Rugby Player Keegan Hirst Comes Out

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Mirror, Batley Rugby League player Keegan Hirsh "came out" and becomes the first British openly gay Rugby League player.

In the interview citing his wife blaming herself for the couple's seperation he explained to her why they were no longer meant to be together to show it was not her fault for the breakup.

His wife, family, teammates and other rugby players have been nothing but supportive. As far as opposition fans and players who may now target him with "homosexual" taunts the 27 year-old says he can handle any abuse, "I'm comfortable in my own skin, probably for the first time ever". Welcome Home Keegan Hirsh.

I AM CAIT .. I'm pleasantly surprised

To be very honest when I first heard about the upcoming program about Caitlyn Jenner I wasn't going to watch. I'm not into all those silly celeb "reality" shows which are enough to nauseate anyone except those who like to stand and watch the remnants of  a motor vehicle accident. But this being Monday evening and nothing else on I figured I'd give it a go and most likely change the channel in 10 minutes as all it's going to be is one big poof (no pun intended) piece about Jenner deciding what wardrobe to wear on any given day.

I didn't watch the Diane Sawyer interview at all nor Jenner receiving the ESPY award on ESPN until after it was aired. Well  I Am Cait was one of the most enjoyable programs I've watched.

Behold The Champion Caitlyn Jenner

In 10 minutes Caitlyn Jenner has done more for persons of transgender than has ever been done in all these many years I've been writing about LGBTs.

She used her spotlight on ESPN's The ESPYS to bring hope and understanding to countless many, young and old, who identify as T.

She got applause in all the right places and a standing ovation at the end. Tears in the eyes of some and near tears in others. I was struck by the expression of Kiefer Sutherland when the camera happened to be on him in what can be best described as taking it all in and truly understanding that what Jenner and others go through to be who they are is not an easy road to hoe.

There was much speculation and criticism that this would be one big publicity stunt on the behalf of Jenner what with a new reality show upcoming and ABC/ESPN as a ratings pusher. And well it could have turned out that way but the winner in all this is the community of the T.

Minds will not be changed overnight, some will never change, but a more graceful champion of transgenders has not been seen before. No brow beating, no chest beating, no controversy for "the cause". Just an eloquent display of humanity, from one person to another person.

Boston PD Has Gotten A Bit Prouder

In this day and age of finding fault with police officers, granted rightfully so in some cases, how refreshing to come across this story from Boston.

James Moccia and Shawn Maclver graduated from the Boston Police Academy on June 17.

The two friends met five years ago while both were working security at a bar. Moccia who has a degree in fashion told WBZ-TV in Boston that even though he and Maclver had dreamed of joining the police department Moccia said he put it on the back burner until he was in his 30's and until the time was right for a career given the obstacles for some.

At the graduation ceremony Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said "there's a seat for everyone at the table ... the more diverse we are the stronger we can be". Why would Evans make such remarks you may ask.

Did I mention Moccia and Maclver are more than friends, they are an openly gay couple and Boston Proud.

Game Over For Michael Sam Perhaps

"If he doesn't come back, I would think football's over for him" says Jim Popp the General Manager of the CFL's Alouettes in an interview with the Montreal Gazette after Sam left training camp on Friday June 12.

According to the interview Sam asked permission to return home for "personal reasons'. Sam's agent Joe Barkett so far is providing no insight nor does Sam's Twitter account at the time of this writing as to what exactly is going on.

Sam of course became a sensation as an OUT football player giving great hope for many to put a face on sports players who are LGB but otherwise for various reasons need to stay in the closet.

But with that fame comes a confluence of unwanted spotlight for the teams involved. There was much consternation when Sam was to be interviewed by Oprah and then his participation on the ABC-TV show Dancing With The Stars.

It's been said that Sam wants to play football, well if that is true he needs to do so full-time as a player and not get into other distractions of hoofing around a TV studio and sitting down for one of those "The Interview". There will be plenty of time for that later after a career in football.

What he needs to do while he is away from camp is have some deep down soul-searching and ask himself "do I want to play football" or "live off my gay celebrity". Obviously he can't do both at the same time nor should he at the expense of which ever team he plays for.

