Compete January 2011 (Classic) by COMPETE Magazine

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| January 2011

Angel Bousquet Photography

A special thank you to photographer Angel Bousquet!

FROM THE SKYBOX B Y E R I C C A R LY L E

ho doesn’t like a great party? I know I do, so an event to celebrate the Compete 2010 Athlete of the Year, Michael Holtz, seemed like a great idea. And the best part of the timing – it was held on Michael’s 26th birthday. At 6:30 a.m. on December 19 I packed four other Compete staffers in a rental car and started the six-hour trek to Los Angeles, loaded with boxes of our December Athlete of the Year issue of Compete as well as other items for the party, including a six-foot pull up banner of Michael in his swimsuit. We’ve all become friends with our newest Athlete of the Year and were excited to present him with his official Compete award. We made it to Los Angeles and the fun began at 5 p.m. when the doors of Cisco Home were flung open and guests began to fill the venue. I think Michael was humbled by the crowd – nearly 300 guests celebrated in style, enjoying some delicious treats and tasty drinks. We welcomed a diverse group of people who came out on a very rainy night to support our Athlete of the Year. In addition to Michael’s friends and co-workers, there were also people representing groups such as the Los Angeles Rebellion Rugby Football Club, WeHo Aquatics and the AIDS LifeCycle. Donations at the door went to Michael’s employer, Equality California. (The opposite page features some photos from the event.) No doubt about it – Michael was definitely the star of the evening. Olympic Gold Medal diver Greg Louganis spoke for a few minutes on why he wrote a recommendation letter nominating Michael for the honor and then presented Michael with his official award. Michael was so humbled he decided not to give an acceptance speech — he was truly speechless. We couldn’t have made a better choice for the Compete 2010 Athlete of the Year and I don’t think we could have had more fun honoring him with our award. In spite of the heavy rain, we packed up the car and made it home the next day safe and sound, feeling like we’d had a great time. In fact, we are already looking for another excuse to hold a party.

Eric Carlyle, CEO eric@competenetwork.com We’d like to thank the following sponsors for helping to make the event so successful: Krol Vodka, Shake Bartenders California, Seratto PR, DJ Ryan Kenney, N2N Bodywear, Dessert Solutions, Angel Bousquet Photography, and Cisco Home. www.CompeteNetwork.com | COMPETE

January

Volume 5, Issue 1

20 Athletes for Equality

NFL and NBA stars are rare voices for marriage rights

32-33 MVP

An Uphill Pursuit

Kyle Lashley forges ahead as only out gay sled dog racer

Meet L.A. softball player Jeff Norris

Picture Perfect Gay sports groups pose for sexy 2011 calendars

Dare Dave

Taking to the track at Bob Bondurant Driving School

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| January 2011

KICK-OFF 8 Necessary Roughness 10 Intangibles 16 Scouting Report

FOUNDERS Publisher/CEO Eric Carlyle • eric@competenetwork.com Publisher/COO David Riach • david@competenetwork.com VP of Operations Connie Wardman • connie@competenetwork.com

FITNESS CENTER 46 Resolving Door

Suggestions for realistic New Year’s Resolutions you can make progress with

Running a Safe Distance Training tips for an injury-free marathon

GAME TAPE 50 Out for the Long Run

New documentary follows gay high school and college athletes

OVERTIME 54 Scoreboard 56 Calendar 58 Sportlight 62 Yearbook

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Buddy Early • buddy@competenetwork.com Contributors Stacey Jay Cavaliere, Luis Garcia, William Henderson, Tania Katan, David Kimble, Lisa Mansfield, Brian Patrick, Heather Robinson, Beau Ryan, Patricia Nell Warren Photographers Gregg Edelman, Don Thompson, William Waybourn PRODUCTION Art Director Jay Gelnett • jay@competenetwork.com ADVERTISING Media Sales Executives Tony Lopez, Director of Sales Chris Herrington, Sales Executive ads@competenetwork.com PR Manager & Promotions Alfonzo Chavez • alfonzo@competenetwork.com Circulation Vice President Teresa Salhi teresa@competenetwork.com COMPETE RADIO & COMPETE TV VP of Broadcast Media Josh Fourrier josh@competenetwork.com Copyright 2011 MEDIA OUT LOUD, LLC 4703 S. Lakeshore Drive, Suite 3 Tempe, AZ 85282 P: 480.222.4223 • F: 480-889-5513 www.CompeteNetwork.com Compete is a trademark of Media Out Loud, LLC

Monthly Readership: 45,00 - 60,000 (increasing)

ON THE COVER:

New York Jets Cornerback Antonio Cromartie Photo by Adam Bouska; courtesy NOH8 Campaign (www.noh8campaign.com)

Mission Statement: Compete Sports Media provides the most comprehensive global sports information both to and for the gay community. Through our family of gay sports media brands, we promote the importance of sports to the gay community and the importance of the gay community to sports. We connect and inspire our audience to get involved and participate in sports as both athletes and fans.

NECESSARY ROUGHNESS

BY BUDDY EARLY, MANAGING EDITOR

Getting Ahead in 2011

ith all the holidays – religious and secular – that fall during the last few months of the year, my favorite is undoubtedly New Year’s Day. Not New Year’s Eve, as that is not the actual holiday but most gays would think so, right? Also, New Year’s Eve 2009 was set in motion when I watched a friend throw up in a crowded bar … at 10:30 p.m. It was all downhill from there. No, I love New Year’s Day, because that is when I can put the baggage of the previous year behind me – start living a better life and being a better person. I say this every year, and every year I take baby steps toward this. So, don’t judge me. I lost and gained weight, ending the year 10 pounds lighter than when it began. I worked on my novel, then started over, and finished the year one chapter ahead. I saved money, then blew it all, then ended the year with a little something extra in my account. Then I spent it on gifts for others. Basically, I’m slightly ahead of where I was 12 months ago. And that’s ok. As a gay sports community we also are ahead of where we were 12 months ago. There is more participation than ever in gay sports leagues; young leagues continue to grow, and new leagues are popping up in cities big and small all over the country. Gay athletes who participate in all sports – softball, volleyball, rugby, football – are coming out and enjoying their sport. And they are standing up as positive examples of gay athletes. By this time next year, our community will have grown even larger. Professional athletes are finally coming out as straight allies. In this issue of Compete, for example, we are spotlighting current NFL stars Antonio Cromartie, Scott Fujita and Brendon Ayanbadejo, as well as former NBA legend Isiah Thomas, all of whom have stuck their necks out for equality. With their voices and influence, we can count on making some inroads in the locker rooms of professional sports. Whereas we are now slightly ahead of where we were in this respect a year ago, we’ll be even further ahead in 2012. And, to toot my own horn, Compete’s stature and visibility in both the gay community and the sports 8 | COMPETE

| January 2011

community has increased. Our circulation has gone wider and our reach has expanded. (But just wait to see where we go in 2011!) We continued to bring you stories of out gay athletes in all kinds of sports, including NASCAR (Evan Darling), boxing (Nicole Dean) and dog sled racing (Kyle Lashley, in this issue). These athletes – although they are few compared to their counterparts in softball, football and such – are lone advocates in their sports, but the impact they are hoping to have is enormous. Many of the athletes we profiled in 2010, particularly in the latter part of the year, spoke of a desire to tell their story because of unsettling news of bullying, taunting and even suicide among gay youth. They realized that their stories and the experiences they are able to share can make a difference for someone just like them. In the coming year you will read about even more athletes making a difference. Every year that Compete has been publishing has been a watershed year, each one better than the last. 2010 was no different, and 2011 will certainly be our best year yet. If you’ve enjoyed the past 12 months of Compete – well, you ain’t read nothin’ yet!

Racecar driver Evan Darling and boxer Nicole Dean are a couple of the trailblazing athletes we profiled in 2010.

