Poll: How is the media supposed to cover gay athletes? Not even the LGBT community knows.

(Getty Images)
NBC president Gary Zenkel just sent an apology to gay and lesbian viewers for not covering gold medal-winning out diver Matthew Mitcham's sexual orientation and back story -- responding to an angry AfterElton.com piece on the disappointment of gay and lesbian viewers.

But what we saw on Gay.com was a slightly different story: The comments we got after covering Fox Sports' deletion of all reference to Mitcham's orientation ranged from outrage at Fox for homophobia -- to annoyance at us for making an issue out of something that has nothing at all to do with sports.

So we want to know once and for all what gay people think: How should the media cover LGBT athletes?

Take our poll now - and include your opinions in our comments section!

Comments

[Kendall Binder]

The coverage of gay athletes can go either way. If a straight athlete's sexuality is not spoken of; then why should a gay athlete's sexuality matter? Well, with the opression and stigmatation of being gay in this country and other countries; it is important for athlete's who are gay to be noted in that sense. It shows the people around us in a straight world that gay culture consists in the sports world, the business world, and etc. It shows that gay people of all types aren't just over-sexed, opressed, depressed, and party-goers (which is how we have been portrayed in the media in the past).

[ryder13]

I would agree about it not being part of the story if it weren't for the fact that we hear -- even if just in passing -- about the boyfriends/girlfriends/wives/husbands/children of the straight athletes. So, either do it even-handedly, or don't do it at all.

[william st john]

Oh Please Mary, Like you could not tell he is a big sissy with him crying and his nellie walk?

[five_seven]

I agree with Ryder13 and that's my issue with it. Whether or not Matt is gay isn't the primary issue. What is the issue for me is the unequal treatment of gay and straight athletes. We all heard mention of US and other athletes family, friends, and significant others in discussion about them. But absolutely none about Matt's. Either do it equally or not at all. Gay athletes are not second class citizens. They deserve the same treatment as straight athletes.

[nu2bullheadcity]

What does it matter if a Gold Metal Athletic is gay, straight, or whatever. His perfect drive and highest score should speak for themselves, He is the best in the world at what he does best DIVING not being gay.
I am glad a gay athlete won but that should not over shine what he did He won a Gold Metal, they don't give out metals for being gay or lesbian. We are our own worst enemies when it comes to being sensitive about things that don't really matter. Come on we know he is gay and proud of him we as a community should coverage it in our gay news letters and publications, Who cares about what the straights are covering. LOGO T. V covered it and so did gay.com he got the communities recognition he deserves.

[gayincoconutgrove]

Matthew appealed for financial assistance in paying his boyfriend's travel to China; climbed the bleechers to kiss him and his mom; gave his flowers to the guy; and repeatedly put his head against the boyfriend's shoulders while speaking to the press. Were a gold-winning hetero athlete (say one of the basketball superstars from the NBA) to engage in any combination of these actions, wouldn't they merit some mention in a piece about the athlete? Goodness, we got to meet Phelps' mother and two sisters.

[youandme]

Is this for real? The simpla fact that this is an issue is discusting. The Olympics are not about who is gay and who isnt, its about the greatest athletes in the world competing in the name of sport. Its not about who does who at thier hotel room. GET OVER IT. This is part of the reason why there are stigmas in scociety, someone is gonna whine about something like this. There are WAY more important things going on in this world right now!

[Guy]

All of you that think that it is just about being gay...you are SSSOOO off base...it is about what is going on in his personal life. We saw everything about other winning athletes personal life...why not his, (which was his boyfriend). The fact that they had to go online and get a collection together to get the B/F there is a story in itself. Spouses and significant others of straight athletes don't have to do that...they are sponsored!!

[tomriddlesmate]

I think in the long run, one's sexual orientation should not be made an issue, and gays should be normalized in society. But, in this day when we need gay icons, I think it is relevent, and should be mentioned.

[Esteban]

He shouldnt have apologized. It's stupid. It doesnt matter, whether he's gay or not. If its mentioned ok, if not ok.