UPDATE - it is game over Sam decides to give up football .. story from CBS Sports

Caitlyn Jenner Welcome To The "T"

The accolades flowed when the long awaited first look of Bruce Jenner transcending to Caitlyn Jenner came to view. But as she soon found out the accolades of congratulations can quickly turn to mean spirited comments from none other than the "T" which on many occasions devour their own.

One has to wonder if there is a "T" God or Goddess one has to bow to before "coming out" and in the case of Jenner in all her makeup and airbrushed glory.

If history has shown us .. the collective LGB  us .. while there are a great many in the world of "T" who are supportive of each other, there are those and usually the ones who are lucky to pass as ugly men in drag, it is the latter which have the highest degree of nastiness against their own.

To wit I say to Caitlyn when being assailed by them ... fuck 'em ! ... and enjoy your life from this moment forward with nary a look back. And if you can make a buck or two along the way hats off to you.

With your fame both now and pre-Caitlyn comes responsibility as your "reality show" can open many an eye and at the same time offer hope to those who are in need.

You've come a long way baby ... now go for the gusto which your life now offers.

Ian Thorpe Has Come OUT of The Pool

Unless you've been living under a rock this past weekend you know in an exclusive Aussie TV interview Olympic Gold Medalist Ian Thorpe came out.

Praise and niceties were the word of the day in congratulating Thorpe but that didn't last long as now of course as always there are those who fault him for staying in the closet in the first place or taking so long to exit.

How many times (too many for me to remember) in the many years I have written on this blog in its various forms and in my way of being a "protector", that those who find fault need to shut up and understand the old saying "walk a mile in my shoes".

No one is required to be on someone else's time frame as to when and if they come out particularly when one in the public eye.

I've oft said it's not what one needs to fear from straight folk in their opine but those within the LGB community and that is the shame of it.

So Ian I say this ... screw what everyone else thinks and has to say ... be happy and Welcome Home Ian Thorpe ... Welcome Home.

Jason Collins Has Opened The Door

Jason Collins wrote in an essay published today at the Sports Illustrated website and in the May 6 print edition that he is a gay man.

This is the big news in the world of sports today.

It is also playing high in the ranking of news events for general news media deciding what to cover and highlight in today's news cycle.

Why and what's the big deal in this day and age of greater acceptance of LG&Bs ?

After all there have been other athletes who have come out over the past number of years.

The difference is active pro male athletes who have come out are from other countries, those who have come out in US professional sports did so after retirement.

Today Collins did what many have been waiting for, an active player in the NFL, NHL, NBA or MLB to announce who and what they are in regards to sexuality.

Talking heads both in sports broadcasting and general news media have said this afternoon "because the (social) climate is right".

More importantly it is the right time for Jason Collins.

While Collins no doubt will receive some resistance from homophobes, the ignorant and those who really don't know their Bible, Kuran or Torah and how those books relay peace and love toward their fellow man, the outpouring this afternoon has been primarily of support and indeed praise, not just from LG&Bs which one would expect but also from the world of the hetero and the world of sports including those Collins plays with and the institution he is a part of.

The accolades will continue for several days, Oprah will now be seeking an "exclusive" interview for her not so watched cable channel, after all May sweeps are a mere couple of weeks away, and unfortunately Collins, who is the same man he was before everyone found out today, will now be seen as a gay athlete rather than just an athlete.

But then that is the price and image one must pay for being "the first".

As time goes on and more come out of the now open gay and bi male pro athlete door, the headline will last for just a news cycle or two. After which as when celebs, news reporters and anchors, and politicians first come out the pre-fix with the word gay will not be included except of course in the LGBT press and blogs.

Jason Collins came out today.

The world has not ended, the stock market did not fall and life goes on.

As I've done the past four plus years publishing Focus On the Rainbow I'll close with this.

Welcome home Jason, welcome home.

Sixteen Years After Ellen Comes Out

Sixteen years ago I was in my 40's and in the closet as a bi-guy when something extraordinary happened.

Comic and TV sitcom star Ellen DeGeneres came out, loud and clear that she was a lesbian.