KICK-OFF

INTANGIBLES THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Gay Groups Express Disappointment for World Cup Picks Russia, Qatar

occer seems to be at the center of both the gay equality movement in sports and homophobic episodes. Most recently, was the latter. Gay groups have said they are “deeply concerned” by FIFA’s decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, respectively. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and can be punished with lashes and jail, while the Russian capital of Moscow has banned gay pride marches for years. Gay rights campaigners also questioned the countries’ human rights records. Peter Tatchell, who was savagely beaten by neoNazi thugs at a pride march in Moscow in 2007, said: “Both countries have very poor human rights records. Not just on gay rights, but also on the rights of women, the freedom to protest and freedom of the press. “Sport should never be allowed to trump human rights. FIFA have put their corpo-

rate interests before the well-being of the people of Russia and Qatar.” The Justin Campaign – a 10-year old British organization founded to demonstrate that, after Justin Fashanu’s tragic suicide in 1998, homophobia is still hugely prevalent in the world of professional football – added that it was “deeply concerned” and released a statement that read: “Despite their apparent commitment to humanitarian values and the promotion of global solidarity through football, FIFA is sending out a message loud and clear that the rights of the global LGBT community do not even register on their agenda. “It is a stark and sad reminder of just how much work we still need to do.” Meanwhile, Matthew Sephton of the Conservative-affiliated group LGBTory said FIFA should ask Qatar to decriminalize homosexuality by 2022. He said: “Now that this decision has been taken, I would like to set the chal-

lenge to FIFA and the FA to be a force for good and also to get its own house in order. I hope that between now and 2022 Qatar will take steps Peter Tatchell to decriminalize homosexuality and that FIFA can help bring this about. “The Rugby Football League has set the pace by recently launching their ‘tackle it’ campaign to challenge homophobia in their sport. (Soccer) should follow this important lead by their rugby counterparts and prove that they, too, believe there is no place for homophobia in any sport.”

Belmont, Minnesota Coaches Allegedly Dismissed Due to Lesbianism

wo rec e n t stories of coaches’ departures from their schools have once Lisa Howe again raised the specter of homophobia in women’s sports. In incidents separated by only a week, Belmont University’s Lisa Howe and Minnesota’s Katie Brenny became the latest victims of such homophobia, their supporters argue.

Senior player Erica Carter told AfterEllen.com that Howe requested permission from school officials to talk to her team about the pregnancy before they found out from other sources. She asked several times, but administrators ignored her. When word started getting out, Howe went ahead and told the team.

Howe, Belmont’s women’s soccer coach, resigned in early December, according to the official press release. But members of the soccer team say that Howe told them privately she was pressured into leaving after telling school administrators that she and her samesex partner were going to have a baby.

Howe has declined comment on whether she was pressured to resign, but did say she’s proud of the job she did at Belmont.

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Team captain Sari Lin said that Athletic Director Mike Strickland told her that Howe violated university policy regarding sexual orientation: “He basically said we have the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy and when she told us about the pregnancy, it violated that.”

“I was a good student-athlete recruiter, had an organized and professionally run program, and was one of

Belmont’s best employees,” Howe said in a statement issued by her attorney. “None of that changed when I acknowledged that I am a lesbian and that my partner and I are expecting a baby. I am proud of who I am and my family and our future, and I want every person – no matter what race, religion, nationality, or sexuality they represent – to feel the same way.” A week later Brenny, Minnesota’s women’s golf coach, was demoted because she is a lesbian, she contends. According to Brenny, after her superior discovered that she was gay, she was relegated to a desk job and was prohibited from training players or traveling with the team. Her attorney, Donald Chance Mark Jr., said that he has sufficient evidence to show that the demotion occurred immediately after the official who hired her found out that she is a lesbian.

9/11 Hero Mark Bingham’s Mother Calls Out John McCain “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is on its way out, but the anger at senators like Arizona’s John McCain lingers. Among those who have lashed out against the former presidential candidate is Alice Hoagland, the mother of Mark Bingham, one of the heroic passengers believed to have stormed the cockpit on United Airlines Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. “I’d hope that he’d take counsel with his wife and reconsider and realize that it’s a new day,” Hoagland told Salon days before the Senate voted to repeal the military policy. Bingham was a public relations executive living in San Francisco. The passionate rugby player had supported McCain during his run for president in 2000, and McCain delivered a eulogy for Bingham that was applauded by the gay community. McCain told those at Bingham’s services: “I may very well owe my life to

Mark and the others who summoned the enormous courage and love necessary to deny those depraved, hateful men their terrible triumph.” He continued: “In the Gospel of John it is written ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ Such was the love that Mark and his comrades possessed, as they laid down their lives for others. A love so sublime that only God’s love surpasses it.” Ten years later, however, McCain would be the most outspoken opponent of repealing the anti-gay military policy. “Senator McCain’s influence and validation would be wonderful,” Hoagland told Salon reporter Justin Elliott. “I just wish he weren’t quite so strident on this. … There is lots of evidence – including that survey that he now faults – that America is changing its mind.”

Thumbs THUMBS UP TO: The LPGA The organization’s membership voted last month to eliminate the tour’s requirement that players be “female at birth” and to allow transgender athletes to compete, less than two months after a transgender woman sued the tour in federal court. Lana Lawless, a retired police officer who had sex reassignment surgery in 2005 and who won the 2008 women’s world championship in long-drive golf, argued that the rule violated California civil rights law. Not only did the LPGA act appropriately, it acted swiftly, something we don’t see very often.

THUMBS DOWN TO: FIFA President Sepp Blatter The head of the international governing body for soccer said gays should “refrain from sex” while in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup. Blatter said that route would be respectful, given the country’s strict Muslim code of conduct. Sepp expressed regret for his comments a few days later. Clearly, Sepp’s apology was in response to the outrage caused by his comments, and not by a change in his attitude.

GAY SPORTS QUESTION OF THE MONTH Q. Tennis player Renee Richards played at the US Open five times from 1977 to 1981. What was her best finish?

The Chicago Gay Men’s Hockey Association helped raise funds for the Howard Brown Health Center Dec. 18 by hosting a holiday bar crawl through Halsted. No word yet on whether or not the players and their athletic supporters went dressed as they are in this photo. www.CompeteNetwork.com | COMPETE

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A. In 1979 Richards – who also played the Open five times as Richard Raskind prior to sex reassignment surgery – had her most successful tournament, advancing to the third round.

2010 Athlete of the Year Michael Holtz joined the Compete staff and readers at a party in his honor Dec. 10 at Cherry Bar in Phoenix.

KICK-OFF

SCOUTING REPORT: College Football Awards A LOOK AHEAD AT THE WORLD OF SPORTS

t was a stellar year in college football, with lots of surprise teams and out-of-nowhere players. Before the season most pundits had Alabama, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Boise State and Texas as top contenders for the BCS Championship Game; nobody predicted Oregon and Auburn. The preseason Heisman favorites included Mark Ingram, Terrell Pryor, Ryan Mallett and Jake Locker, none of whom maintained frontrunner status beyond mid-season; Cam Newton, on the other hand, wasn’t even a blip on the Heisman radar before the season.

Those are the things that make college football so exciting week-in and week-out.

MOST DISAPPOINTING TEAM: In any other year, solid cases could be made for: the ACC duo of Miami and North Carolina,

neither of which met expectations; Iowa, which faltered badly late in the season; or Florida, which found itself rebuilding in the post-Tebow era. But the biggest letdown came in Austin, where the Texas Longhorns went from preseason Top 10 to missing a bowl game for the first time since 1997, the year before Mack Brown arrived. Their 5-7 record was the worst in the Big 12 South.

