Man Up - A High School Senior on the Baseball Team is Outed as Gay and Has To, Well, "Man Up"

Man Up by Kim Oclon

With David’s final baseball season starting and college plans still up on the air, he begins senior year on edge. But when his baseball coach wants to know if David is gay, he is left speechless. No one was supposed to notice the hallway glances at Tyler, a star on the boys track team, or their rides home together. In a school where his friends are turning their backs on him, he finds a new set of allies, that he didn’t know roamed the high school halls. Although he was forced out of the closet before he thought he was ready, what happens next is up to him. David can either cower in the corner or man up.

Bonus points to the author for, as a high school teacher, founding her school's first Gay-Straight Alliance. 

Add your review of "Man Up" in comments!

A High Five for Glenn Burke - A 6th Grader Does a Report on the First Openly Gay Major League Player (as Maybe a Way to Start Coming Out Himself)

A High Five for Glenn Burke by Phil Bildner

When sixth grader Silas Wade does a school presentation on former Major Leaguer Glenn Burke, it’s more than just a report about the irrepressible inventor of the high five. Burke was a gay baseball player in the 1970s—and for Silas, the presentation is his own first baby step toward revealing a truth about himself he's tired of hiding. Soon he tells his best friend, Zoey, but the longer he keeps his secret from his baseball teammates, the more he suspects they know something’s up—especially when he stages one big cover-up with terrible consequences.

Booklist gave this middle grade novel a starred review, calling it "“An essential book for all readers, not just baseball fans, about friendship, acceptance, and self-confidence.”

Add your review of "A High Five for Glenn Burke" in comments!

Thanks to Yapha for the heads-up on this one.

The Book of David (Anonymous Diaries) - A Fictional Teen Diary About a Star Football Player who Falls for the New Guy But Can't Risk Being Outed

The Book of David (Anonymous Diaries) by Anonymous

The author of this fictional diary began writing for a class assignment, but soon it became much more to him. As the star player of his high school football team, he faces a lot of pressure and expectation. Not to mention the secret that he’s harboring inside. The secret that could change everything.

And as David quickly learns, nothing stays secret forever.

His innermost thoughts and feelings are chronicled in the diary he left behind.

Add your review of "The Book of David" in comments!

Elle of the Ball - a middle grade basketball series (written by a basketball star!) starts with seventh-grade Elle, who has to dance with a boy, but wants to dance with another girl.

Elle of the Ball by Elena Delle Donne

Elle Deluca is a seventh grader who is tall—not just sort of tall. She’s six feet tall. And for a twelve-year-old girl, this means that her basketball team has high hopes for her changing positions and becoming their starting center. But a new position is not the only footwork she has to learn. Her class’s dance unit in gym is coming up, and that means she has to learn ballroom dance steps with a boy much shorter than her—and perform publicly for a grade. And who Elle really wants to dance with is the new girl, Amanda.

Add your review of "Elle of the Ball" in comments!

No Holding Back - Gay Teen Romance on a Whirlwind Vacation in Europe

No Holding Back by Kate Evangelista

Everyone knows that Nathan is in love with his best friend, Preston—everyone except Preston. Nathan has always accepted that Preston was too focused on his swim training to worry about love. But Preston is heading off to train for the Olympics soon, so if Nathan wants his chance at love, he has to speak up now. But saying “I love you” is surprisingly difficult, even for someone as confident as Nathan.

Maybe a whirlwind vacation in Europe could help? But . . . what if it doesn’t work out and he loses the best friend he’s ever had?

This is the second novel in the author's Dodge Cove trilogy (No Love Allowed, No Holding Back, and No Second Chances). Add your review of “No Holding Back” in comments!

Running With Lions - A Gay Teen Soccer Team Romance

Running with Lions by Julian Winters

Bloomington High School Lions' star goalie Sebastian Hughes should be excited about his senior year: His teammates are amazing, and he's got a coach who doesn't ask anyone to hide their sexuality. But when his estranged childhood-best-friend Emir Shah shows up at summer training camp, Sebastian realizes the team's success may end up in the hands of the one guy who hates him. Determined to reconnect with Emir for the sake of the Lions, he sets out to regain Emir's trust. But to Sebastian's surprise, sweaty days on the pitch, wandering the town's streets, and bonding on the weekends spark more than just friendship between them.

Check out this piece on outsports where the book's author writes about how Robbie Rogers, the pro soccer player who came out as gay in 2013, inspired him to write this, his debut novel. 

Add your review of "Running with Lions" in comments!