[Radioriot]

I wish one of these bloggers would try to find out how Matt was profiled by Australian TV. Afterall he is not American... how did his home country profile and treat him? And for those of you that say being gay isn't a part of it...should athletes just be robots with no family life??? Hell, Phelps's mom is doing TV commercials now. They could at least show Matt's b/f.

And btw I thought it was so cute the way Matt gave that little gay hand wave to the camera everytime it was on him. None of the other divers even looked at the camera. I don't think Matt had any idea that he could actually win, he was just relaxed and having fun.

And to William St John, you may have noticed in the background that the Chinese diver who came in second was crying too. As for his nellie walk... go put on a speedo and walk on wet tile in front of a billion people on TV and that will cause your butt to pucker and make you walk funny too.

It's all about integrating gays into the community of man and treating them just like anybody else, showing their families too.

I love the fact that HGTV will use gay couples for their projects, but you will notice that the gay couples never hug or kiss but the str8 ones do.

[JJ]

I don't want people to just be concerned the fact I am gay. There is alot more to me than that. It goes for these gay athletes too. There are alot more important things than their orientation.

[Liontamer]

Wait . . . the only man to crash the party of the Chinese divers is gay and it shouldn't be mentioned? How silly. Talk freely and openly about his life. I had to watch the whole life of those tiny female gymnasts and their courage and commitment. Not to mention Michael Phelps, etc. So why not Matthew's? First of all being willing to be out and risking the wrath of the judges, not to mention the public, potential sponsors, etc. is deserving of a gold medal in and of itself. Talk about courage and commitment. And then to actually win it (and prevent the Chinese from getting that coveted 8th gold) . . . by all means share the full story. And let the world deal with it! Give us the full picture of what makes this particular gold medalist so special and unique, and the type of courage he displayed to win that gold medal!

[Liontamer]

Wait . . . the only man to crash the party of the Chinese divers is gay and it shouldn't be mentioned? How silly. Talk freely and openly about his life. I had to watch the whole life of those tiny female gymnasts and their courage and commitment. Not to mention Michael Phelps, etc. So why not Matthew's? First of all being willing to be out and risking the wrath of the judges, not to mention the public, potential sponsors, etc. is deserving of a gold medal in and of itself. Talk about courage and commitment. And then to actually win it (and prevent the Chinese from getting that coveted 8th gold) . . . by all means share the full story. And let the world deal with it! Give us the full picture of what makes this particular gold medalist so special and unique, and the type of courage he displayed to win that gold medal!

[Jimmy]

I have a couple thoughts on the topic.

1) Sexuality totally doesn't matter. It's like eye color or skin color... it shouldn't matter. Like the example given, however, it wouldn't be inappropriate to say something casual in a moment of intimacy caught on camera.

HOWEVER...

2) Until we reach a level of "diversity"... TRUE DIVERSITY... in this country, I think having the presence known is only going to help the progression of acceptance and presence of "other" people as "normal".

[shawn]

the reason i wish it was covered more is not for me but for all the gay youth out there who only have fictional comedy actors to have as role models they needed to see this as their history

[corrective_unconscious]

>If a straight athlete's sexuality is not spoken of; then why should a gay athlete's sexuality matter?

Where do these lying, Republikkkan, self hating gay men or trolling talibangelicals come from with their creepily inane premises? And why can't they make arguments that even sound for a moment like they make the least bit of sense?

Maybe the bloggers writing for this site troll their own message boreds [sic] to ignite responses....

Athletes' sexual orientation is _always_ mentioned by dint of their dating or wives or children...so long as the athletes in question are str8. Get a fcking clue.

[Gabriel]

Well well boys glad to see the community not banding behind the issue that faces all of us. and that issue is opression of rights and egual treatment, true this guy wasn't American so I realy don't see the importance of covering his back story in depth but a nice blurb to mention his loved ones including his boyfriend would have been awsome but we weren't even given that. It's amazing to me to see howmany of us have become som misdirected by the media and poular culture myself included. but I chose to wake up and recognize the reality we gays lesbians have hardly any rights in this country. Oh sure they'll let us go out and work for tem design thier clothes and houses and even give us a chance to make over thier hideous husbands but they deny us the very same rights that they hold so dear they say they are our friends and say the are oen to our lifstyle but as soon as you bring up marriage you can see the attitude change as if we asked to consume thier first born wheather you plan getting married to our partners or not we still deserve the right to choose for ourselves and oh yes my friends the issue goes beyond marriage. it streatches to evry part of our futures this Olympic thing is just antoher shinig example of how this country presents a face of justice and openess to the world but here at home we see the face of scorn and hate. don't belive me? just look at how many other countries treat thier homosexual population, A merica is sadly behind Time to wake up.

