Michael Sam

Michael Sam is a college football player.  He is/was the defensive lineman from the University of Missouri. Yesterday Michael Sam announced that he was gay.  Mr. Sam thus began is journey to become the first publicly gay player in the National Football League.  See here.

I have to admit that I had never heard of Michael Sam before his announcement yesterday.  I will never forget his name now.  Michael Sam is one of those rare individuals, one of those rare GAY individuals who has the balls and the courage to COME OUT.  Bravo for you Michael Sam.  

In the day when Sean Hayes

who played the over the top gay character "Jack" on "Will and Grace" dithered for years about coming out when everyone except those in the cemetery knew he was gay, we need role models like Michael Sam to come out publicly as a gay man. 

In the day when some defend tentative gays like Anderson Cooper 

avoid The Question for years then come out via the back door (Anderson in an e-mail to his gay bud Andrew Sullivan), it is refreshing to see and hear a gay man with real courage to come out.  Folks, this is the ONLY way we break down the doors of hate, ignorance and homophobia. Oh sure, I know all the concerns about "career."  Been there done that folks.  That's the chance you take.  If you choose to have that cudgel over your head, then that's your choice.  But I applaud men like Michael Sam.  

To all those actors who cite their "career concerns", coming out as gay doesn't seem to have impeded Neil Patrick Harris's career.  

Of course the argument with actors is "Once a gay actor comes out the audience won't believe him in leading romantic roles."  Sure, that's a good point but maybe that's just the point.  I find it interesting that straight men can play gay characters but for some reason Hollywood is very reluctant to even give an openly gay actor the chance to play a straight leading role.  Again, it's all about the money.  

But getting back to Michael Sam.  Bravo to you Michael Sam. It is men like you, setting a good role model for a gay man living openly which will save thousands of lives of young gay men (and women) who are struggling with their sexuality in this still basically homophobic country.  

We're getting there folks, albeit one step at a time and an occasional step back.  We're getting there.  Now I wonder what our illustrious Supreme Court Jusice Antonine Scalia has to say about this turn of events.  

It's happening Antonine, it's happening so get over it