BEST NEWS FOR BCS: Boise State’s late-season loss to conference foe Nevada assured the BCS that they would have at least one major conference team in their championship match-up. Had the Broncos run the table and either Oregon or Auburn lost, it would’ve been hard to keep them out of a title game. COACH OF THE YEAR: Many coaches – and teams – might have crumbled after losing an important non-conference game

the first week of the season and then following that up with a loss to a Division II school. But Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer brushed off the Boise State and James Madison setbacks by rattling off 11 straight wins, including a perfect ACC season. Runner up: LSU’s Les Miles.

OFF THE HOT SEAT … FOR NOW: Most figured a 6-6 record and no bowl invitation would keep Dennis Erickson from returning to his job at Arizona State. But the manner in which they lost the majority of those games – close, last-minute defeats – as well as a thrilling win over rival Arizona are reasons Erickson gets another chance. WORST NEWS FOR BCS: The fact that an 8-4 Connecticut team can take a spot in a BCS bowl over the likes of Michigan

State (11-1), Louisiana State (10-2), or any of the 10-win teams from the Big 12 (Nebraska, Missouri and Oklahoma State) is a farce. Perhaps the organization will want to add another qualifying standard … unless, that is, the BCS is not concerned about providing excellent match-ups.

SO LONG, BIG 12: Next season things will be different. The Pac-10 will be the Pac-12 with the addition of Utah and Colo-

rado, giving the conference the championship game many have wanted for a while. With the departures of Colorado and Nebraska, the Big 12 is left with only 10 teams, and the Big 10 (which had 11 teams previously) now has 12. Will they swap names? Or will the Big 12 try to fill those slots with BYU and another lower-tier team?

BEST PLAYER, HANDS DOWN: Michigan’s Dennard Robinson actually has stats pretty close to Cam Newton, but the Auburn

quarterback was, without a doubt, the best player in college football this past season. His 20 rushing touchdowns to go along with his 28 through the air (and only 6 interceptions) bear out his brilliance on the field. Runner-up: Oregon running back LaMichael James.

2011 PRESEASON FAVORITE: Expect the Oregon Ducks to be back on top, with James returning as a Heisman darling,

and perhaps he will be joined by his teammate, quarterback Darron Thomas. Oklahoma and Ohio State will also have their quarterbacks, Landry Jones and Terrell Pryor, trying to push their teams to the BCS title game. Darkhorses: Nebraska, with Taylor Martinez playing next year’s Cam Newton role, and South Carolina, which returns the powerful offensive combo of Marcus Lattimore and Stephen Garcia.

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ocks J

Cheerleaders

becoming

Professional Athletes Buck Trend, Stand Up For Marriage Equality by Buddy Early

f you’ve ever been inside a football locker room or a baseball clubhouse, then you know that they are testosterone-filled settings: muscular, sweaty guys, fresh from a game or practice, acting in ways they normally wouldn’t act in the company of the opposite sex. They are places where “boys will be boys” and “men can be men” – it’s where you will find the primal urge to be the “butchest” in the room. The last thing an athlete wants is for one of his teammates or coaches to question his manhood. Perhaps that is why it is so rare for professional athletes to come out in support of gay equality. The football player who says gay couples should be allowed to marry may have people questioning his sexual orientation. The basketball player who makes it known he has gay friends might get some raised eyebrows. And the baseball player who advocates an end to discrimination runs the risk of turning off loyal fans (many of whom have their own irrational hang-ups about gay people).

<<< Former Detroit Piston Isiah Thomas and his son Zeke stood for NOH8 last summer.

Photo by Adam Bouska/ courtesy NOH8 Campaign

In the last two years, however, we’ve been witness to a few brave professional athletes who’ve decided it is time to step up and speak out. They recognize that their voice can be powerful, and that if change is going to come it will come faster if they are squarely in the game instead of on the sidelines. It is interesting to note that three such individuals from the National Football League all come from the defensive side of the ball; they all have tough reputations for going out and stuffing running backs and receivers. For the Jets’ Antonio Cromartie, the Browns’ Scott Fujita and the Ravens’ Brendon Ayanbadejo, the ramifications for publicly supporting equality could have been severe. But their performance on the field belies the argument that they are anything but “all man.” When butch, hard-hitting football players start supporting gay equality, then you know you’re seeing progress. www.CompeteNetwork.com | COMPETE

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Cromartie became the first professional football player to participate in the NOH8 Campaign, a photography project aimed at re-

There is a bit of a taboo in the sports world when it to comes to LGBT issues,” said Parshley, explaining that it takes just one who will break the silence to eradicate that taboo. “If “When people look up to somebody (fans) see that person and idolize someone like (them) … speaking out it could encourage them to rethink that triggers something in people’s (their ideas about gay heads.” people and equality).” versing California’s Proposition 8. Since November 2008 (when the proposition was passed by California voters) over 8,000 people have had their photo taken by photographer Adam Bouska in support of the campaign. In 2010, Cromartie became one of two high-profile athletes to take part. According to NOH8 Co-founder Jeff Parshley, Cromartie and his wife Terricka reached out to the organization when the couple was visiting Los Angeles last fall. It just so happened that NOH8 was also starting production on a series of public service announcements, so Cromartie lent his voice to one with an anti-bullying message, along with the likes of Megan McCain, Gene Simmons, Denise Richards and Jeff Probst. “We wanted to use his voice to project to his fans so that people will start to listen and hear the message,” Parshley told Compete. “They believe in equality and they wanted to make that public.” Parshley believes that when a well-known professional athlete speaks out on an issue then it definitely sends a strong message – perhaps an even stronger message than when other celebrities do the same.

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NOH8 has been blessed with two high-profile athletes in recent months. Hall of Fame basketball player and coach Isiah Thomas and his son Zeke posed for a NOH8 photo last summer. In terms of prominent athletes from the basketball world, they don’t get much more prominent than Thomas; he is a 12-time All Star, a two-time NBA champion, an NBA Finals MVP, and a member of the league’s 50th Anniversary AllTime Team. Thomas’ son, a dj, had been following the campaign

since its beginning and brought the elder Thomas to the studio when both happened to be in L.A. “We posed for the NOH8 Campaign because we believe that all hate and discrimination is wrong,” the pair said on Bouska’s website. “It is time for full equality and equal rights

for everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, religion, or gender.” The sports world is a very new demographic being targeted by equality advocates. Compete and others – like the website Outsports and sports bars such as Roscoes in Phoenix, Sidelines in Ft. Lauderdale and GymBar in New York/ Los Angeles – have brought a love for sports into the mainstream gay community. However, it’s sports fans outside the gay community who are the target, says Parshley, pointing out there’s only so much preaching to the choir one can do. “It’s like putting up a NOH8 billboard in West Hollywood.” The sports fan demographic, then, is crucial to campaigns like NOH8 and the “It Gets Better” video project if the goal truly is to educate and change the minds and hearts of all Americans. Said Parshley: “When people look up to somebody and idolize someone like (them) … that triggers something in people’s heads.” That may have been what Scott Fujita and Brendon A y a n badejo were thinking when t h e y made

Antonio Cromartie

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their decisions to speak out in favor of marriage equality. Fujita, a Super Bowl-winning linebacker from his time with the New Orleans Saints, has repeatedly gone public with his beliefs on same-sex marriage. In fact, during the two-week media frenzy leading up to last February’s title game, Fujita was talking equality while most other players were talking smack. And it wasn’t the first time he’d done so. Several months earlier Ayanbadejo had contributed a blog to The Huffington Post that outlined his viewpoint on same-sex marriage. Fujita was the only active player to rush to Ayanbadejo’s defense, calling the blog “incredibly insightful, thought-provoking, and completely on point.” Ayanbadejo wrote: “If Britney Spears can party it up in Vegas with one of

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her boys and go get married on a whim and annul her marriage the next day, why can’t a loving samesex couple tie the knot? How could our society grant more rights to a heterosexual one-night stand wedding in Vegas than a gay couple that has been together for 3, 5, 10 years of true love? The divorce rate in America is currently 50 percent. I am willing to bet that same-sex marriages have a higher success rate than heterosexual marriages.” He continued: “I think we will look back in 10, 20, 30 years and be amazed that gays and lesbians did not have the same rights as everyone else. How did this ever happen in the land of the free and the home of the brave? Are we really free?”

the Jets in the off-season; Fujita is having one of his best seasons plugging a hole at outside linebacker for the Browns; and at 34 years old, Ayanbadejo has come back from injury to resume his role as a special teams ace for the Ravens. So, basically, these guys are still doing just fine in their careers. After the examples already set by these gentlemen, perhaps more football players – or professional athletes from any sport, for that matter – will be motivated to stand up for what they know is right. According to Fujita there are plenty of his fellow players who support equality and would be likely to speak out, he told The Advocate; reporters just need to ask the right questions.

