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Boston Sports Columnist: I Am Gay

Widely-read Boston Herald columnist and author Steve Buckley has come out in his column today. Thus far the piece has generated almost 400 comments, and mixing the subject matter into the already volatile Boston sports world has yielded some fireworks. Hate is always removed from these online forums as per the Herald’s community guidelines, but I have to admit that to smiling at those who say things like “so what? your column still stinks.” or “congratulations. I hate the Red Sox.” That’s just my Yankee-rooting, Boston-hating self observing the landscape.

What is encouraging about those sorts of comments, which may not be clear if you aren’t an ardent sports fan, is that Buckley is still one of the guys. What is also encouraging is that we are hopefully approaching a state in society where being gay is just another thing about a person. It’s no big deal. So what. Pass the salt.

It may also portend the inevitable exit from the closet for a professional athlete. Just this past spring, Sports Illustrated ran a story on Gareth Thomas, the star rugby player from Wales who is the only openly gay professional athlete in a major sport. Thus far, active player in the NBA, NFL, NHL or Major League Baseball has come out. Will that change? I hope so.

Why should I hope so? Why do I care? I am, after all, a straight guy with a wife and 4 kids. I don’t have a skin in the game. Actually, we all have a skin in the game. A transparent, open and accepting society benefits everyone. And if you are like me with a straight everything and kids, consider the possibility that someday your son or daughter comes out to you. It isn’t going to be enough that you still love them. You are going to start really giving a damn that the world they go out into also says “so what.”

So, to Mr Buckley, thanks for helping blaze the trail for those that come after you.

Oh, and Steve: Go Yankees. The Red Sox suck. Bucky Dent.