Michael Sam Redux

Michael Sam’s release from the St. Louis Cardinal football team has again put the issue of an openly gay athlete in the NFL back on the front page of media attention.  What I find troubling about the coverage and talking head response to the issue of a gay athlete is that we are only hearing points of view responding to the extremes of the argument..  One side, which is subject to appropriate condemnation, is the view that gay men do not belong, and absolutely should  not  be in the locker room, of a college or professional team.  This extreme homophobic notion is undoubtedly held by some but is far from the mainstream of thought among men.  Yet, anyone expressing any concern or point of view or in any way contrary to the idea of total unconditional acceptance of a gay man showering with straight men is immediately condemned as a homophobic caveman.  The bottom line is that an openly gay man, by definition, might find a naked attractive man as desirable..   It doesn’t mean he will act on that desire in an inappropriate way but the straight guy next to him is aware that he might be subject to someone elses sexual fantasy.  This might make him uncomfortable.  Should he be condemned as a homophobe for expressing his discomfort?   Logically can we not extend the argument to a straight man showering with women.  If he does not act on his desire for the woman next to him why should she object?  Taking this even further, I wonder why there is not a hue and cry for unisex bathrooms and locker rooms.  My point is that we should be able to voice our discomfort and uncertainties about homosexuality as part of the broader conversation so that we can all better wrap our heads around the bigger issues of gender identity, sexuality and tolerance.

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