[Scott]

Honestly, I don't care who is gay and who is str8. It has no baring on why they won or why I watched. I watched because I wanted to see America win. I don't care that a guy from another country won gold and is gay and his lover boy wasnt shown on tv or talked to. Its another country, and has no impact on the US. They are there cause they are good atheletes. Stop focusig on the BS of orientation. It shouldn't be the focus during the Olympics. I dont care what happens in the bedroom, it shouldn't be public.

[Mike XQ28Guy]

If the entire Phelps family can be cameo'ed then why can't Matthew Mitcham's partner? I'm so tired of taking the back seat in this hetero-oriented society. I wonder when people will get a life & not worry who's in my home/life/bed.

[Jeff]

I think everyone should just chill out. I think this article is stupid. The first article was complaining about how they never mentioned his sexuality. Now this second one is saying they APOLOGIZED, but now you're saying that you're basically upset that they are broadcasting his open sexuality. What do you want? Should they or shouldn't they broadcast it? Make up your mind because now the voice of the gays/lesbians sound like drama queens, and we can't be satisfied.

I don't think it matters if they say it or not. If they do then it sounds like they are saying "Oh gays can be talented like straight people!" If they don't say anything then what's the difference. It doesn't matter if you're a gay/straight athlete. Both have the abilities and competence that the other has.

[Andrew]

WELL IM AUSTRALIAN....WE ALWAYS DO THING BETTER

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE !!!

for far too long gay men have been writen out of history. the straight media wants to silence us , and put the genie back into the bottle . I say NOT NOW, NOT TORORROW, NOT EVER!!

say it loud , say it QUEER !!!

Congrats MATT....may see you on the dance floor at Arq in the next few weeks.
cheers from sunny Sydney!

[Javier Miranda]

Esta discusión generada por la homofobia de los medios, es una muestra mas de la intransigencia de la sociedad tanto en países de primer mundo como en el resto de el. Cuando un atleta se inscribe en las pruebas Olímpicas, estoy seguro que lo único que le piden llenar es una solicitud donde seleccionara su genero MASCULINO o FEMENINO pero no la preferencia.
Debemos seguir exigiendo el reconocimiento de la persona, aun no estamos preparados en ninguna parte del mundo para exigir derecho a matrimonio o adopción de menores. Ojala llegue el día en el cual podamos ser un miembro de la sociedad sin cuestionar si se duerme boca abajo o boca arriba y mas si alguien que te abraza al dormir es de tu mismo sexo.
Derechos iguales a lesbianas y homosexuales.

[neocor]

Honestly, unless stated otherwise all those athletes are there to compete, not to fight as activists for any sort of rights. Just as much as I don't need to know if someone was muslim or christian. So I think being gay is one of the things that do define a person in it's whole, but I think they're there to present the excellence in a certain sport.
Tho as far as the media and sport coverages go, as to my experience, they always do like to add in a personal note especially about the winners. It's not so rare that the camera shows his/her closest support and commentators do explain who's on the screen. Also if someone is THE ONLY openly gay man it does represent a piece of interesting information. May I remind you that at 2000 Sydney Olympic Games Cathy Freeman was the one to light the flame and she was a gold medalist and media had no problem depicting her as the only gold medalist of Aboriginal descent. So my firm belief is that it is ok to mention that someone is the only openly gay man, because it's interesting, as long as it's secondary to the extraordinary achievement in one's discipline and as long as it is interesting. If we had two hunderd openly gay men competing I think no one would be interested if the winner was gay or not. In this case, yes, I do think that when appropriate and according to the rules of journalist profession it is ok to mention some interesting private information the competitor has already made public.