Gravity - Women's Ski Jumping. The Olympics. And 17-Year-Old Ellie, Who's Falling For The Girl Who Is Her Biggest Competition

Gravity by Juliann Rich

A shot at Olympic gold in ski jumping. It's a dream that has been the exclusive property of male athletes. Until now.

For seventeen-year-old Ellie Engebretsen, the 2011 decision to include women's ski jumping in the Olympics is a game changer. She'd love to bring home the gold for her father, a former Olympic competitor whose dreams were blown along with his knees on an ill-timed landing. But can she defy the pull of gravity that draws her to Kate Moreau, her biggest competition and the girl of her dreams?

How can Ellie soar through the air when all she feels like doing is falling hard?

Add your review of "Gravity" in comments!

The Reappearing Act: Coming Out As Gay On a College Basketball Team Led By Born-Again Christians – A Memoir By Kate Fagan

The Reappearing Act: Coming Out As Gay On A College Basketball Team Led By Born-Again Christians by Kate Fagan

It's hard enough coming out, but playing basketball for a nationally ranked school and trying to figure out your sexual identity in the closeted and paranoid world of big-time college sports--that's a challenge.

Kate Fagan's love for basketball and for her religious teammates at the University of Colorado was tested by the gut-wrenching realization that she could no longer ignore the feelings of otherness inside her. In trying to blend in, Kate had created a hilariously incongruous world for herself in Boulder. Her best friends were part of Colorado's Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where they ran weekly Bible studies and attended an Evangelical Free Church. For nearly a year, Kate joined them and learned all she could about Christianity--even holding their hands as they prayed for others "living a sinful lifestyle." Each time the issue of homosexuality arose, she felt as if a neon sign appeared over her head, with a giant arrow pointed downward. During these prayer sessions, she would often keep her eyes open, looking around the circle at the closed eyelids of her friends, listening to the earnestness of their words.

Kate didn't have a vocabulary for discussing who she really was and what she felt when she was younger; all she knew was that she had a secret. In "The Reappearing Act," she brings the reader along for the ride as she slowly accepts her new reality and takes the first steps toward embracing her true self.

Add your review of "The Reappearing Act" in comments!

Fifty Yards And Holding - A Street Gang Leader and High School Sports Star Fall In Love (Gay Teen Love, That is!)

Fifty Yards And Holding by David-Matthew Barnes

Victor Alvarez is in serious trouble. Now seventeen and flunking out of high school, he’s been chosen as the leader of the violent street gang he’s been a member of since he was thirteen. Riley Brewer has just broken a state record as the star of their high school baseball team. When Riley and Victor meet by chance, a connection begins to grow. When friendship turns to love, both young men realize their reputations contradict who they really are. Once their secret relationship is discovered, Victor realizes their lives are at risk. Refusing to hide in order to survive, Riley vows that only death can keep him apart from Victor.

Add your review of "Fifty Yards And Holding" in comments!

Archenemy - Teen Girl Soccer and Unrequited Love

Archenemy by Paul Hoblin

As a defender for the Fraser High girls soccer team, biracial Addie used to be ready for anything. There was no play she couldn't shut down. But now the biggest threat on the field is one of her teammates . . . who is also Addie's former best friend. When Eva Riley moved to town, she and Addie became super close.

They even came out to each other, about liking girls... But when Eva wanted to be more than "just friends," Addie put soccer first instead.

Suddenly Eva's sending Addie mean notes. Then she's screwing up Addie's plays. After a while, Addie's not sure she even wants her friend back. She has to worry about other things--like keeping her spot on the team after Eva's latest act of sabotage.

This book is part of the author's six volume "Counterattack" series. Add your review of "Archenemy" in comments!

College Football player Mitch Eby Comes Out as Gay - and what he said to his Team

This story at outsports is pretty great - especially how it includes Mitch's coming out speech that he shared with his teammates:

"I came up here today to talk to you guys about something that I've been dealing with for quite a while. It's something personal that I've always thought I could just bury away, but I can't. We live life so worried about how other people view us that we forget about ourselves. I can no longer go on living in fear, repressing myself because of how society may view me. I can no longer lie to my friends, family and teammates. It's time I lived life for myself for a change.

"With that being said, I am ready to share with you all that I am gay.

"It has taken me years to accept myself for who I truly am, so it's irrational to expect everybody to unconditionally accept me right away. However, the one thing that I hope that I can count on from each of you, my teammates, is your respect. Your respect as a friend, your respect as a teammate, and your respect as a man.