It was still a time when those words dare not be spoken by many much less in homophobic Hollywood where for decades the LG&B kept the closet door locked not only by themselves but by agents, studios and PR departments.

Careers were on the line with the fear of the public finding out the true sexual identity of their favorite stars.

Many said at the time Ellen had just taken a poison pill in regards to her professional career as a comic and actor. That the life of celebrity which she so enjoyed was over.

But as they say the rest is history.

Perhaps it was the right time for the right person to declare who they are.

Perhaps we as a Country were, although still infants in understanding, able to accept that, yes there are queers that we know, even ones we invite into our home once a week.

Fast forward to today where this writer is five months away from turning 60, is no longer in the closet about being bi, albeit I don't wear it on my sleeve, and Ellen well she's doing just fine thank you very much.

I've seen much over these decades of my life, more than I could ever hope for being LGBT, while we of course still have some miles to go as far as total Equality in regards to law and religion plus total acceptance by the still closed minded.

While laws can be changed, religion and closed minds are another thing, venues of which after awhile it makes no sense to continue to seek change when change in those respects are futile and it makes more sense to change what and who can be.

You can't change the spots of a leopard, to continue to try is a waste of time and energy.

Over the past couple of months I conducted my own "social experiment" by inviting folks I work with to "friend" me on Facebook ... most would probably LMAO at now finding they have been part of an experiment. That experiment has proved one thing which I have written about several times over these past six years of writing.

I'm the same person you knew before you found out.

All, some probably twenty or so by now, have not changed their outward ways to me at work, and more importantly none have "unfriended" me on Facebook.

It could be said it's because of my age, the fact many are from a younger generation who are more "accepting" or it could just be that perhaps finally in the grand scheme of things, who cares.

As the old cigarette slogan went, for Ellen, myself and countless others, "you've come a long way baby".

Anderson Cooper Has Tied The Knot

Unknown to many Anderson Cooper and I have been friends for several years.

I received a call last evening from AC that he had traveled to upstate New York near Lake George on Saturday with the love of his life and the two got hitched in a very private ceremony before a justice of the peace.

Just a handful of family and friends were present as not to create a blitzkrieg of media and paparazzi as the pair said their "I Do's".

AC will be on "vacation" this week.

I won't mention where they will be spending their honeymoon.

Congrats to the newlyweds as they spend their first April Fool's Day together.

#SCOTUS #Prop8 #DOMA #Equality

This almost 60 year-old man decided a very long time ago I would never marry after almost having done so half a lifetime ago.

To be honest I have no dog in this fight.

As a bisexual man I can marry a woman if I choose.

As a bisexual man I can marry a man if I choose because of the state I live in.

However as a bisexual man I would not have the same legal rights when it comes to federal benefits, tax breaks and a multitude of other issues were I married to a man rather than a woman, nor would my spouse.

People get turned off when they hear the word "rights".

Then let's change that to, "I can too".

I'm never overly thrilled when federal, state and local governments stick their nose in my business. That's not a political stand on my part but a long time personal belief and observation.

However I also don't believe in others sticking their nose in my business, telling me what I can or can't do because of their personal or religious beliefs.

We have a great irony in our Country at this time.

We have more people in support of allowing people to own guns which can kill a great many people in one incident than we do supporting those who would like to marry those they love.

We have more people worried about their Social Security checks, Medicare and unfair taxing than we do supporting those who face unfair and unequal taxation and disallowance of benefits because of who/what they are.

Another word people don't like to hear is "equality".

Then let's change that to, "I can too".

There is more to the arguments presented before SCOTUS than two people of the same sex being allowed to marry.

There is a litany of issues afforded to those who can marry and what the Federal government defines as what is and what isn't a marriage.

Rights, no.

Equality, no.

I can too, yes.

It really is just that simple.

Elmo And The Emos Who To Believe

The fella who was Elmo on Sesame Street is making news again today.

This posting isn't about the news nor him but about using some common sense in life when it comes to LGBT youth.

I'm not a trusting soul by nature, I choose my "friends" carefully before adding them into my life either on a simple or more meaningful basis.

I've seen too many others get "burned" through "friendships" and have learned over the course of my life lessons of their mistakes.