[Ron H.]

I want to preface this comment by noting that it is in no way intended to detract from Matthew Mitcham's amazing success in Beijing. I was jumping up and down like a crazy man when he won the gold medal. However, can we for once cut the "woe is me" crap and self-created homophobia? Can gay bloggers do us all a favor and THINK BEFORE THEY BLOG? Sorry folks, the vast majority of people are NOT gay. Now, I know it might be a bitter pill for some of us to swallow but, for upwards of 90% of this country, GAY is not the center of their universe and neither are we. Most of the people I have talked to, gay and straight, STILL have no idea who Matthew Mitcham is, who he sleeps with or that he won anything. Let's be honest, going into the Olympics, he was little known outside of Australia and even there was considered a long shot for making into the finals, much less winning a medal. What little news there was about him outside of Oz centered on his coming out. Sure, he was on the cover of The Advocate but have you checked their circulation numbers? Most of your gay friends don't read it, much less the rest of the world. In his first event, Mitcham lived up to his "hype" and tanked...badly. He became little more than a footnote (even on this site) until his stunning upset in his second event. Because there were no U.S. swimmers in the platform finals, NBC relegated the coverage to the wee hours of the morning. Why, if the network had almost no interest in the event in the first place, would we expect them to suddenly lavish extensive coverage on a non-American gold medal winner and move heaven and earth to point out that he happens to be gay? Aside from the fact that Mitcham himself would hate that angle, why would any thinking gay person need it to be the headline? There are literally hundreds of compelling stories from athletes of other countries that we never hear about during U.S. based coverage of The Games. Now, I can see an intelligent debate about the fairness of that but why should we expect Mitcham to be treated any better by NBC just because of his sexual orientation? How self-centered and desperate for attention are the idiots at AfterElton that they felt it necessary to launch a protest against NBC? While I think it's nice that NBC apologized, they had nothing to apologize for. Sometimes sites like AfterElton and GAY.COM need to do a little less bitching and practice a little more humility. It might also be nice if they did a little research before they launch the missiles. Of all the things gay media SHOULD BE protesting about right now, this is so low on the list that it shouldn't even make the list. Last time I checked, we have a Presidential election to worry about and anti-gay initiatives on the ballot in numerous states. Let's stick to making waves about that stuff and leaving petty crap like this to those crack pots on the right.

[Luke]

Please do not type cast me. I do not want to be know as the "GAY" Diver. He is an Australian Diver who happens to be Gay. If ever mentioned, it should be done as a matter-of-fact

[Jonathan]

I work in broadcasting, and was involved in Australia's coverage of the Olympics and Matthew's win, The Seven Network which was the official broadcaster made no specific reference to his sexuality, but acknowledged in numerous post interviews the support of his his family and partner. The whole thing was covered with dignity, and indeed the Seven Network let Matthew speak in numerous interviews about his personal life. Indeed Australia has a mature approach to this... and respects Matthew's honesty and privacy. Its no big deal about his sexuality .. And Matthew is seen as a true athletic hero. I don't believe there was any homophobia by Australian commentators and they all thought his series of dives were amazing . Matthew gained enormous respect by the Australian public and his fellow Olympians for his achievements and honesty. Not one commentator had to say he was "gay"... but they were all moved.

[Jimmy]

Hi all,

I like a lot of what's been said here. It's a start to a good discussion. However, I'd like to point something out that I think is important in the above comments.

Although I commented earlier, I also like to take the time to REALLY read and process what all the other people commenting have TRULY said. That said, I'd like to comment on the fact that, perhaps, once in a while we should listen a little more to one another as a community. The lack of listening, and the amount of self-righteousness in the comments above is sickening.

I realize there are generational perspective issues playing out above. There are international issues playing out. Ideologies, etc, etc... are as diverse in our community as any other, maybe even more so. Anyway, my point and request is to request that we all try to have an intelligent conversation with each other instead of forcing out perspective down the throats of one another with a closed mind and sharp insults. Listen, process, and have a true conversation... not an emotional reaction.

Love ya'll... mean it.