"Being gay may be something that defines me, but it does not limit me. It is such a small part of who I am. I am the same person you all know, no different than before. I'm still the kid that is obsessed with pretty much anything having to do with sports, I'm still the kid that some of you love to call stupid nicknames like ‘mom' and ‘hot dog,' and I'm still someone who will continue to go out there every day and push myself and push my teammates to be the best football team around. I am your teammate, I am your classmate and I am your brother. And I know that my brothers will continue to stand by my side, no matter what."

When he had finished speaking, the team erupted in applause. Eby smiled, taken aback by the overwhelming response. As the clapping ceased, Eby broke the silence with the most profound words he would share all night:

"So how about some pizza?"

Go read the whole article. It really got me... I only wish that Mitch didn't have to wait to be a junior in college to feel safe about being his authentic self. His being authentic now, and honored and respected for that authenticity, is good, but we can do better than that.

How do we work on the things that kept him from coming out his first two years of college? In his high school? In his junior high?

How about we aim for a world where everyone can be authentic right away? A world with no closets at all.

That's my vision.

Namaste,
Lee

Tom Daley, British Olympic Diver, Comes Out As Bisexual

Tom's online coming out video is worth watching!



Tom Daley won a bronze medal for the UK in the Olympic games in London in 2012. You can read more about him coming out here.

It's also interesting that he mentions he can count on one hand the number of people he'd told before making this video. In it's first day online (Dec 2, 2013) Tom's coming out video had well over 1.25 million views! (And as of today it's been seen over 10 million times!)

Hurray for Tom, and hurray for a world where one more athlete is authentic, making it that much easier for others to be themselves, too!

Namaste,
Lee

ps - my thanks to blog reader and author Hayden Thorne for the heads-up on Tom's story.

Forward Pass - A YA Novel About A Closeted Lesbian Teen Soccer Player

Forward Pass by Lorna Schultz Nicholson

Podium Sports Academy’s star goalkeeper wants nothing more than to play on Canada’s National Team. Parmita works hard at school and on the pitch, so if it seems like she’s avoiding boys, she hopes everyone will think it’s because she wants to be the best, and not because she’s secretly attracted to girls.

The team’s new assistant coach may actually have the pull to get Parmita a National Team tryout, but Parmita is uncomfortable with her coach’s constant flirting and accidentally-on-purpose touching. After the coach guesses her secret about her sexuality and corners her in the locker room, Parmita has to decide how far she’ll go to get a tryout.

Part of the author's Podium Sports Academy Series, add your review of "Forward Pass" in comments!

W.N.B.A. Top Draft Pick Brittney Griner's Awesome Coming Out Essay (And "It Gets Better Video")

Brittney Griner, photo from NY Times, Matt York/Associated Press

Brittney Griner, a senior at Baylor University, was the top selection in the W.N.B.A. draft, and will be playing for the Phoenix Mercury. She won the Naismith Trophy as the outstanding women’s basketball player in 2012 and 2013. Last week, she wrote this essay that was published in the New York Times.

It includes these profound words:

It’s taken me a long time to figure out exactly where I fit. During that journey, I realized that everyone has a unique place in this world. I also discovered that the more open I was with my family and friends, the more I embraced others, and the more committed I became to doing the things I love, like basketball, skating and, of course, eating bacon (the greatest food of all time), the more love and confidence I received in return.

I just had to hang in there and be myself.

Hurray for Brittney! You are a light.

And here's Brittney's "It Gets Better" Video:

NBA Center Jason Collins Comes Out As Gay... The First Openly Gay Athlete Playing In One of America's Four Major Team Sports!

Huzzah!

This story appears in the May 6, 2013, issue of Sports Illustrated.

Jason Collins writes:

I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay.

I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand. 

NBA commissioner David Stern said,

"Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue.”

and Nike, Jason's corporate sponsor, was also supportive,

"Jason (Collins) is a Nike athlete. We are a company committed to diversity and inclusion."

It has been a looooong time in coming - happy news!  And the last words of this post go to Jason, who wrote in his piece in Sports Illustrated:

Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start. It all comes down to education. I'll sit down with any player who's uneasy about my coming out. Being gay is not a choice. This is the tough road and at times the lonely road. Former players like Tim Hardaway, who said "I hate gay people" (and then became a supporter of gay rights), fuel homophobia. Tim is an adult. He's entitled to his opinion. God bless America. Still, if I'm up against an intolerant player, I'll set a pretty hard pick on him. And then move on.

The most you can do is stand up for what you believe in. I'm much happier since coming out to my friends and family. Being genuine and honest makes me happy.