That blog appeared in April 2009. Twenty-one months later Ayanbadejo, Fujita and now Cromartie are still “I think we will look back in 10, 20, the only NFL players to go public with their sup30 years and be amazed that gays port of gay equaland lesbians did not have the same ity. But Fujita rights as every one else. How did believes that will this ever happen in the land of the change eventufree and the home of the brave? Are ally, having told The Advocate: “I we really free?” think there will be a third player who expresses support for gay “All it will take is someone who marriage ... and a fourth asks more guys their opinion. … player, and a fifth, and We’re more than just football playso on.” ers, and many of us are much more open and tolerant than we get credIf there are any it for. The reality, however, is that repercussions to be the locker room just isn’t the place felt for speaking out where these issues are discussed, the way they have, and your everyday beat writer for none of these playthe local sports page doesn’t get ers have experipaid to ask those questions.” enced them yet. Cromartie has But if more athletes speak out, had another maybe the locker rooms will feature solid year regular conversations about equalafter being ity. Then, we will definitely know traded to we’re seeing progress.

| January 2011

Dog Days of Kyle Lashley

Out Sledder Seeks His Place in Racing Sport By Heather Robinson

good sled dog racer needs the instincts of Doctor Doolittle, the endurance of Lance Armstrong and the toughness of a scrappy street fighter. If that dog sled racer also happens to be gay, he or she better have courage and patience to spare as well. 26 | COMPETE

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Though Kyle Lashley grew up in the outdoorsman’s paradise of Oregon, he never considered himself much of an athlete. “When I got to high school I was more reclusive and didn’t do a lot of the things I wanted to do. I hit a point where I avoided extracurricular ac-

tivities all together.” Instead of taking part in sports and other activities Lashley found himself struggling with his identity and just trying to cope with growing up gay in a traditionally religious family while living in a small, conservative town. “I didn’t feel comfort-

San Francisco City College when he got an offer that changed his life. If he could be in Bend, Oregon, in a couple of days there was a job in a sled dog kennel waiting for him. He jumped at the offer and while on the job learned to work with sled dogs, which led to him becoming the sighted race partner of visually-impaired sled dog racer Rachel Scdoris. He was hooked from the start. “There’s just a certain feel to running dogs. There is just nothing like it. Once you step on the runners you never want to get off.” Races can be anywhere from two to 1,000 miles and both racer and dogs must be in peak condition to withstand the unpredictable demands of the trail. According to Lashley, running up hills, often at high elevation and weighed down with gear, is one important component of dog sledding fitness. “Running behind the sled is like forced exercise. It’s kind of like a treadmill except you don’t get to set the speed.”

able expressing myself. I didn’t know who I could trust.” Lashley came out his senior year in high school and life became even more uncomfortable. “It changed a lot of things and it became awkward with most of my friends. It was definitely a big shift and very difficult.” Looking for a fresh start and a place where he could feel comfortable being himself, Lashley sold everything he owned and moved to San Francisco. He was taking classes at

Racers like Lashley are always striving to stay warm and support their dogs while not pushing themselves to sweaty, freezing exhaustion. Lashley also needs to keep his core and upper-body strong enough to maneuver his 100-pound sled over and around any other obstacles that Mother Nature throws in his path. “Running dogs is extremely hard work. You have to like being exhausted seven days a week, but it’s all worth it for the times when you’re in the middle of nowhere and it’s snowing and quiet and all you can hear is the dogs breathing.” Lashley also loves working with athletes of the four-legged variety. “You can train a team to run hundreds of miles and well-trained dogs will run as much as you ask them to,” he said. Dogs are completely controlled by voice commands and no reins are ever used. Lashley has learned the hard way that even well-trained dogs have bad days, like during the Seeley

Lake 200 when his team decided to completely stop an hour from the finish line. “Dogs are just like people, they have personalities. You can make it to the middle of nowhere and then they get bored and just stop.” Lashley and his race partner spent an hour rearranging the pack, trying to find a combination that would get them going again. Equipment failures can also derail forward momentum. “It’s not easy to fix anything when you’ve got all the puffy gear on, the wind is blowing and it’s 20 below,” said Lashley. Navigating the course can also be tricky and missing or covered trail markers can lead racers way off course. Lashley pointed out: “If you haven’t seen a trail marker in a while, chances are you’re off course.” Everything that can go wrong during a race or training run has taught Lashley a lot about being all in. “One of the greatest things about running dogs is that once you step on the runners and leave the yard you are committed. You cannot step off and go sit down. You are in it till the dogs get you back to the yard.” The musher him or herself is the final variable in the winning combination. “It takes a lot of willpower to keep going when you’re tired, cold and miserable and it’s not fun anymore.” During the low points sometimes Lashley wonders why he does it, but when he sees the finish line the adrenaline rush always reminds him. “It’s not a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. It’s not just something you do on the weekends. You have to do it every day and commit to it. “It’s just something that I love to do.” Unfortunately for Lashley, winning sled dog races probably isn’t going to land him on the front of a Wheaties Box any time soon. Sled dog racing is a financially demand-

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ing sport and even established racers struggle to secure funds to support their racing habits. As a new racer Lashley is entirely self-funded, which means he has to figure out a way to get to the usually cold and remote locations where the races take places as well as pay for dogs, equipment and race fees. “People don’t get rich running dogs, it’s not something you do for financial gain,” says Lashley. It has taken him a few years to get comfortable socially in the somewhat isolated, rural communities where dog sledding thrives. “The social life in Alaska is definitely different from the Bay Area. There just aren’t that many people. It’s cold and dark and miserable and people just drink all the time.” He often wondered if he would ever be able to have a social life while taking part in the sport he loves. “I

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always kind of felt I was sacrificing a certain part of me to do this. Every year I would think, ‘Do I want to keep racing or do I want to move back to California where I feel more comfortable? Can I have a boyfriend or do I need to keep it under wraps?’” He began to come out to a few people he trusted and has been pleasantly surprised with the support he has received. “I’m now more comfortable being out and realize that there are small communities of gay people and people who support

gay people as long as you aren’t afraid to connect. I can have a social life and run dogs. I don’t have to leave one thing if I want to do the other.” Lashley started out the 2011 season with a solid finish in the Alaska Excursion 120, a two-day race of 60mile heats. When he’s not racing he supports himself training dogs and running tours.

To be included in our MVP section, e-mail MVP@competenetwork.com

WHY HE LOVES HIS SPORT: “I have loved playing since T-ball. In some ways it takes me back to being a kid again. For me it’s a great way to meet new people and spend time with friends that share the same interests.”

