Slashing Homophobia
by Jeff Kagan
Homophobia in sports has been front row and center in recent weeks causing restlessness amongst gay sports fans over incidents ranging from professional basketball players Kobe Bryant and Joakim Noah caught on camera using the “f-word” (“faggot”) to an distasteful statement by ice hockey agent Todd Reynolds about gay marriage after New York Rangers winger Sean Avery released a public service announcement in support of it. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has dealt with each episode by fining the two players $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. The National Hockey League (NHL), however, made no statements regarding Reynolds’ comments, nor one supporting Sean Avery’s public service announcement. What are they waiting for?
While the NHL won’t take a public stand against homophobia, the GForce Hockey team will. GForce is a top-level ice hockey club that is working to create a sports environment where athletes and coaches are judged solely on the strength of their talents, effort and potential regardless of their sexual orientation.
Dave Farber, an active member of GForce, has been one of the group’s advocates for the past few years. “We've had some great panel discussions. Our most recent forum was for the College Hockey Coaches Conference in Naples, Florida where I was given the opportunity to talk to coaches from some of the highest-ranked college teams and really impress upon them how they can make a difference by actively challenging the actual or perceived anti-gay culture in collegiate athletics.” These discussions help breakdown stereotypes and address how to deal with homophobia, and may someday pave the way for professional gay athletes in the “big four” (baseball, football, basketball & hockey) to come out while still actively contributing to their respective sports.
Dave Farber, an active member of GForce, has been one of the group’s advocates for the past few years. “We've had some great panel discussions. Our most recent forum was for the College Hockey Coaches Conference in Naples, Florida where I was given the opportunity to talk to coaches from some of the highest-ranked college teams and really impress upon them how they can make a difference by actively challenging the actual or perceived anti-gay culture in collegiate athletics.” These discussions help breakdown stereotypes and address how to deal with homophobia, and may someday pave the way for professional gay athletes in the “big four” (baseball, football, basketball & hockey) to come out while still actively contributing to their respective sports.
Farber recalls being apprehensive about coming out while attending the University of Pennsylvania. He envisioned the worst, assuming he would be rejected and have to give up the one thing that meant everything to him: playing hockey. He soon discovered that his fear was misguided as his teammates fully supported him, eventually naming Farber team captain, a thrill he considers to be one of the greatest in his life.
He says, “I can empathize with those players who fear losing the ability to continue doing what they've loved doing since childhood. The dream is to make it to the big leagues, and you don't want to jeopardize that. Once players realize they can be themselves and also have that dream, we'll see some more pro athletes come out.”
The groundwork is being laid right now with professional athletes like Sean Avery and Ben Cohen, a straight professional rugby player, standing up against homophobia. Other athletes and coaches at all levels are acknowledging that the culture in professional sports is becoming more accepting. The recent coming out by Phoenix Suns President and CEO Rick Welts is another positive accomplishment, which will create a more welcoming environment for closeted athletes to take those few frightening steps out of the closet.
“If a professional athlete were to come out on a national stage, people would question previously held notions of what LGBT folks are really like and it would truly shatter some unfounded and ridiculous stereotypes,” Farber says.
This weekend, you can see Dave Farber in action as he skates with the New York Lions in the Chelsea Challenge, an Annual LGBT Ice Hockey Tournament now in its 11th year. The tournament will host twelve teams from the United States and Canada. The games are FREE to spectators.
More at www.gforcesports.org and www.nycgayhockey.org/cc.
June Quickies
Fast & (snap!) Fabulous: Four of the Fast and Fabulous Cycling Club made it through rain, grit and multiple flat tires, from Penn Station in Manhattan to Montauk on Long Island, in the 145-mile Montauk Century, sponsored by the Five Boro Bike Club. Congratulations to Bob Nelson, Chad Woodard, Patrick Chin-Hong and Erica Jacobs!
Run For It!: Congratulations to two Front Runners New York ultra relay teams at the new relay race, Reach the Beach: Massachusetts on May 20th-21st. Running 201.7 miles from Wachusett to Westport, the two 6-member FRNY teams placed 1st and 2nd in the Ultra Division, and 2nd and 3rd overall (out of 150 teams)! Hats off to “A Case of the Runners” and “Ultra Front Runners NY”!
I Stand Up With Ben Cohen!: On May 22nd, the merry men of Gotham Knights Rugby Football Club teamed up with British World Cup Champion Ben Cohen at Boxers NYC to raise over $13,000 for Ben Cohen Stand Up Coalition, the Gay Straight Lesbian Education Network, and Gotham RFC. Other notable guests of the night include dashing MSNBC anchor Thomas Roberts, New York State Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell, and wrestler/AthleteAlly.org founder Hudson Taylor who all came out to support Ben's campaign against bullying.
Duck, Dodgers!: After the most competitive dodgeball season Big Apple Dodgeball has ever seen, RF Lounge narrowly finished the season in first place for Spring 2011. Although after ending in 5th place for the season, Therapy came out of nowhere and clobbered the competition in the tournament and taking home the gold for the first time in BAD! history. With Vinny Maniscalo's powerful arm and Jose Aquino's nimble dodging abilities, Therapy finished the season strong and celebrated at Splash.
Passing of a Legend: Chuck Dima, the “Godfather” of gay softball passed away on May 23, 2011 at 81. Dima was the founder of the Big Apple Softball League which eventually spawned several other LGBT sports organizations. Learn more about Chuck Dima and his contribution to the LGBT community at www.outsports.com.