[Bud Evans]

Only mention the word “Gay” and the corporate-controlled media runs the other way like a vampire being chased by someone with garlic breath. Witness how proud and out gay Olympic Gold Metal Champion, diver Matthew Mitcham, got the quick snub while closet-cases (who shall remain unnamed, for now) were all peppered with the incessantly lame “who’s your girl-friend?” haranguing from the hetero-centric press; even when these athletes repeatedly said they didn’t have any intimates of the female persuasion -- except for dear old mom, of course.

Witness also how the politically prickly “GLBT” word has so comfortably replaced all other once-disenfranchised minorities in the 21st century as an acceptable group to be trotted out and dumped on by pernicious Republicans and religious zealots, or relegated to a “manageable resource” to be kept quietly in its proper place as useful fools during each election cycle by our Plantation Masters in the Democratic Party.

No..."Gay" is still poison in the mainstream media and in politics. It doesn't sell well. And it's all about the brand you know. Now isn't it?

[David]

I can't comment on US coverage, but the coverage in Australia largely focussed on the amazing dives that Matthew did. There was as much mention of his partner as there is of other gold medallists significant partners. In fact it was all very matter of fact - just happened to have a boyfriend instead of girlfriend - no big deal. No hiding it, no shouting it from the rafters. What shone through in the coverage here was a very likeable, humble young man.

[Jimmy]

I'm glad to hear that David. I think that's exactly the way it should be.

[Herman]

Yes,It's true that Olympics or sport is not about sexual orientation..but it's also true that if no one talks about it straight people never gonna know that there are successful gays every where and/or in every job.
I'm from Mexico(and I know happens at other Countries)where everyone thinks gays are only hairstylists or drag queens.Time to change that!.

[peet47]

It's sort of ironic that the networks shy away from the fact that even Olympic athletes can be gay in light of the way they televised the diving competition. After every single dive that I watched, they showed the diver showering (suits on, unfortunately) to get ready for his next dive. Although I certainly enjoyed that, it seemed like a gratuitous display of young, muscular nearly naked bodies for no other reason than to titillate some viewers.

[sarge]

I don't see it as NBCs job to comment on an athlete's sexual orientation except in the course of an 'p close and personal' interview.

[Nathan]

I dont really think it matters what the media does, there are more important things to focus on.

[corrective_unconscious]

scott > Stop focusig on the BS of orientation. It shouldn't be the focus during the Olympics. I dont care what happens in the bedroom, it shouldn't be public.

That would be fine if the same standard were applied to str8 people, and it isn't, and you know it. Also, you confuse acknowledging someone's str8 or gay partner with "what happens in the bedroom." No one asked NBC to comment on who is the top, you lying, self hating cretin-troll.

Then you have posters who state blithely that media portrayals or media silence regarding gay people make no difference. Get off the meth; it's clouded your stinking thinking.

[john]

It shows anyone can win gold, compete, be like everyone else. He should treated the same as any other athlete, the interviews after winning the gold, the spotlight,ect.

[Liontamer]

So much small mindedness - we should only care about American athletes; what people do in bed is nobody's business; the Olympics is only for sport. Grow up! The Olympics is about the most amazing athletes on the planet at that time, the best human beings in sport - and I mean human beings, with full rich lives. Our entertainment is not limited to their dive or their run, but what makes them special, what factors in their life pushed them to their success, how they met the challenges to become the best in their sport and win the gold . . . and inspire the rest of us. Being gay isn't something that only happens in the bedroom. It shapes our lives and our choices, our views and our beliefs. Being gay is to say I am open and willing to be honest with my society, my culture, and demand that my life be respected and treated with dignity. And this brave athlete chose to come out at a time when gays are still second class at best, and in a sport where subjective judging can easily make or break an athlete. And in his doing so we should be willing to honor his courage and - as many above have written was done in the australian press - include it as the context and complexity of where he came from to steal that gold medal from the Chinese, on the next to last day of the Olympics, the Chinese believing their system could win every gold medal in diving. And he won with the highest score ever for a dive on his final dive of the night! He is a true champion, a champion of humanity, not one country . . . and his hand waves between dives was yet another indication of his commitment to engage us on his terms. What an amazing young man! And the apology by NBC is proof that the world, our culture, our society, is beginning to recognize our right to dignity and respect - as more of us come out and live our lives openly and honestly!