FAVORITE ATHLETE: Nolan Ryan

BEST PHYSICAL FEATURE: Butt

DISLIKES: Slow drivers in the fast lane, closed-minded individuals, cigarette smoke, being late

LIKES: Meeting new people, laughing, dancing, music, traveling, setting and accomplishing personal goals

INTERESTS: Softball, weightlifting, anything outdoors, home improvement projects

SINGLE OR TAKEN: Taken

TEAM: LA Vanquish

POSITION: Pitcher/1st Base

SPORT: Softball

HOMETOWN: San Antonio

CITY: Los Angeles

AGE: 33

JEFF NORRIS

TEAM COMPETE MV P

Photos by Max Quezada

Gay Sports Groups Create 2011 Calendars to Raise Funds From south Florida to sunny California, many sports organizations in recent years have turned to creating calendars as a means to raise money for themselves or for charities. A number of groups are continuing the trend this year, and the bar continues to be raised higher and higher. That’s one way to say these photos are HOT! It may already be January, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to get one of these calendars and enjoy the photos for (at least) the next 12 months. (What you do with it after it expires is your own business.)

GLASA Wall Calendar A few teams with the Greater Los Angeles Softball Association are having a contest and you are the winner. The teams have created a 2011 wall calendar full of their hottest softball players in Los Angeles (and trust that there are many). The competition to sell the most calendars is fierce, with all the proceeds going directly back to the specific teams and AIDS Project Los Angeles’ Necessities of Life Program. To order a calendar, visit www.glasasoftball.org.

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Phoenix Champions Calendar For their inaugural calendar Circuit City PR put the focus on the gay volleyball community of the Valley of the Sun. Athletes who were photographed are continuing to make appearances and sell the calendar at Phoenix-area businesses. Information on additional ways to purchase it can be found at www.facebook.com/ City-Circuit-PR. A portion of the proceeds will be donated back to community sports organizations.

Cost: $10

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Rugby United 2011 The Minneapolis Mayhem RFC has brought together rugby players from teams affiliated with the International Gay Rugby Association and Board. In all, 13 teams participated in the Black & White calendar, from hometown Twin Cities athletes to those from other parts of the U.S.: Los Angeles, Dallas and Atlanta … and even a few from such faraway places as Manchester, Copenhagen and Sydney. Purchase this international project at: www.mayhemrfc.com/calendar.

Cost: $5

Sidelines Sports Calendar Many of south Florida’s local cuties are showcased in Sidelines’ new output, a cooperative effort by the bar and community organizations. Each month’s calendar photo features one of the winners from the recent Model Search at Sidelines Sports Bar. The proceeds from the sale of the calendar will be donated to Broward House and the Cooperative Feeding Program of Broward County. To purchase, visit Sidelines Sports Bar, Island City Health & Fitness and some of Wilton Manor’s nearby retailers. Visit www.sidelinessports.com for more information.

Cost: $10

Men of Homorodeo.com The newest in the series of Men of HomoRodeo.com calendars will once again assist rodeo competitors participate in gay rodeos around North America. This year the guys at Homorodeo.com considered the feedback they have received from fans and have designed three different calendars! Order by visiting www.homorodeo.com.

Cost: $19.99

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e r a D Dave I

n my first Dare Dave challenge I took to the streets of Palm Springs for their annual AIDS Walk & 5K Run. It was the first Dare Dave and I chose to start off quite sedately by doing the Walk while having a co-worker do the more strenuous Run. A good time was had by all but for the next challenge I felt the need … the need for speed! It was decided that I needed to follow-up the Walk with some real manly high-octane fun so last month I was sent to the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving. With Editor Buddy Early along to document the morning’s activities (and my possible demise in a spectacular car crash) I was assigned to instructor Will Barker, a 15-year professional who has seen all kinds of driving enthusiasts come through the school: young and old, men and women, outgoing and shy, American and … me. The day started with Bondurant PR guru Eric Tunell giving us a history of the 20-year-old school located just south of Phoenix, the largest facility of its kind in North America. After a rundown of how the day would work we were given a tour of the facilities, including the impressive Bondurant Museum. With over 200 performance vehicles, from karts to Formula cars, and access to four different racetracks, I knew we were in the right place for some serious driving excitement. And then it was finally time to get behind the wheel!

Based on the fact that I’m a foreigner, used to driving on the other side of the road, with the driver’s seat on the other side of the car, 42 | COMPETE

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who hasn’t driven stick in a long time, and with the stick on the other side, it was decided by all parties involved that I should drive an automatic for the day. A silver Corvette Z51 automatic! I was fine with that! I was expecting some basic instruction on driving one of these cars (that is offered in other courses available) but we went straight out onto the track for a lead/follow exercise. I was fourth in the line behind Instructor Will and two new Corvette owners who were learning about driving their new toy. The lead/follow exercise is Will leading us around the track demonstrating the proper lines and braking points, building speed each lap. Once I had a feel for the car and was comfortable with the 1.6 mile Bondurant Track, I started to push my limits a little and during one of my faster laps Buddy tells me I came dangerously close to rear-ending the car in front of me. Of course this was not the case at all as I was just demonstrating a principle Will had taught us; we should always brake hard but never completely, there should always be some braking in reserve. It was all under control!

After calming down from the rush of the track laps we moved on to the road safety section of the class. This involved slaloms through cones at increasing speeds, and then a braking/reaction time exercise. In this exercise I learned the technique “lift, turn, squeeze” when reacting to green and red light signals. I was told I was “a pretty short stopper.” Now there’s something I don’t hear every day.

Hi, Bob!

Bondurant is Not Your Typical Driving School At the largest purpose-built state-of-the-art facility – dubbed the “Fastest 60 Acres in America” – first-time visitors to the Bondurant School are generally not prepared for the size, scope and energy of The Bondurant School. One look and you see that Bondurant is committed to professional driving instruction. The size and scope of the Bondurant training facility is beyond comparison. The highlight of the day for me was always going to be the “hot lap.” This would be when I ride along with Instructor Will at the wheel showing what these cars can really do around the track. Unfortunately Will had to go to lunch, but luckily there was another driver on hand – none other than Bob Bondurant himself. Mr. Bondurant (above, in black) has a motorsports career spanning more than 40 years so it was especially exciting to get the chance to be his passenger. As fast and as thrilling as I thought my own laps around the track were, they were pedestrian compared to the thrill of the hot lap with Mr. Bondurant. It was exciting, fascinating, terrifying, and thrilling all at the same time! I felt the need for speed, and I got it! And I also learned so much during this challenge. I could go into so much more detail about the experience but space is limited, so check out competenetwork.com for more.

Located just south of Phoenix, adjacent to Firebird International Raceway, the Bondurant School is a multi-million dollar racing enterprise. The Bondurant School is the world’s finest driving school featuring a 15-turn, 1.6mile road course, specifically designed by Bob Bondurant for high performance, race driving, and advanced driving instruction. The course consists of a variety of corners and elevation changes that will challenge both novices and professionals alike. Bondurant utilizes Firebird Raceway’s three other tracks for selected advanced road racing and corporate group programs. In addition, an eight-acre asphalt pad is used for advanced driver training with exercises on the Throttle Steer Circle, Handling Oval, Accident Avoidance Simulator, Slalom Course, Autocross and Skid Pad. The Bondurant fleet consists of over 200 cars, including open wheel, formula-style cars. All vehicles are specially prepared for the Bondurant School. Since 1968, Bob Bondurant has developed the Bondurant Method of training – effective for teens to professional drivers to military special forces and security professionals. Through this method of training, the school offers a multitude of courses for any skill level. Courses such as the signature Grand Prix Road Racing, High Performance Driving, as well as Advanced Teen Driving programs. For course listings, rates, specials and information on group events visit www.bondurant. com or call 1-800-842-RACE (7223).

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Training

appy 2011. I am delighted and honored to be a member of the Compete family. Thanks to all of your kind words and positive reaction to my last column I have been asked to be a regular contributor to the magazine. I am looking forward to sharing my training tips and fitness hints with you. And what better time to begin than the new year. First, a little history lesson. You might not know that the tradition of New Year’s resolutions goes all the way back to 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome, was placed at the head of the calendar. With two faces (sounds like a few old boyfriends or girlfriends), Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. Janus became the ancient symbol for resolutions and many Romans looked for forgiveness from their enemies and also exchanged gifts before the beginning of each year. I thought I would give you framework to use so that you can decide on the resolutions that are right for you. And then, some quick tips to help jump-start your new fitness program.

