Moving on Re: "U.S. Soccer Player Opens Up About Being Gay" by the NYT
At this time and age, unbelievably, these LGBT issues are still being not accepted by people who, I suspect, are closeted gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered persons themselves. I don't understand really why we have to make loud announcements about who we really are as persons, especially when it comes to our respective sexuality (as if it's not a dynamic aspect of our selves, as if it's not something unique to each one of us). Generally, coming out, which is a moving on event, is always an ugly process, although it is a very liberating personal undertaking. I wonder how many times Robbie Rogers will out himself to others who may have not heard about his coming out announcement (not everybody read the news, anyway). It's been the case with me, and each time, the outing process becomes easier to handle. I hope it's the same with him.
And I understand Rogers plans to move on from playing soccer to other endeavors. He knows it's a crazy but very brave undertaking to do to out one's self to others who have well-defined but stereotyped code of behaviors, which sadly are being largely followed by people who are into soccer (and some other team sports). It's a very engaging sport that's really very sexual when viewed by spectators but such ideas are never openly discussed about nor acknowledged, and in the process, this approach by spectators contributes to soccer's mystique and image of coolness, especially among people who fantasize about making it sexually with goodlooking soccer players. Just look at the pictures, if you have the chance.
I played the game when I was much younger and I love its inherent roughness (very similar to American football). In my recollection, it's one of those games that makes me move so constantly, so energetically, and I get exercised so much along the way and that I would feel so energized at the end of each game. Also, I don't feel sexual at all towards myself nor with the other players----it's pure messy, hard work (like a real honest-to-goodness sex encounter)being in the field and being in a serious playing mode. But it seems like every body is having so much fun. Sex was farthest in my mind, to be blunt about it, as far as I could recall when I used to play soccer. And so, it hurts so much if one has to contend with other issues not relevant to soccer, just like what I believe Rogers has been experiencing. He'll be probably encouraged to stay and continue playing. But I know for a fact that he'll be bullied if he continues to do so----it's simply group thinking, unless people's way of thinking about LGBT issues have evolved in the past few years (which I hope they really have done so).
Being bullied, especially in sports, comes in many forms; people are generally very creative when they bully others, especially those whom they think are very different from who they are. But actually, those who are being bullied are people who reflect deeply hated and hidden personal aspects that are then projected as seen by those people who do the bullying. It's a very familiar scene, especially to people who have hidden traditionally non-desirable aspects of themselves for some time to the public (and sadly even to their loved ones).
Let's see how far Rogers will go after he's completed this major step about his efforts to move on. I do hope a lot of other athletes will follow his example, soon, and so that for once, we could get rid of this LGBT baggage.
And I understand Rogers plans to move on from playing soccer to other endeavors. He knows it's a crazy but very brave undertaking to do to out one's self to others who have well-defined but stereotyped code of behaviors, which sadly are being largely followed by people who are into soccer (and some other team sports). It's a very engaging sport that's really very sexual when viewed by spectators but such ideas are never openly discussed about nor acknowledged, and in the process, this approach by spectators contributes to soccer's mystique and image of coolness, especially among people who fantasize about making it sexually with goodlooking soccer players. Just look at the pictures, if you have the chance.
I played the game when I was much younger and I love its inherent roughness (very similar to American football). In my recollection, it's one of those games that makes me move so constantly, so energetically, and I get exercised so much along the way and that I would feel so energized at the end of each game. Also, I don't feel sexual at all towards myself nor with the other players----it's pure messy, hard work (like a real honest-to-goodness sex encounter)being in the field and being in a serious playing mode. But it seems like every body is having so much fun. Sex was farthest in my mind, to be blunt about it, as far as I could recall when I used to play soccer. And so, it hurts so much if one has to contend with other issues not relevant to soccer, just like what I believe Rogers has been experiencing. He'll be probably encouraged to stay and continue playing. But I know for a fact that he'll be bullied if he continues to do so----it's simply group thinking, unless people's way of thinking about LGBT issues have evolved in the past few years (which I hope they really have done so).
Being bullied, especially in sports, comes in many forms; people are generally very creative when they bully others, especially those whom they think are very different from who they are. But actually, those who are being bullied are people who reflect deeply hated and hidden personal aspects that are then projected as seen by those people who do the bullying. It's a very familiar scene, especially to people who have hidden traditionally non-desirable aspects of themselves for some time to the public (and sadly even to their loved ones).
Let's see how far Rogers will go after he's completed this major step about his efforts to move on. I do hope a lot of other athletes will follow his example, soon, and so that for once, we could get rid of this LGBT baggage.
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