Lori Lindsey: Out and Proud

I am glad that Lori Lindsey came out. The rest of the gay players on the team should come out as well. Everyone knows that Abby Wambach is gay. She is the star of the team, and she should come out too.

Dave
www.DaveBrett.com

Friday, September 7, 2012 at 1:32pm EDT

If issuing press releases acknowledging her lesbianism helps make Ms. Lindsey feel better about herself then good for her. I agree with DBrett that Wambach should "officially" come out as should anyone else on the USWNT that feels somehow persecuted because they remain in the closet. By all means they should do what makes them feel better. Every person deserves the right to live how they want to live.

Once they've successfully crossed that self-actualization barrier they may want to consider how their actions have impacted the future of the game that has enabled them to live the elite and privileged existence they currently hang out in.

If promoting the LGBT thingy is the most important priority in their collective lives then their actions are appropriate. If they actually care about the future success of women's soccer in the U.S. then they may want to consider something other than their personal agendas and that of the microscopic 3.5% of the U.S. population that is LGBT.

I find it stunningly self-centered of the women's soccer supporting LGBT community to decide to choose this particular space in time to shine the spotlight on their sexual preferences. Maybe they missed the memo, but women's pro soccer in the U.S. has failed miserably several times already. They are currently looking for investors to support their new pro soccer league. If promoting women's sports via a LGBT marketing strategy worked then the WNBA would have been a wild success a decade ago since that community has always been the most supportive and enthusiastic about women's pro basketball. It doesn't work.

I hope women's pro soccer can find a market in the U.S. and succeed, but to the extent they are willing to allow this great sport to be hijacked by a socio-political movement like the LGBT crew whatever results they get they have earned in spades.

Maybe the adults in the room should get involved.

Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 11:58am EDT

To be clear, I've got no issue with Wambach. She's the best player in the world and has never felt it appropriate to call attention to her sexual proclivities in spite of the obvious visuals. Additionally at a time when everyone was blaming Borislow for the failure of the last pro league Wambach consistently took the high road which demonstrated her understanding of the environment in which women's pro soccer needs to succeed in.

Someone clearly had the conversation with her about how business and sports needed to work together if they were going to collectively succeed. It's unfortunate that it doesn't appear anyone did the same with Rapinoe and Lindsay.

Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 12:34pm EDT

I can't speak for Rapinoe and Lindsey but my perception is their goal is not to use women's soccer to promote their personal lifestyles but simply to step out and say it's ok in 2012 to be a professional gay athlete. Honestly I wish it wasn't newsworthy but in a divided America in 2012 it still is. If it wasn't we would have a lot more gay athletes stepping forward. I think Wambach will come out eventually on her terms. Only she can decide when the time is right. Thanks for reading:)

Sunday, September 9, 2012 at 8:58pm EDT