I'm glad I can stop hiding and refocus on my 13th NBA season. I've been running through the Santa Monica Mountains in a 30-pound vest with Shadow, the German shepherd I got from Mike Miller. In the pros, the older you get, the better shape you must be in. Next season a few more eyeballs are likely to be on me. That only motivates me to work harder.

We're cheering you on, Jason!

 Lee

p.s. - my thanks to Karol for the first of many heads-up about this story!

Troll or Derby - Lesbian Crushes and Roller Derby and Fairies!

Troll or Derby by Red Tash

15-year-old Roller Deb is singled out by town bullies for both her skates, and her sexual orientation. When her popular homecoming queen of a sister is kidnapped by a scuzzy drug dealer, Deb must flee the trailer park in which she's grown up, and rescue her. Along the way, Deb becomes enmeshed in the magical realm of trolls and fairies, and the blood-thirsty version of roller derby at which these beings excel. But spending too much time among the fairies comes with a price. Will Deb choose to save her sister, with the aid of a mysterious troll? Or will she be lost to the lures of roller derby, and the blonde temptress April, forever?

This is a title published by the Author.  Add your review of "Troll or Derby" in comments!

The YOU KNOW WHO Girls: Freshman Year - A Lesbian Teen Series Begins!

"The YOU KNOW WHO Girls: Freshman Year" by Annameekee Hesik

"Abbey Brooks, Gila High freshman-to-be, never thought a hellish day of shopping at the mall with her best friend, Kate, could change her life.  But when she orders french fries from the flirtatious Hot Dog on a Stick Chick, she gets more than deep-fried potatoes.

Abbey tries to ignore the weird, happy feeling in her gut, but that proves to be as impossible as avoiding the very insistent (and - rumor has it - very lesbian) players on Gila High's girls' basketball team.  They want freakishly long-legged Abbey to try out, and Abbey doesn't hate the idea.  But Kate made Abbey pinky swear to avoid basketball and to keep away from the you-know-who girls on the team.

Sometimes promises can't be kept.  And sometimes girls in uniform are impossible to resist."

Add your review of "The YOU KNOW WHO Girls: Freshman Year" in comments!

And look for my upcoming interview with Annameekee later this week...

The Fearless Project by Jeff Sheng - Celebrating Out Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans High School and College Athletes

The Fearless Project inspires me, and I think it will inspire you, too.



Thanks, Jeff!

And thanks as well to the reader who wrote me about it, saying

"As an LGBT athlete, I found this very cool..."

They're right. It IS very cool!

Namaste,
Lee

Glenn Burke was the first openly gay Major League Baseball Player... and a petition to honor him

The petition at change.org reads:

Glenn Burke was the first, of only two Major League Baseball players, to "come out" as gay. Burke also started the tradition of high-fiving players after they had just hit home runs.

Considering the significance of Glenn Burke being the first Major League Baseball player to come out, his legacy is comparable to that of Jackie Robinson. As baseball is our National Pastime, it is incredibly important that the Baseball Hall of Fame acknowledge and promote diversity within the sport itself.

Considering this, we ask that the Baseball Hall of Fame create a permanent exhibit to honor the legacy and memory of Glenn Burke.

“They can't ever say now that a gay man can't play in the majors, because I'm a gay man and I made it." - Glenn Burke

Very cool to know this piece of gay history!

Add your voice to the petition, and the next time you high-five someone, think of Glenn Burke!

Namaste,
Lee

Fighting Homophobia in Professional Ice Hockey

Patrick Burke and his father Brian are working to change the "casual homophobia" in professional Ice Hockey.  Patrick's brother Brendan came out as gay a year before he died in a car accident in 2010.




This ad features

Rick Nash of the Columbus Blue Jackets; Duncan Keith of the Chicago Blackhawks; Brian Boyle of the New York Rangers; Matt Moulson of the New York Islanders; Joffrey Lupul of the Toronto Maple Leafs; Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers; Daniel Alfredsson of the Ottawa Senators; Scott Hartnell of the Philadelphia Flyers; Corey Perry  of the Anaheim Ducks; Andy Greene of the New Jersey Devils; Dion Phaneuf of the Toronto Maple Leafs; and Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers.

Patrick Burke hopes You Can Play can help achieve his late brother's dreams for the sport in every level: That it becomes a place of acceptance, support and safety for gay athletes, to the point that one day an openly gay player can compete for a National Hockey League team without incident and feeling secure about it.

Because as long as they can play, they can play.

It's a great article, and a great campaign. 

Namaste,
Lee

ps - My thanks to Heather for sharing this with me, so I could share it with all of you!