[afibrvr]

this is in response to: Posted by: jon ryan | August 27, 2008 at 10:31 AM What a pile of crap.
I can't believe I actually read this crap and then had to comment on it.
What the world needs is one more bitchy fag gossip columnist.
Good show Carter!

well, jon if u feel this way what the hell r u doing on this site! no one has ur ass here, but ur little fingers. it simply stay away,lol for sure that u r in denial, poor baby!

[JC]

Now I Fell that He is a Proud Gay Diver for the Gay life style ( of the USA). IF We Let People Keep Putting Gay People in back of the bus. then We as a Culture is Our Own enemy. If We as a culture are Proud of are gay Gold metal Winner then get this He is a Gay Gold Metal Winner No matter how you see it. If Str8 people can so puickly use the fact that we are gay Why cant we. Being Proud of being Gay and Wanting to Make Sure to show that Gay People Can Be Bad asses too is a bad thing then most str8 people should suffer the same it takes more ball to come out to the world then to a small local city,town, Mainly when They fight the gay community on the Right to get married. Now With him or people Pushing that He Be Known as the Gay Diving Gold Metal Winner and the Best in the World Only lets the Shollow people know that that is a USA Gold Metal Winner That dont have the same rights as str8 Metalist.

Now with that Said. I am Verry Proud of him and even though I think he is a hottie. I Would back him up and what ever he Would say to this matter cause he put hime self out there not me. now not saying I would not have I just Waz not in his Footsteps.

Now My GAY CLOSING
I be Understand that this is a topic that people talk about but if you Read. Then you will Relize that we seem to be fighting with our selfs insted of coming together. I Feel like my mom once said( if you dont have nottin nice to say then dont say it at all). Most of the gay guys that say it is Not a Gay issue are mostlikly the one that dont do what matthew Did. I know there waz once a Time another matthew waz openly gay but he got killed over it.

Times are changing but even if there waz a gay running for presadent they would try to kill him and once again they might really kill him Just cause he is GAY. So I say To all If we dont stand up for the Rights of gays Everywhere and I mean Everyone all GAY's and gay supporters. Then There are Still that chance that another gay will be killed cause of being gay. It is not to falunt Who we are but To help Prevent and Change The out come of the Life of ones that Life our LIFE our CULTURE.

Well Iam Done (God Bless you all)

Remember ONE LOVE
LOVE

JC

jc_4_woolee@yahoo.com

[MichaelDnTucson]

How about we ask Matthew how would like to be covered.

[corrective_unconscious]

lying moron > what people do in bed is nobody's business; the Olympics is only for sport. Grow up!

So you're calling NBC and complaining loudly about their reports of Michael Phillips "dating" Amanda Beard, right?

No, you aren't, cos you have talibangelicalism on the brain.

(No media story has yet mentioned what Mitcham does in bed. That's not the same as sexual orientation.)

[corrective_unconscious]

>How about we ask Matthew how would like to be covered.

He came out publicly, spoke publicly about his boyfriend and his boyfriend's support of his efforts, spoke publicly about the campaign to fund his boyfriend's trip to Beijing.

Are you on crack?

[rafael salazar]

I'm sorry but too many gay men and women are concerned whether or not the media covers an athletes sexual orientation. It is not conducive to Olympic games nor does it pose any relevance to the games. We should be happy that they are covering this subject now and having more intimate interviews with them to get to know these athletes better and find out who these individuals really are and what there about. In retrospect, if this man Matthew Mitchams was indeed not a homosexual, you wouldn't have really given a damn about this man, or wanted to have a more sincere interest in him otherwise. You cant expect the media to be responsible for covering thousands of athletes and in addition exploiting whether or not the athlete happens to be gay or straight. It's about what these people have done for their country and what grand achievements they have made. you would have to be a considerably selfish person to think of them as only a gay man or woman, consider their life's commitment to a sport and how hard they work,its practically their young lifetime . Then after that, then maybe you would comprehend their selflessness before your selfishness to contain irrelevant information about someone else's personal life,don't you have your own to worry about? Homosexuals are here to stay and i think were all proud to know that. But why think its outrageous to have this to happen, some things like creating a world community for a short time holds more importance than whether or not their gay, straight, a communist, a democrat, a republican,a woman or a man, or transgendered, during that special time we put our differences aside in order to find a common goal and good in life and come together, and that is the Olympic games are all about!

