Friendly Voices - Ron Darling

"I don't think we're there yet, and I think that is sad. But it is going to happen. It is going to take one of the great players to come out. At some point, one of our athletes is going to reveal that he is gay, and I think that will be a joyous moment - not only for gays and lesbians, but for all of us." - Retired New York Met and current sportscaster Ron Darling, speaking on when a currently-playing major league athlete might come out. Darling tells the Daily News that he's "joyous" over the passage of marriage equality.

NOM Spokesman David Tyree: I Don't Want My Kids To Think Gays Are Normal

And we don't want kids to think crack-addicts are normal.

ALBANY: Bigoted Football Star David Tyree Delivers 63K Anti-Gay Petitions

Former New York Giants player David Tyree yesterday delivered 63,000 anti-gay petitions to lawmakers in Albany.

Last week, Tyree appeared in a National Organization of Marriage video saying that same-sex marriage would lead to "anarchy." On Monday, he spoke to reporters in Albany saying that gay marriage is bad for society and for Christians. "A moral fiber of a country is its laws, which is the essential make-up of government," said Tyree. "Once you allow same-sex marriage, it opens up the door for a continued softening of the backbone of our society which will eventually, for generations to come, open the door for – who knows? – polygamy, and all other types of the sorts," he said. "And in the sense where people do have strong Christian convictions, that takes away in a sense our religious freedoms because none of the things we believe essentially lines up with same-sex marriage."

Tyree told reporters that he would gladly give up his Super Bowl championship in return for stopping gay marriage in new York.

Chicago Cubs - It Gets Better

MINNEAPOLIS: Lesbian Couple Yelled At For Kissing At Twins Baseball Game

Via Minneapolis' City Pages blog:

Taylor Campione and Kelsi Culpepper -- two lesbian women from Minneapolis -- were recently scolded by a Target Field security guard for what they call a "brief kiss." After seeing the quick peck on the lips, the guard told the women that "we don't play grab ass here" and that they must "adhere to the 10 Commandments" while at the stadium. "That ruined our entire evening," says Campione. "We were super upset, we felt super uncomfortable." The security guard has since been reprimanded, but continues to work at the stadium, says Kevin Smith, a spokesman for the Twins. "That behavior just is unacceptable," Smith says of the biblical put-down. "That security guard has received both a verbal and written reprimand that will be put in his personnel file, and he understands that that is not an acceptable behavior."

The couple plans to file a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.

Football Star Reveals Anti-Gay Bigotry

Vancouver Riots Over Hockey Loss

Ben Cohen On Gay Times Cover

(Via - Towleroad)

Rugby To Beefcake To Opera

(Tipped by JMG reader Piet)

Red Sox To Make "It Gets Better" Clip

At the urging of a very young fan, the Boston Red Sox have agreed to become the third major league sports team to record an "It Gets Better" video. The Advocate reports:

Sam Maden, a 12-year-old Sox fan, petitioned the team via Change.org to create a video for the project, founded by Dan Savage and Terry Miller as a way to fight antigay bullying and teen suicide by letting young LGBT people know that life does get better. Maden conceived his petition campaign as a way to honor an uncle who died unexpectedly in January. About 9,000 people, mostly Red Sox fans from New England, signed Maden’s petition, according to a news release from Change.org. Team executives announced over the weekend that the Sox would make a video.

Last week the San Francisco Giants became the first time to release an anti-bullying video. The Chicago Cubs are due up next.

Cubs To Make "It Gets Better" Clip

The Chicago Cubs have announced their intent to follow the lead of the San Francisco Giants and create an It Gets Better clip.

The Cubs will be the second professional sports team to participate in the "It Gets Better" campaign following the San Francisco Giants who released their video earlier this week. "The Cubs applaud the Giants for their stand against anti-LGBT bullying. Bullying of anyone for any reason is unacceptable," said Laura Ricketts, Cubs owner and board member. "We are proud to join the Giants in taking a stand against bullying and encourage other professional sports organizations to do the same.

Last year the Cubs had a float in the Chicago Pride Parade.

The Gay Who Wasn't Gay Enough

MSNBC Interviews Ben Cohen

San Francisco Giants - It Gets Better

CNN Speaks To Ben Cohen

Black LGBT News: No More Down Low

Steve Nash For New York Marriage

Photo Of The Day - Ben Cohen

Last night I met Ben Cohen at a Chelsea gay bar, where he was raising funds for his anti-homophobia campaign. Also in the house was champion wrestler Hudson Taylor. I'll post a slideshow later today. PS: Ben is completely sweet.

HomoQuotable - Jared Max

"Are we ready to have our sports information delivered by someone who is gay? We're going to find out. Because for the last 16 years I've been living a free life among all my close friends and family. But I've been living behind what is a gargantuan size secret in the sports world. I am gay. Yeah, Jared Max, the sports guy with one of the most familiar voices in New York sports isn't quite like the majority." - Veteran NYC sports radio announcer Jared Max, speaking yesterday to his audience on ESPN 1050 AM.

(Via - Gothamist)

UPDATE: Listen to Jared Max's announcement.

Phoenix Suns President On Coming Out