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| National Football League Draft (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Sam is the first openly gay player drafted by the NFL. Let's be under no illusions here. There are and likely always have been gay players in the NFL. Some were still not out of the closet as it were and some preferred to keep their private lives separate and distinct from their public lives.
But are we really living in a 'post gay' world? I think not! At least not judging by public reaction to what is being called "The Kiss". The hug would probably have been just fine but I personally was offended as were many people seeing one man with another man's tongue halfway down his throat!
This is what bothers me about the whole LGBT community...they all seem to want to put their sexuality 'out there' for all to see!
Toronto, where I worked as a psychiatric nurse for years, is famous for its Gay Pride Parade. People come from all over Ontario, the other provinces and indeed from the US to participate in or watch this annual event. I went with some of nurse friends thinking that this movement which was gaining momentum was promoting a cause for people to dare to be more authentically themselves. Was I wrong! Men...old, fat, hairy men, naked and masturbating, ejaculating in the streets, not to mention public intoxication, lesbians (fat, old and hairy too!) grinding on floats and shoppers who had no interest in the parade accosted in the street. Police appeared unable to contain the cheering or jeering crowds, hustling little children into squad cars or nearby stores to keep them safe, often to the dismay of their parents! It was a spectacle which had nothing to do with rights and a total waste of a beautiful Saturday morning! My revulsion had nothing to do with the fact that the parade participants were gay, bi or transgendered and a whole lot to do with people behaving badly, in public and in front of small children who were likely confused and/or traumatized by what they heard and saw.
Do I know people who are gay, lesbian? Of course I do and I worked with many. Some were responsible, dedicated and sincere professionals. Many were not, preferring an aura of drama and unpredictability surrounding them wherever they went. Some seemed to have a 'mad on' for the whole world and were constantly mired in financial, professional or personal crises.
Do I have family who are openly gay? Yes, I do. It never bothered me that my favorite brother-in-law was gay and living in a committed relationship that rivaled many straight marriages. What bothered me was the fact that he was engaging in very graphic phone sex with his partner in front of my six year old son who later asked me why his uncle would want to "lick or suck anyone's dick?" Indeed...........
For those who believe that we ought not judge anyone for anything...well, it's a nice thought! For those of us who are more pragmatic and realize that we are all called upon to make hundreds of judgements every day and that wearing a pink dress as opposed to a blue dress IS a judgement call, as is eating spaghetti as opposed to a garden salad, I can only say, "That's life!"
I wish Michael Sam a long and healthy career in the NFL, two thing that do not often go together in the course of a football career. I also wish him every success in his personal relationships, especially with his family of origin. I also hope that he will learn to exercise greater restraint and discretion as he grows and matures both personally and professionally.
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