Most of all: BE FLEXIBLE. Expect that your plan can and will change. Life has a funny way of throwing unexpected things at us, and flexibility is required to complete anything but the simplest of goals. Sometimes the goal itself will even change. Recognize partial successes at every step along the way. And remember a slip is not a fall. If you have a few bad days, or weeks, don’t

TIPS FOR STAYING FIT & HEALTHY: BY KEN HUNT

Tips for the New Year Create a plan. Setting a goal without formulating a plan is merely wishful thinking. In order for your resolution to have resolve (as the word “resolution” implies), it must translate into clear steps that can be put into action. A good plan will tell you: A) What to do next; and B) What are all of the steps required to complete the goal. Create your plan immediately. If you’re like most people, then you’ll have a limited window of opportunity during the first few days of January to harness your motivation. After that, most people forget their resolutions completely. Write down your resolutions and your plan. This will help you stick to it. Use a notebook, journal or special file on your computer or iPhone, or that brand new IPad you got for the holidays. Think “year round,” not just New Year’s. Nothing big gets accomplished in one day. Resolutions are set in one day, but accomplished with hundreds of tiny steps throughout the year. New Year’s resolutions should be nothing more than a starting point. You must develop a ritual or habit for revisiting your plan.

let it get you down. Point yourself back in the right direction and move forward. Just as a resolution isn’t accomplished the day it’s started, neither is it accomplished the day you reach your goal. Rather, it’s accomplished in many small increments along the way. Acknowledge these successes as they come. Good Luck!

Ken Hunt is an [American Fitness Institute] AFI-certified trainer and owner of Steel Gym, ranked one of the top five gyms in the United States by Muscle and Fitness Magazine and ranked “#1 Gym in New York” by the AFI. Steel Gym is located at 146 W. 23rd St. in Manhattan. Call 212-3529876, e-mail info@SteelGym.com or visit www.SteelGym.com for more information. Also follow Steel Gym at Facebook.com/SteelGymNYC and Twitter.com/SteelGym. 46 | COMPETE

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Now here are some quick tips and hints to get things moving in the right direction

Tip #1

Tip #4

way fast

Just by flexing a few times each day, you can maintain a significant amount of muscle tone. Simply flex those muscles whenever you’re sitting in your car, standing at the bus stop or walking to the boss’ office. (Or as way to get your significant other interested in a little “bedroom calisthenics.”) Stuck in traffic? Then tighten your abdominals and hold for 60 seconds. Keep breathing through your nostrils. Maybe you’re waiting in line at the store checkout. Nothing much to do? Hardly! Flex and tighten your legs and hold for 30 seconds. Believe it or not, this can help to strengthen and tighten the muscle. It won’t exactly provide the benefit that weight-training will give you, but it will get you started in the right direction.

Let me get this out of the Perform one exercise movement per day for five consecutive days and perform only that movement for eight non-stop minutes (taking appropriate short seconds of rest to catch your breath). For example, perform bent-knee push-ups on Monday; lunges on Tuesday; abdominal crunches on Wednesday; squats with your hands on your hips on Thursday; and all of the above exercises in succession on Friday. I guarantee it will be quick and you’ll definitely feel it.

Tip #2 It takes two

Research has proven that exercise is just as effective if performed in separate bouts. Go for two 10-minute walks per day. Try one walk in the morning before work and one in the afternoon at lunch. It adds up to 20 quick and efficient minutes of exercise per day.

Tip #3

Button up your overcoat and get outside

Commune with nature! To jumpstart your workout, your body and your soul, get out of the house and do part of your exercise in a natural environment. You’ll find you can move and breathe better outdoors. Go for a walk, jog or cycle. Take your kids or pets to the park and actually play with them.

Tighten up and feel good

Tip #5 Hit the stores and shop Mall shoppers can take the stairs a specific number of times. For example, decide that you’ll take the stairs 10 times and you won’t leave until you’ve completed all 10 repetitions. Spread it out during your shopping as much as you need, but be sure to complete the 10 repetitions. You can make a game of it by shopping a bit on the upper level and then switching to the lower level. Remember to use the stairs … not the escalator!

Let’s not forget the diet. Make these simple small changes and watch what happens.

CHANGE #1: If you usually drink regular soda,

STOP! Lose more than two pounds in a month without trying (estimating about 10 cans per week). One 12-ounce can of soda has 150-170 calories and no nutrition. Have ice cold water or club soda — try the flavored ones for a little variety. If you must have a soda, then chose a diet or low calorie one. But limit yourself to one every few days. Better yet – just one a week as a treat.

CHANGE #2

: Switch from potato chips to pretzels. One serving of chips has 60 more calories than pretzels, and 10 times more fat grams. Just changing this snack will help you lose onehalf pound this month. Better yet, switch to baby carrots or other veggies and lose another halfpound.

CHANGE #3

: If you have a fast food fixation then choose the junior or kids size. Still think you will be hungry, then enjoy a side salad, too. The junior-sized sandwich is plenty for you and is very satisfying on its own. Eliminate the mayo on the junior and you’re doing even better You’ll drop at least three-quarters of a pound just by switching from a large size to a smaller one.

CHANGE #4

: Instead of sitting for hours in front of the television, get on your exercise bike and pedal during commercials! You’ll burn about 200 calories. Do it at least five evenings per week during your favorite program. Can you say Glee! Figure you’ll be pedaling about 20 minutes a day, and lose another pound!

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On Pace to Race Injury Prevention for Marathon Runners

ith another turn of the calendar, we know that a good number of you have made resolutions related to fitness. Many of you will begin – or have already begun – training to run in marathons. In the first few months of the year, in fact, there are more than three-dozen marathons scheduled for cities across North America, including popular ones in Orlando, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Miami and New Orleans. There are plenty of opportunities for avid marathon runners as well as newcomers. But training for a 26.2-mile race is no easy feat, which is why it is so important to take precaution and keep your body in tow to prevent injury before, during and after the race. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) urges runners to follow a running regimen that suits their activity-level and to not overlook aches and pains, no matter how minor they may seem. “Completing a marathon is a huge accomplishment, but what many people don’t realize is that just getting to the starting line is half the battle,” said Dr. Ron Noy. “Many common overuse injuries, such as tendonitis, shin splints and stress fractures, which take runners out of the race, can be prevented. Have at least a year of consistent running under your belt before beginning marathon training 48 | COMPETE

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and then find a progressive program that matches your skill level.” According to the Running USA Road Running Information Center annual marathon report, 2009 saw a record 467,000 U.S. marathon finishers, an increase of 42,000 over the previous year. In 2009 more than 165,000 people were treated in hospitals, doctor’s offices and emergency rooms for running injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Preparing for a 26.2-mile race means high mileage, and high mileage means runners are spending more time on their feet and out in the sun than ever before, making them vulnerable to a number of injuries. The AAOS wants to help these athletes get to the finish line safely and offers the following training and injury prevention tips:

running group is another option that allows runners to follow a program that will gently build up mileage, and do so at a realistic pace. Keep in mind to gradually increase your mileage, no more than 10 percent per week, and allow yourself at least one day off each week. ® In high altitudes, runners should gradually acclimate themselves to lower oxygen levels, by slow, steady increases in speed and distance. ® During hot weather, running should be scheduled in the early morning or evening hours, to avoid heat exhaustion. Keep hydrated and wear at least SPF 15 sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat with a visor to help stay cool. ® In cool weather, you are less likely to get chilled if you run into the wind when you start running and run with the wind at the finish.

® Throw out old athletic shoes. After 250-500 miles of use, 60 percent of a shoe’s shock absorption is lost.