So I would imagine over the years many have called me friendly but aloof for the most part and that is fine with me.

In today's world of social media folks need to be even more careful.

I have denied access to my FB to potential "friends" who I feel are to young (less than college age), in fact I haven't "friended" any of my "fourth-generation" cousins because a great deal of my postings and links to articles and photos are "for mature audiences" and/or in the case of LGBT links those who are mature enough to understand the content.

This is the world we find ourselves in today.

When I was a kid it was great (and safe in my case) to have an adult mentor. That can't always be said today.

Friending a youth today, even with the best of intentions, can become a double-edged sword if that youth suddenly turns on his/her mentor, which may or may not be the case with the Elmo actor.

One dosen't have to be high-profile to have their world turned upside down by accusations, false or true.

But I for one don't even go near the water to find out. The shame of that with so many LGBT youth being confused about where they are in life, they have one less mentor who would be just that, a mentor who would try to help rather than take advantage.

Tom Judson Lives His Life With AIDS

Tom Judson, actor, composer, musician and author has written a post at HuffPost Gay Voices describing his living with, rather than dying from AIDS twenty years after getting "that" call from his doctor.

The gay plague is not the death sentence it was so many years ago but with that being said there is still no cure nor prevention other than abstinence or taking sexual activity precautions.

Judson wrote his book Laid Bare which was published in 2011 based on his life experience as an legitimate actor, musician and yes of course his days as gay porn star Gus Mattox.

The HPGV writing gives one man's perspective who unfortunately far too many gay and bi men can relate to with honesty and thankfulness.

As he concludes in his essay, Sadly, I lost Bruce and most of my friends. I even outlived the World Trade Center. And much to my surprise, I was around to celebrate as the 20th century slipped into history. But I'd have to say that of all the milestones I've passed since that shocking morning two decades ago, the thing that pleases me most is that I lived to see Cats close.

Sam Champion Out And Is Engaged

Okay so you've read or heard about this all day on Friday but it's still nice to add this bit of news to the archives of this blog of those in the media who have officially come out as proud for all to see.

And another of de gay media folks who will be having nuptials in New York City as the state of New York became one of the few places in the US where gays and lesbians can wed.

So it is Sam Champion of ABC News/Good Morning America fame will tie the knot with longtime companion Rubem Robierb this New Year's Eve.

Champion and Robierb were among the guests of MSNBC's Thomas Roberts' wedding a week ago today and apparently seeing the wedding cake or drinking some of the fine libations brought about the decision to announce they would be getting hitched and of course in doing so he "officially" came out for more than his friends and colleagues to see. Let's hope Robin Roberts will be well enough to attend and catch the bouquet.

All we need now for a trifecta is for Anderson Cooper to announce he's getting hitched but we know how that was going this summer. But there's always hope for our beloved AC.

So as I say to all I write about who come out, Welcome Home Sam, Welcome Home.

A 9/11 Story ... Mark Bingham

There were many heroes on that fateful day in September 2001.

Firemen, policemen, EMTs and co-workers many of whom gave their life to help others.

And we’ve heard the stories of the brave and selfless act of many aboard United Flight 93 who must have known they were doomed whether they remained in their seats or acted as they did to overcome the terrorists who commandeered that plane which was speculated on it’s way to Washington, DC to create more mayhem and kill more innocents.

One of those heroes was Mark Bingham, a man who happened to be gay.

The fact that Bingham was gay doesn’t lessen nor elevate his status as a hero.

It does prove that anyone, on any given day, at any given time and in any given circumstance can rise above personal risk to themselves and act with great personal sacrifice to protect others regardless of who or what they are.

Mark Bingham’s mother Alice Hoagland was interviewed by Aliene Voisin for an article in The Sacremento Bee in 2011 as she reflected on her son, the causes she now fights for and that day in September.

“On Aug. 27, 1991, Mark mumbled a bunch of words, then told me he was gay. As a parent, of course, that’s never easy to hear. But you love who you love, and I would support Mark no matter what, so that (gay rights) is one of my causes.”

In a day when so many look for inspiration from those in the LGBT community who are comfortable with who they are for all the world to see, they need look no further than Mark Bingham, hero and gay man.

