In An Unlikely Match-Up, Everybody Wins

The past decade has seen a plethora of pitfalls and victories for the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender community. In the past few months alone, this country has seen controversies over homosexuality and prom, changes in the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” military arrangement, and a continuous fight for federally recognized same-sex unions. One realm that often appears untouched by the social happenings of the LGBT community, though, is the sports world.

Rarely do we learn of athletes, especially male, “coming out.” In the last two decades, only retired pros from major sports (MLB, NFL) have publicly announced their homosexuality, albeit years after their competitive prime. Many Americans live under the assumption that the baseball field, the fifty-yard line and center ice are uber-heterosexual worlds; that players are of the macho, daresay homophobic mold; that ESPN and LGBT are at opposite ends of the acronym spectrum. In an interesting commentary on American attitudes towards sports and homosexuality, David Greenberg’s 2007 play, Take Me Out, explores what could happen were a fictional star baseball player to come out midseason—the hypothetical consequences are rather messy. If history attests to any one cliché, though, it is that nothing is a simple matter of black and white. Out of this resonating notion that the major leagues are a no-fly zone for the LGBT flag comes a hopeful grey area of change.

On Sunday, June 27th, the Stanley Cup, considered by masses the most prestigious trophy in professional sports, will have made its first-ever appearance in an LGBT associated occasion. The 2010 Champion Chicago Blackhawks will be sending the Cup, along with winning defensemen Brent Sopel and his wife Kelly, to the Windy City’s 41st Annual Pride Parade. The Chicago Gay Hockey Association invited the whole team to the event and Sopel volunteered to represent- much in part to commemorate the recent death of Brendan Burke, the openly gay son of Toronto Maple Leafs’ coach Brian Burke. 21 year-old Brendan was killed in a car accident in February, not long after coming out to his friends and family.

This may not be as grandiose as if, say Kobe Bryant were to announce himself a homosexual, but perhaps starting small is enough. For a star athlete (and a rough, renowned hockey player at that) to gladly volunteer his time and trophy to the LGBT celebration should be turning a lot of heads. For Brendan Burke, who was the student manager of University of Miami-Ohio’s hockey team, his willingness to be honest with himself, his parents and his team (despite being in the athletic spotlight) proves inspiring to hetero and homosexuals alike. The untimely death of anyone regardless of age is a tragedy, but from this loss a potentially culture-changing gain is in sight.

The sports world may carry a rep for being a traditionally heterosexual sphere, full of hard-hitting competition and unapologetic displays of testosterone. This is only one slice. Take, for relevancy’s sake, the NHL playoffs. After each bloody, teeth-knocking round, the skaters partake in the historical practice of putting egos aside and lining up to shake hands with the opposing team. It’s hailed as one of the most gracious showings in athletics. At the end of any game, athletes covet respect, camaraderie and an equal playing field. Perhaps ESPN and LGBT aren’t so far apart after all.