® Make sure you have access to water on your route. You can lose between six and 12 ounces of fluid for every 20 minutes of running. For every pound lost, drink one pint of fluid.

® Take the time to warm up. A good warm-up prepares your body for more intense activity. It gets your blood flowing, raises your muscle temperature, and increases your breathing rate.

® Just as a warm-up prepares your body for exercise, an effective cool down gives your body time to recover. Once you are breathing easily, stretch while your muscles are still warm.

® Avoid doing too much, too soon. Planning a progressive running program that also includes stretching, warm-ups and cool-downs will help prevent injuries. A

® Rest days are just as important as training days. Give your muscles the time they need to rest and rebuild each week to avoid overuse injuries.

Off and Running Film Hood to Coast Documents Runners’ Greatest Challenge

new documentary about the world’s largest relay race aims to capture the spirit of the runner like never before. Hood to Coast, directed and produced by Christoph Baaden, follows four teams on their epic journey as they try to conquer the 197-mile race that starts at Oregon’s Mt. Hood. Along the way, participants realize that winning isn’t everything; the film focuses on a celebratory look at personal motivation and attempting the extraordinary. The annual Hood To Coast Relay has run every year since 1982. The race started as an inauspicious event for a group of dedicated runners to stretch their legs and expand on the everyday running experience. The idea was that 12 people would divide themselves into two groups of six, run three legs each and cover the nearly 200-mile distance from the mountain to the ocean. In 1982 only eight teams ran, but within a decade, the race had grown to the point where they had to cap the number of teams at 1,000. The route shifted to

avoid heavily trafficked highways, and the exchange points were no longer at precise five-mile intervals. As the race grew to unprecedented proportions, they needed to find convenient stopping points for 2,000 vans that now wound their way through the Oregon countryside. More importantly, the race had become an adventure not only for serious athletes, but amateur runners and thrill seekers. Team names began to describe not only the origins of the team, but the attitude they would carry with them on the course. These days, each team decorates their vans and takes on a race persona, lending a joyous, carnival atmosphere that lasts 197 miles.

will screen across the U.S. at over 300 theaters. Directly following the documentary, moviegoers will hear from a distinguished group of expert runners, Olympians, and running world giants as they discuss their experience of participating in the Hood to Coast Relay and its unique place in the history of American running. The film will screen at 8 p.m. EST. For tickets and information, visit www.hoodtocoastmovie.com.

For a special onenight event on Jan. 11, Hood To Coast

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OVERTIME

GAME TAPE FILM & TELEVISION PREVIEWS

Compete is Out for the Long Run By Connie Wardman

f one picture is worth a thousand words, then how many words is a feature-length documentary worth? For a number of U.S. gay athletes – two high school seniors, two college freshmen and a former high school student no longer playing sports as well as the families of these athletes, a couple of adult Olympic Gold Medalists, three coaches, several straight teammates and one entire high school population – the answer is “priceless.” These are the very reallife cast members of the feature documentary, Out for the Long Run. Following a year in the life of these courageous high school and college student-athletes who have come out to family, friends, classmates and coaches, it tells their personal stories in a way that honors their varied experiences of being “out” athletes.

Reading a Los Angeles Times article three years ago about the courage it takes young athletes to come out is what prompted Tragoidia Moving Pictures founder, Scott Bloom (a high school wrestler in his own right) and his partner, Larry Diamond, to make the Out for the Long Run documentary. While work as a professional freelance editor for feature documentaries,

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situation comedies, film trailers and reality television pays the bills, Bloom’s true passion is filming features such as this one that advocate for the GLBT community. In his words, filming incredible and inspirational stories of people is what feeds his soul. While the documentary isn’t all filled with horror stories, it’s also not all sunshine and sweetness. There is, in particular, a painfully honest yet touching conversation with the father of one of the college athletes about his struggle accepting his son’s sexual orientation. For all members of the GLBT community, coming out is an important rite of passage that finally allows you to be honest with others about who you are. But that honesty also leaves you vulnerable. Coming out can carry with it heavy physical, mental and emotional penalties that often lead to drug and alcohol addictions, even suicide, in an attempt to escape the pain. Yet not being honest about who you are is its own particular prison of silence. It requires you to live a lie, to be eternally uncomfortable in your own skin so that others can continue being comfortable in theirs without requiring them to change their awareness of others.

Because we are a sports-oriented society, for GLBT studentathletes the question of when, how or even if they should come out is raised to an even higher pitch simply because of the additional sports stereotypes they must overcome and the additional attention paid to them just because they’re involved in one of our national obsessions. They must confront the “everyone knows” syndrome – for example, “everyone knows all jocks are straight,” “everyone knows gays can’t play sports,” “everyone knows all women athletes are lesbians,” and the list goes on. During the years when teen peer pressure is at its most intense, it requires an immense amount of

Scott Bloom courage for young gay athletes to take on the additional pressure of coming out while still in high school or college. Their coming out experience and the associated stars and/or scars gained in the process clearly influence how they act and react as adults. And if their talent is high enough to potentially rocket them into the ranks of professional sports, their tough choices get even tougher. The reason being that homophobia surrounding sports is still so strong that it keeps practically all gay professional athletes in the closet until after they retire. Many gay youth who recognize how different they are from their peers tend to be overachievers. Knowing that, Bloom decided to focus on out student-athletes who were both high scholastic and athletic achievers. His vision was to follow them through the ups and downs of their entire 2008-2009 academic year, but he had some big challenges to overcome. One was simply how to find a good mix of high-achieving gay student-athletes across the country. The other big challenge was how to gain permission to work with minors on a project meant for mass media exposure in today’s world of heavily guarded personal privacy. Enter Facebook, California’s Berkeley High School and Connecticut College. Thanks to the explosion of social media, many potential student-athletes wound up contacting the production company directly. Connecticut College, a very diverse and forward thinking campus, welcomed the film crew and so did Berkeley High School, thanks to a good experience with a prior documentary filmmaker. 52 | COMPETE

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The only caveat was that they didn’t interrupt the school’s normal daily flow. The most complete story in the documentary is that of Austin Snyder, a top-flight runner from Berkeley High School. Covering his senior year’s daily activities in the classroom, at track practices and competitions, and at home via a personal video diary, it includes his angst due to a stress fracture that temporarily halts his running and how he manages to get back into shape once the doctor gives him the green light. Also included is the refreshing reaction of his parents to his announcement that he is gay. Rather than being disturbed by that, what really disturbs them is the fact that their “little boy” was grown up enough to have sex. Perhaps the most interesting and feel-good part is Snyder’s acceptance to Brown University. That leads to him meeting his first boyfriend. It’s a wonderful reminder that in spite of all the potential problems associated with coming out to one’s family, there are still parents who understand and practice love and acceptance with their children. In fact, according to Bloom, one of the most important lessons learned during this project was that unless they’re heavily influenced by homophobic attitudes at home, the great majority of students really don’t care if one of their school’s athletes is gay. And while Snyder’s coach admitted to his initial prejudice about gay athletes, he said that because he knew Austin as a person, as one of the students on the track team prior to his coming out, it positively changed how he reacted to him.

Since coming out is still considered a career killer for current professional athletes, one of the cogent questions is whether or not this young generation of “out” scholar/athletes will be able to change the face of professional sports with their early openness and acceptance of their own homosexuality. When asked what he wants Out for the Long Run to accomplish, Bloom clearly wants it to gain wide exposure as an educational tool for people of all ages. Because it isn’t a finger-wagging documentary, he believes it helps people to realize that one of the gay student-athletes in the film could be their child, their neighbor or friend. The documentary has already been shown at the New Orleans Big Easy Film Festival and is scheduled to be shown at both the Palm Springs International and the Santa Barbara film festivals this month, the Melbourne Queer Film Festival in March and there are plans for a showing in London in May. There’s also been interest by some educators wanting to use it as part of the diversity education programs within their school systems. Already championed by a film school professor at a major university, the documentary may well wind up being picked up by some of the major television networks and film distribution companies. But if you don’t want to wait for it to hit national distribution, you can purchase Out for the Long Run on the Tragoidia Moving Pictures website, www.tragoidia.com. After all, Bloom is happy to change people’s minds, one viewer at a time.