[Ben]

Although I'm not gay, I will say this from "another perspective."

Many gays, like everyone, want to be "normal," and are constantly striving from outside of themselves to be happy (which is what this is all about). Yet they also want to be different, as this is what this site is all about. Gay.com.

But few, very few, people understand that PEACE COMES FROM WITHIN, NOT FROM WITHOUT.-Buddha Gautama. Because, as some else stated before, many are unhappy no matter what.

I believe many gays subconsciously like homophobia or need something to combat and separate themselves in some fashion, as it gives something to strive for (or against).

True acceptance isn't labeling, all it is, is unconditional compassion and letting things go (including letting go of the letting things go).

But this is the nature of experience or consciousness or this wouldn't be in reality. For every Ying there is a Yang. So everything comes and goes...nothing has permanence.

[Andy]

There are so many comments I couldn't read them all, but I would ask if his story was worth telling. I watched a ton of the games, and for many athletes I never heard mention of their private lives. A Canadian diver got silver in an event and broke into the Chinese dominance, and I never hear a peep about his girlfriend of boyfriend. There are thousands of athletes in the games, and they're not all going to be profiled. Maybe he's just a diver out doing his thing, and in that case I don't see a need to mention his sexuality. If he kisses his boyfriend, say, "There's his boyfriend Jimmy." But there's no need to go out of the way. Doea anyone know if any of those Chinese divers have significant others? If he were straight no one would care if NBC didn't mention his girlfriend or if she paid to get there.

[Cameron the Angry Aussie]

Gabriel wrote:
"true this guy wasn't American so I realy don't see the importance of covering his back story in depth"

Just goes to show how arrogant some americans are. Only talking about "until being gay is accepted in this country" or "65% of Hetero Americans support gay rights for gay americans". I have news for you all, these issues do not just effect Americans, they effect the whole world and not all english speakers in the world have an american accent. How dare you suggest that because he's not an american he doesn't deserve coverage.

You INSULAR Yanks need to get it into your head that this planet is called earth, not america. Also, the internet doesn't belong to america, either.

And the americans who actually think of the rest of the world when constructing their posts, my love you will always have.

Incidentally, the Australian media has never explicity mentioned that Matthew is gay, except in his coming out article, although in interviews where Matthew has mentioned Lachlan, no attempts have been made to edit them out or try to brush aside his comments.

[corrective_unconscious]

>Doea anyone know if any of those Chinese divers have significant others? If he were straight no one would care if NBC didn't mention his girlfriend or if she paid to get there.

The US media don't profile "foreign" athletes (meaning, mostly, non English speaking ones) to the same extent, so your example is nonsense.

No one would care if NBC didn't mention a particular str8 athlete's boy or girlfriend because there's no blackout on the topic. There is such a blackout for gay athletes, including whether the gay athlete is gay in the first place.

Meanwhile, "People" magazine is profiling Michael Phelps' "dating" Amanda "Beard." You self hating, cretin, stealth talibangelical trolls aren't complaining about that. Why don't you ever explain your disingenuous double standard? (Liars.)

[Adam Aberle]

An athlete is an athlete regardless of their sexual orientation. I don't think the media should have to point out the fact the this or that athlete has one sexual orientation or another. Even though I am gay myself, I don't watch sports because I think I'll find out if someone playing the sport is gay. I watch a sport based on the enjoyment I get out purely watching the sport.

[corrective_unconscious]

Well then you better call up "People" magazine to object to their story on Michael Phelps "dating" ex swimmer Amanda "Beard". Plus all the other sports coverage that dares to cover any dating or any spouse of the athlete in question. (Hmmm, funny that all this coverage I refer to concerns str8 people. Hmmm, I wonder if you even have the intelligence to google "double standard".