. “There’s bunch of people like me, but they’re just not comfortable being out.”

And for anyone who might have worried about Jake fitting in with his new team, he says it’s been exactly the opposite.

“Football is one of those unique sports where there is a true brotherhood that is made, especially when we’re around each other for so much of the day, it gives us a lot of time to really bond with each other.”

“A lot of people assume that because you’re playing a sport like football that there’s assumption that it’s a very masculine sport, and obviously it is, but it doesn’t mean that my teammates won’t be accepting of someone who is gay. It shows how the tide is turning and shows how we have something special here.

”Football gets that hard rep but I think it creates the biggest bond out of any of the sports I have played.”

Jake goes on to share that several players during practice have approached him to let him know they support him and definitely “have his back.”

About the biggest challenge Jake seems to be facing these days is a change of position on the team. As a high school player, Jake was a running back, but his new coaches like his size and speed, so they are training him to transition to defensive back.

Jake had some trepidation about the switch, but it seems to be working for everyone.

A post shared by Jake Bain (@jake.bain) on Aug 5, 2018 at 10:03am PDT

In fact, last night Indiana State played its first game of the season against Quincy University and won by a whopping 49-0.

Before last night’s game, Indiana State had suffered a crushing 14-game losing streak. Last season, ISU was 0-11.

So, 0-11 without Jake; 49-0 win with Jake. You do the math 🙂

As we head into the weekend, let’s celebrate the Jake’s success as he shows the world that living authentically is definitely a great game plan.

Make sure you head over to Outsports and check out the full profile.

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Air Force Football Player Receives Standing Ovation Coming Out To Teammates

Air Force football player Bradley Kim

Air Force football player Bradley Kim took a big step out of the closet this week and says its as much for other young people as it is for himself.

“The biggest reason I want to share this is to be able to reach people who are in similar situations struggling with the same things I have struggled with,” he told Outsports this week. “I want to be that example for kids that you can be gay, you can pursue your dreams, and you can have an athletic career.

“My dreams got me to a D1 football program. I want to be there for people who don’t feel like they have anyone there for them, because I was that kid growing up in high school.”

And so it was that on Friday morning, Kim shared his coming out on Instagram, beginning with a Bible verse and that “God made me this way for a reason:”

While he had quietly told a few teammates over the past year, before sharing with the world, the Air Force Falcons safety came out to the other defensive backs on the team.

The reaction? A standing ovation. According to Outsports, the entire team, including head coach Troy Calhoun, had a reaction of full-fledged support.

“They tell me they appreciate the fact that I felt confident enough, and they meant enough, for me to tell them,” he said.

It was that unwavering support that steeled Kim as he posted his message on Instagram.

‘’I’ve spent too many years worrying what other people will think and letting it affect what I do in my daily life. And I’m kind of done with that. It doesn’t affect my ability to play football. It doesn’t affect my ability to serve my country. No one cares here. We all go through the same thing, we all go through basic training. What we go through going through the Academy goes way deeper than worrying about what someone will think.”

(h/t Outsports)

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Tennis Star Pulls A “Kenworthy” And Kisses Her Partner On TV After A Win

Alison Van Uytvanck and Greet Minnen

Belgian tennis star Alison Van Uytvanck had much to celebrate last week during her 5th appearance at Wimbledon.

The 24-year-old celebrated her qualifying for the octafinals by running up the the stands to smooch her girlfriend, fellow pro tennis player Greet Minnen, live on TV.

Earlier this year, the tennis star – currently ranked 47th in the world – came out after winning the Hungarian Ladies Open in Budapest.

At a press conference after the match, Uytvanck was asked if she felt like a role model by coming out and if coming out lifted a weight from her shoulders. Her response was spot on:

“I don’t think it actually changed something about that – being ‘more free’ or something. We just decided to not make it personal and keep it for ourselves. I’m happy anyway if it is with a woman or a man. I just feel like we don’t have to be ashamed of this. And that’s why I also want to be free. I mean, I’m not sick, I don’t have a disease but I feel like its good that I could come out as a gay person.”

Watch Uytvanck handle the question with ease below:

You’ll recall woofy out Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy made headlines around the world when he kissed his boyfriend, Matt Wilkas, after a successful run at this year’s Winter Olympics.

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Fans Greet Newly-Out Pro Soccer Player With Standing Ovation

Collin Martin of Minnesota United

Last week, Instinct reported that professional soccer player Collin Martin, of Minnesota United FC, came out as gay.

“Tonight my team, @mnufc , is having their Pride night. It’s an important night for me — I’ll be announcing that I am an openly gay player in Major League Soccer. #soccerforall,” wrote Martin just hours before Minnesota United hosts their Pride Night playing FC Dallas.

Unfortunately, Martin didn’t get to play that night even though he had been on the field regularly for months.

Martin speculated that manager Adrian Heath might have been concerned Martin’s coming out could have been a distraction for the 23-year-old. “Maybe he thought I had a lot going on today,” he said. “Obviously, I want to play, but most importantly I just wanted us to win.”

But on Wednesday night, July 4, as Martin took to the field as an openly gay man for the very first time, he was greeted with a standing ovation as his name was announced. Fans in the stands were seen waving rainbow colored Minnesota United scarves.

It was a good night for Minnesota as Martin’s team triumphed over Toronto with a score of 4-3.

According to reports, after the game the entire Minnesota United crew of players and coaches congratulated Martin with high-fives and hugs.

Speaking to The Athletic, Martin offered a word of advice to closeted athletes considering coming out.

“Be proud of who you are,” he said. “Just know that after a couple more of us come out, it won’t even be a big deal at all.”

In coming out, Martin became only the second openly gay player in Major League Soccer after Robbie Rogers in 2013.

He is the only openly gay professional athlete currently playing in any of the five major pro sports (football, basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer) in the U.S.