OVERTIME

SCOREBOARD RESULTS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE

SOFTBALL RESULTS HURRICANE SHOWDOWN – FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA. B Division

Champions: Knoxville Cyclones 2nd Place: Orlando All-Stars 3rd Place: Ft. Lauderdale Manor Eagles C Division Champions: Orlando Scrappers 2nd Place: Ft. Lauderdale Bill’s Blue Crush 3rd Place: Orlando Shock D Division Champions: Tampa Panthers 2nd Place: Tampa G-Bar Aces 3rd Place: Orlando Smokey Bones Sliders

VOLLEYBALL RESULTS PRESIDENT’S QUEER CUP CLASSIC – WASHINGTON, D.C. A Division

Champions: NY Bicha Sucia 2.0 2nd Place: Baltimore B-More Boys 3rd Place: NY Misfits B Division Champions: NY Whitney and the Crack Cocaine Dancers 2nd Place: Baltimore Hawaii 5.3 3rd Place: NY Fight to Win BB Division Champions: NY Pisco Sour 2nd Place: Atlanta Mojo 3rd Place: USA We Like It

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TENNIS RESULTS PALM SPRINGS OPEN Open Singles: James E. Dao Open Doubles: James E. Dao/Nabil Najjar A Singles: Eric Geiger A Doubles: Gabriel Ibarra/Paul R. Shepherd B Singles: Hiro Hongo B Doubles: Matthew R. Schottland/Joshua Smith C Singles: Chuck Yeaman C Doubles: Britt Gladu/Robert Meza D Singles: Dan Gannon D Doubles: Howard S. Miller/Thomas Pelliccioni

CITRUS CLASSIC CLAY COURT CHAMPIONSHIPS – TAMPA, FLA. Open Singles: Mark Frisk Open Doubles: T.J. Jones/Clint C. Lyons A Singles: James N. Capazola A Doubles: Todd T. Brown/Vincent Marcelo Salazar B Singles: Israel Ivan Corona B Doubles: Israel Ivan Corona/Phil Sokolov C Singles: Dre J. Baez C Doubles: Will Keller/Rick Woods D Singles: Michael Caggiano D Doubles: James Bazata/Jon G. Cooley Mixed Open Doubles: Aly Petersen/Rolland Miller Mixed A Doubles: Diana Zarreke/Gregg Coldiron

OVERTIME

CALENDAR GAY SPORTS EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY

JANUARY 14th – 16th

ACT: Alamo City Tournament (Bowling) San Antonio www.actbowl.com

IGRA University (Rodeo) St. Louis www.igra.com

CHUZA: Chuzapalooza (Bowling) Tucson www.chuzapalooza.com

FLIRT: Fort Lauderdale Invitational Regional Tournament (Bowling) Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. www.flirtbowl.com

Orlando Meltdown (Softball) www.orlando-meltdown.com

14th – 17th Miami Art Deco Open (Tennis) www.miamimavericks.com

Mardi Gras Classic (Volleyball) New Orleans www.volleyballneworleans.com

Sin City Shootout (Softball) Las Vegas www.sincityshootout.com

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15th – 16th

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OVERTIME

SPORTLIGHT ON BARS THE HAPPENINGS AT THESE COMPETE PARTNERS

4 5

2 1

1 Sidelines

5 Nellie’s

2031 Wilton Drive Wilton Manors, Fla. 954-563-8001

900 U Street NW Washington, D.C. 202-332-6355

02/06 The Big Game with Deluxe Buffet, giveaways, raffles and prizes. Look for the drink special, specifically made for the occasion

Active Duty Thursdays; Beat the Clock Happy Hour Monday through Friday; Drag Brunch Sundays; 02/06 The Big Game

2 Roscoes on 7th 4531 North 7th Street Phoenix 954-563-8001 2-4-1 Thursdays; Go-Go Boys on Friday nights; 02/06 The Big Game

Where you can find sports-friendly gay bars in your community Cherry Bar Phoenix 602-277-7729 Pilsner Inn San Francisco 415-621-7058 Madison Pub Seattle 206-325-6537

3 GYM

Joq’s Portland 503-287-4210

8737 Santa Monica Blvd. West Hollywood 310-659-2004

Boxers NYC New York 212-206-7526

$4 Long Island Iced Teas 9 p.m.-Close Mondays; 2-4-1 Happy Hour 4-9 p.m. Monday through Friday; 02/06 The Big Game

4 GYM/Locker Room

Fritz Bar Boston 617-482-4428 PW’s Sports Bar & Grill Laurel, Mary. 301-498-4840 Woof’s Atlanta 404-869-9422 Sidelines Charlotte 704-525-2608 Crew Chicago 773-784-2739 The North End Chicago 773-477-7999 Downtown Olly’s Indianapolis 317-636-5597

167 8th Ave. New York City 212-337-2439

Tickles Minneapolis 612-354-3846

$3 Beer Blast Saturdays and Sundays 12-8 p.m.; 2-for-1 Happy Hour 4-8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 02/06 The Big Game

Score @ OCH Austin 512-320-8823

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Woof’s Madison, Wisc. 608-204-6222

| January 2011

Out A Bounds Kansas City 816-756-2577 George’s Your Country Sports Bar Houston 713-528-8102 Woody’s Dallas 214-520-6629

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OVERTIME

SPORTS YEARBOOK THIS MONTH IN HISTORY: JANUARY The Yankees have made news in the month of January – from the purchasing of Babe Ruth from the Red Sox to the introduction of George Steinbrenner as owner, this is a monumental month for the Bronx Bombers.

SAT

SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI 2 3 4 5 6 7

Michigan defeats Stanford, 49-0, in first Rose Bowl (1902)

A barrier collapse at a Glasgow, Scotland soccer stadium kills 66 (1971)

George Steinbrenner III buys the New York Yankees from CBS for $12 million (1973)

Tennessee beats Florida State, 23-16, at Tempe’s Sun Devil Stadium to win the first BCS Championship (1998)

Boston Red Sox sell Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees (1920)

Ice skater Nancy Kerrigan is attacked by Tonya Harding’s bodyguard (1994)

Baseball officially bans Pete Rose from being elected to Hall of Fame (1991)

Bart Starr leads the Green Bay Packers to victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, 35-10, in the first Super Bowl (1967)

Mike Tyson TKOs Larry Holmes in fourth round for heavyweight boxing title (1988)

The Detroit Pistons host the Boston Celtics in front of 61,938 – the largest NBA crowd ever (1988)

Quebec’s Joe Malone sets NHL record of 7 goals in a game (1920)

Murder trial against O.J. Simpson begins in Los Angeles (1995)

Jim Barnes wins inaugural PGA Championship at Siwanoy CC in Bronxville, NY (1916)

William O’Ree of the Boston Bruins is the first black player in the NHL (1958)

Notre Dame beats UCLA, ending the Bruins’ NCAA-record 88-game basketball win streak (1974)

The modern NFL Pro Bowl is played for the first time, with the NFL defeating the AFC, 27-6 (1970)

1st Winter Olympic Games open in Chamonix, France (1924)

Jim Thorpe relinquishes his 1912 Olympic medals after it is determined he is a professional (1913)

New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio marries actress Marilyn Monroe (1954)

Houston Astrodome opens (1965)

28 American Pro Football Association is renamed National Football League (1922)

31 Sportscaster Howard Cosell retires (1992)

Source: www.brainyhistory.com

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