"I can't help who I fall in love with. No one can.…I didn't always know I was gay. I honestly didn't. Do I think I was born this way? No. And that's probably confusing to some, because I know a lot of people believe that you are…Discovering I'm gay just sort of happened much later in life…I'm content with who I am and who I'm with. Whether people think that's right, whether they think it's wrong, I don't care."

- WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes on coming out now, in an interview with ESPN Magazine

Behold the past crashing into the future — the public outing of an unpopular and very underground school of thought: Homosexuals can choose to be gay.

When coming out in the pages of ESPN Magazine, Houston Comets forward Sheryl Swoopes exhibited a bravado that too many queers in the WNBA and, more importantly, sports in general lack. And for that she deserves respect. The 34-year old WNBA star came clean about her sexuality, her partner Alisa Scott, her family, her financial problems and the demise of her marriage to her high school love, Eric Jackson. Her honesty has secured her a spot in history books. She will be forever known as the first African-American professional athlete to come out while at the top of her game.

But before the gay and lesbian community files Swoopes’ narrative under Great Coming Out Stories in History, we should look closely at what’s happening beneath the story. When coming out, Swoopes rang a bell that we shouldn’t ignore or try to unring. Her admission that she does not believe she was born gay is not only provocative, but also transforming, and warrants continued discussion.

But first, let’s give credit where credit is due by holding sports up to a big gay mirror that isn’t so flattering.

Even if you don’t give a rat’s ass about basketball, you’ve got to give Sheryl Swoopes props. By admitting that she’s a lesbian, she risks the ire of Christians, a group which she considers herself a member; and by disclosing the roots of her relationship with Alisa Scott, her former coach, she’s risks putting herself and Scott in the center of an investigation into the ethics of the couple’s relationship. But, even more important to an athlete of Swoopes’ caliber, she’s put her hero status on the line for truth. 

Well, sort of.

If there ever was a female athlete who set herself up for professional failure by coming out, it’s Swoopes. But even Sheryl Swoopes, three-time Olympic gold medalist, three-time league MVP, and five-time all-star, can’t cause more than a ripple with her announcement. Where are all the lesbian bashers? The right-wing and family value crazies? To what do we owe this graciousness afforded Swoopes?

If the silence could talk, it just might say, “Big deal. One more lesbian in a stadium full of ‘em. Who cares?”

A lesbian — a woman who is considered sinful and morally substandard in the eyes of many in the country, including our current administration — has been given a pass once again in a male dominated arena. But this time it’s not because of the lesbian’s all-important role in straight male fantasy; this time the arena isn’t a bedroom, a reality TV show, or even a mall. This lesbian’s Get Out of Jail Free card was handed to her because of another role she plays — a role she and many lesbians play extremely well — female athlete.

I can’t keep up with the hypocrisy. At this point, the country really needs to get its moral/sexual/social shit together. Do Americans hate lesbians or love lesbians?

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