Governorship Next For Neil Giuliano

Out and proud former Tempe, AZ mayor and head of GLAAD is now out and about touting his book The Campaign Within with some speculating that Neil Giuliano's political days may be far from over.

Giuliano who is currently head of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation said at a recent event in New York, "What I’m doing now is listening to a lot of folks in Arizona, and there is a need for leadership, especially in the Democratic Party."

"We need other voices in Arizona, so it’s not a definite yet, but I want to see how I can make a different, further contribution."

That's giving some to wonder if he might throw his hat in the ring for Governor sometime or perhaps even Congress which would delight the Rainbow crowd but what about the Mormons and the likes of Sheriff Joe Arpaio, but then he does like pink.

While Giuliano said he's happy to be in San Francisco and with his work with the SF AIDS Foundation, others speculate he may take a look at a run at the US Senate sometime in the future what with R-Senator Jon Kyl retiring and if the Democrats can't win the seat in November. The Demos haven't sent a senator to Washington, DC since 1998.

For now of course this is all "a hope, wish and a prayer" for those in Arizona who have taken a liking to the multi-time elected official but it would be a hoot and then some if an openly gay Governor, Congressman or Senator was elected in the "conservative" Grand Canyon State.

It just might make the ultra-conservatives decide to take a header off the Grand Canyon rim.

Read the full article about Neil Giuliano written by Winnie McCroy at EDGE.

Singer Beccy Cole Is "Out"

Sometimes you happen to go on the Internet at just the right time as "breaking news" is erupting in Aussieland that country singer Beccy Cole is announcing just before her 40th birthday, yes I'm a lesbian.

According to adelaidenow .... on Australian Story she will make the revelation and told The Advertiser deciding to do so was like a "weight off my shoulders".

"I'm a little bit scared, my heart is pounding but at the same time it feels right," the former Blackwood primary school student said.

After a brief marriage to fellow musician Mick Albeck, Cole said she made her "personal discovery" when her son was less than a year old.

"For me it's obviously been a really long journey ... in that sense it's been the longest coming out ever.

Welcome home Beccy .. welcome home.

Anderson Cooper's Wedding

Well it didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that once our beloved Anderson Cooper came out he would be foder for all kinds of speculation on his this and that. May have been a good reason to "quietly stay in the closet".

So it is that today rumors are flying that Coop is getting married to his BF possibly as early as Labor Day weekend.

This according to (as well as others) The Daily Mail in the UK.

Cooper, 45, is now planning to marry his boyfriend Ben Maisani, whom he has been dating since at least 2009, in New York City later this year, the National Enquirer reported.

'He'd been considering breaking the news [about being gay] since same-sex marriage became legal in the state of New York last summer,' a source told the Enquirer.

Oh the National Enquirer ... well then it must be true ... NUTZ !

Now for all you miscreants who have been yelling for years for Coop to come out can you blame him for not wanting to ?

No ya'll don't give a rat's boo-de-aye for Coop or any other media person or celeb just as long as you get your way in having another poster boy or gal.

Whether he will or won't is up to him to announce not rags like the Enquirer.

But then the fat ladies waiting to check out in grocery lines do need something to read while waiting to ring up their twinkies and other assorted fat producing foods purchasing them of course with food stamps.

Hopefully all this will just be another footnote in The Ridiculist.

BTW I have great sympathy for Coop and others who "lose it" and get the giggles while on the air. It happened to me more than a couple of times while in radio.

The worst was one day while I was doing the morning sports report our news director went into the next studio and "mooned" me.

Well that's all it took and the bastard in the control room wouldn't go to commercial as I kept indicating with my finger and of course he wouldn't kill the mic so for almost 5 minutes just like Coop I giggled like a 13 year old girl trying to read the sports .. NUTZ !!

This was all a setup because they knew it didn't take much to get me to laugh and in fact they had taken the "cough button" out of the booth which I didn't notice until I went to use it to kill the mic. The phone lines lite up like a Christmas tree.

Took me awhile to live that little episode of tomfoolery down. In fact if the truth be known all these many years later when I happen across someone here in Danbury who remembers me from my radio days do they bring up me winning an award from the Associated Press ?

