» Name Change.
From a press release: "Sports Out Loud, the world's only gay sports magazine, announced today that the groundbreaking magazine will re-launch as Compete, beginning with its January February 2009 issue. While in the process of choosing a new name, the publishers of Sports Out Loud were inspired by Billie Jean King. During a conversation, King spoke of her toughest competitor being herself. The Compete name speaks to the common drive to overcome personal limitations in sports and in life." |
» Foul!
Orlando Magic owner Rich DeVos donated $100,000 to further ban gay marriage in Florida. And gay activists aren't happy about it, obviously. [Orlando Sentinel] |
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» Sporty Gay.
"Associated Press editor and author Bill Konigsberg, one of the few openly gay people in sports media, will be a guest at Vassar on October 5-6. Over the two days, Konigsberg will talk about his journey as a gay journalist and discuss his first novel, Out of the Pocket, the story of a gay high school quarterback." On a sort of related note, our editor attended Vassar, as did fellow gay blogger Andy Towle. [VC] |
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» Bob Costas on gays in sports
Bob Costas discusses the failure of the NBC team to cover Olympian Matthew Mitcham's sexuality and on what it means to be gay in professional sports. Costas seems completely relaxed and informed on the topic and promised to focus on it more often on his program. He said, "from my perspective, I think that these issues are more than valid. And if a person is already out and willing to talk about it, then certainly that’s significant in its own way." |
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Top team D2, which hails from San Francisco, found itself disqualified from the Gay World Series after a "review" found that six of their players were straight, a violation of officials rules stating a gay team can only have two straight members. The team's furious, of course, and plan on appealing the disqualification. |
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Here's some simply adorable video of gay Australian diver Matthew Mitcham - flanked by his mother and boyfriend - working the press after his gold medal win. [Via OutSports] |
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![]() ![]() Some of the Association of Tennis Professionals' male members are shedding their sports gear for more natural attire in a new calendar being released this Friday. While many of you are no doubt celebrating the news, sources tell us the US Tennis Association's quite displeased with the display, which they equate with porn. Prudes! Above you see Fernando Verdasco and Ivan Ljubicic doing their thing. Below: Tommy Haas, Juan Monaco, Paradorn Srichaphan and Dmitry Tursonov preen for you - and only you! |
» Proud Moment…
"Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo now has another winners’ medal to add to his impressive collection after he was awarded the prestigious 'Gay Icon' award by [webiste] 'gaygolddiggers'…" [Goal] |
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Having completed his mission, the ever humble Phelps said, "I wanted to do something nobody ever did." He also said he wanted to hug his mom. Awww. Meanwhile, did anyone see the American basketball team whoop Spain 119-82 yesterday? Could they be better than the Dream Team? [Image] |
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» Lagging…
Organizers of queer sporting competition the EuroGames are using their resources to highlight Olympic-hosting China's gay discrimination. [Cafe Babel] |
» Cheap Tricks.
A Texas minor-league baseball team will hold an 'A-Rod & Madonna Night' promotion tomorrow. The Grand Prairie AirHogs will sell $1 tickets to any couples coming to the game claiming to 'share an agent.' Fans can also receive $1 admission if they wear an Alex Rodriguez jersey or come dressed as 'any era of Madonna.'" [NY Post] |
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DR: It's thought that only one professional soccer player in the world has ever declared himself to be gay. That was the Englishman Justin Fashanu and he committed suicide a decade ago. John Amaechi became the first gay player to be associated with the NBA last year, but such declarations are extremely rare. In many cases homosexuality remains pro sport's last taboo. Word. |
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A woman's lazy parenting sparked a controversy at a Seattle baseball game:
The ladies also took some time to snap shots of straight couples kissing, none of whom were reprimanded. If only we were surprised… |