(ThyBlackMan.com) In a May 2013 issue of Sports Illustrated, Jason Collins said, “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.”
Almost one year later during an interview with The New York Times, University of Missouri defensive lineman Michael Sam said, “I’m Michael Sam. I’m a football player, and I’m gay.”
Collins was the first openly gay athlete playing on a major American sports team, and now Michael Sam could possibly become the first openly gay player in the NFL.
After his announcement Sunday Feb. 9, CBSSports.com dropped Sam 70 spots in its draft rankings from no.90 to no.160 (although reports are saying the drop did not have to do with his announcement).
Like Collins, people are praising this young man for his “courage” and deeming him a “hero.”
Remember when Collins came out last year and Michelle Obama tweeted, “So proud of you, Jason Collins! This is a huge step forward for our country. We’ve got your back! —mo”
Well, Michael Sam’s “bravery” was no different, as the FLOTUS also 
offered her support on Twitter:
You’re an inspiration to all of us, @MikeSamFootball. We couldn’t be prouder of your courage both on and off the field. –mo
I even read that Collins was one of the FLOTUS’ guests at last month’s State of the Union Address. The other two were survivors of the Boston Marathon.
It seems that there is a new trend of “gay sensationalism.” FrankOcean came out as a Black musician with ties to the hip-hop and R&B worlds….he’s a hero.
Then Collins tells the public he’s a gay athlete…he’s a hero.
Now Michael Sam wants the world to know that he’s a gay prospective NFL player….and yup, you guessed it, he’s a hero as well.
It’s like the media is obsessed with those who decide to publicly come out, praising their actions like homosexuality is the new “it” thing to be.
Like this current fascination with twerking, anything that relates to homosexuality is put on a special platter to be ohhed and awed.
And I think that’s all fine and dandy, but my confusion lies in two things that seem to keep coming with this:
1. Why is a person—well truly a celebrity—considered a “hero” because he or she revealed his or her sexual orientation to the world? If people were “born this way” as they claim, and being a lesbian or gay is truly who they are and how they were created, why is their public declaration of this supposedly natural part of who they are such an accomplishment? And I ask these questions more so for the media outlets and people who deem them as such.
Of course we all know that those in the LGBT community have endured many hardships because of who they are and their lifestyles. But so have minorities, and women, and low-income workers, and middle class Americans. I mean everyone faces hardships due to some facet of their lives. Women have been oppressed for being women; the poor continue to be at a disadvantage when it comes to America’s political structure (1 percent of wealthy controlling everything) because they are poor. Sure, the debate could go on and on about certain groups—the uninsured for example—not being discriminated against for some feature or characteristic they were “born with” but it doesn’t negate the fact that all groups of people experience prejudice, injustices and hardships in life due to some aspect of their lives.
So, again, I don’t see why embracing your sexual orientation is such a heroic endeavor. Millions of African American women around the world are chopping off their relaxed roots and embracing their natural hair—something they were born with and cannot help, as I’ve heard those in (and who support) the LGBT community say. But why aren’t these women getting invited to White House events?
Little black girls are constantly told by the images in the media and messages in music that they aren’t pretty enough, smart enough, desirable enough and worth enough. They are constantly oppressed for who they are, yet still, each day many choose to openly embrace and proudly display their heritage. Like the LGBT community, what makes them them isn’t out rightly celebrated or accepted by society, yet many choose to “come out” anyway—where are their endorsements and praises?
I’m sure many won’t agree, but I see no justification in deeming someone who has come out of the “closet” as a hero when society doesn’t do the same for others who are oppressed daily for how they’re made yet still choose to embrace who they are.
The bravery of the Boston Marathon survivors in no way compares to that of a gay athlete who came out, and the fact that he was selected as a guest alongside those two confuses me. But if we’re going to stand up and celebrate those who are embracing being “born this way” then I see no reason why the woman who is constantly put down because she’s not society’s standard of beauty yet still decides to forgo the extensions, butt implants and skin bleaching creams for her natural shape, skin color and hair texture shouldn’t be commended as well.
2. My second gray area with this rise of “gay sensationalism” is how the media attacks those who openly express their views on the matter. People are making the decisions to tell the public about their sexual orientation, yet when someone else makes the decision to comment about his/her declaration, all of a sudden this free speech is wrong. It’s like no one can say ANYTHING negative about homosexuals without being crucified, even if the person is just sharing how he/she feels.
It’s like the media is pushing an agenda on folks: You must love and openly praise anything related to homosexuals or you are bad, wrong, ignorant, hateful and will be struck down.
Is this not still America? Of course we don’t want everyone running around saying crazy things about others, but if we’re going to protect one’s freedom of speech, we have to uphold this section of the constitution for all. We can’t only support those who agree with someone’s public declaration and then condemn all those who don’t. Just as the person has the right to stand up in front of the world and say “I’m gay and I’m proud,” others have the right to stand right beside him or her and say “I don’t approve of this” or “I do support this.” (And you can’t say, “Well why do they have to share if they approve or not” because the question can be flipped and asked, “Why does he/she have to openly announce their sexual orientation?)
Those in and who support the LGBT community shouldn’t be reprimanded for speaking out about their views and neither should those outside the community and people who don’t support this. If a person can publicly proclaim he/she is gay and receive endorsements and praises, then someone who publicly disagrees with his/her announcement shouldn’t receive criticism and disdain. It should not be one-sided where people feel like they have to support this community for fear of being ostracized for their beliefs. I mean think about it: Isn’t the way folks are so quick to slam someone who expresses their viewpoint the same way people slam those in the LGBT community? We’re hindering the freedom of speech and public expression—the very freedom that this group is advocating for.
Staff Writer; Shala Marks
Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/shala.marks
Service is her passion, writing is her platform, women and the Black Community are her avenues. Shala Marks is a writer, editor and soon-to-be author. Through her work, Marks aspires to demonstrate “The Craft of Writing, and the Art of Efficacy.” She has a B.A. in journalism from Arizona State University. Connect with her over at http://www.ShalaMarks.com.