No they talk about the day I giggled like a girl ... sigh.

The joy of being a "celeb" in local radio.

The Day Jared Max Came Out

It has been a year since ESPN Radio's Jared Max came out of the closet for all his listeners and world to see.

No small decision to make what with being an on-air personality on a major media network.

I'm reminded of this today as Jared has done a posting on FB thanking all who have supported him over the past year including of course ESPN.

In an article from a year ago on ESPN's website, Max said in his announcement to listeners, "Are we ready to have our sports information delivered by someone who's gay? Well, you know what, we are gonna find out," Max said. "Because for the last 16 years I've been living a free life among my close friends and family, and I've hidden behind what is a gargantuan-size secret here in the sports world. I am gay."

While Max's one year anniversary of coming out will most likely get little play in the world LGBT blogdumb, I do so because, and as Jared knows as I have written to him before, he did something I wish I could have done back in the 70's when I was a sports broadcaster.

Come out as a broadcaster who happens to be LGBT.

Thanks to Jared who helped pave the way for broadcasters who have and will in the future come out as LGBT.

Need I remind that it is not what you are but who you are which matters.

I look forward to the day when the former is of no consquence for those who work in the mass media.

MLB Opening Day and de Gay

Everyone has a passion. Mine is baseball. It's a long dry spell from the end of the World Series to MLB opening day and thankfully today the dry spell is over with the first regular season game tonight.

With that in mind and as I have on the previous versions of FOTR since 2009 including at Hearst Newspapers, today is dedicated to the baseball player, high school, college, minor league and pro who feel because of the sport itself, the fans, educational institutions and MLB executives, they need to stay in the closet.

So far as we know there has been only one baseball player who was "out" while still playing and that was Glenn Burke. Burke who played for both the LA Dodgers and Oakland Athletics was out to both teammates and management during his run as a pro player from 1976 to 1979.

During three of those years I was a radio sportscaster and while he may have been "out" to the aforementioned it wasn't, as least as I can remember from those days, public knowledge as that certainly would have stuck with me both at the time and through today.

In his autobiography Burke wrote that prejudice drove him out, prejudice of not being black but gay. He left baseball at the young age of 27. Burke who died of AIDS in 1995 said in an interview with People magazine in 1994 "My mission as a gay baseball player was to break a stereotype ... I think it worked." In 2010 a documentary (trailer below) about Burke was made titled Out: The Glenn Burke Story and was aired on the Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area channel.

While Burke may have broken the stereotype unfortunately his out and proud status did little both then and through today for baseball players to be out and proud while active.

In 2001 on ESPN.com's Page 2 Jim Caple wrote a response to a Letter To The Editor at OUT magazine by Brendan Lemon who claimed he was having an affair with a MLB player which reads in part, Playing in the majors is difficult enough, it will be grueling for a player who endures the constant ugly jeers from fans, the hate mail, the physical threats, the animosity from teammates and the resentment of management.

There is a reason, after all, that Billy Bean waited until after his career to acknowledge his homosexuality. Bean told the New York Daily News it would be "professional suicide" for a gay player to come out during his career.

Billy Bean (pictured) who was an outfielder and played ball from 1987 to 1995 came out in 1999 and wrote his well received book Going The Other Way in 2003 which the website Outsports.com raved over.

In an interview on Page 2 sometime back, former player and author of the book Ball Four:The Final Pitch, Jim Bouton was asked among other questions "Do you think baseball players are ready to accept gay players ? " and he answered, I think they are ready, as ready as players were for Jackie Robinson. Enough players will accept him at first, and those that don't accept him, if he's good enough, will eventually have to. You can't wait for every single player to accept a gay player.

The first gay player is going to have to be a pretty good ballplayer. I think it will be healthy for the country for a good player to come out. Then, instead of the question being who is gay or not, the focus will be on the person who asks the question.

Last season some teams participated in the "It Gets Better" video campaign and some organizations are doing their best to halt anti-gay sentiments coming from fans during game play, at this time for a player to be out and open while active is still a hope and a prayer.

Read the expanded version of this posting at FOTR @ WordPress .