Amazing Giraffes

My friend Kahvy Smith just shared this amazing video by Nicholas Deveaux on Facebook.

I totally adore this beautiful video and had to share it with ya'll! This is the kind of crazy imagination I love.

Bock, The Sports Guru

Just teasing my American friends on Facebook, I know shit about football or American Football.

Say Thank You to Chris Kluwe

Our straight ally Chris Kluwe has yet again taken a stand against homophobia in sports, say thank you to him by signing this at Athlete Ally. Go here to sign (url)!
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"Whether as a staunch proponent of marriage equality, a vocal Ambassador for Athlete Ally, or a whistleblower at the workplace, Chris Kluwe's advocacy is rooted in his belief that we should always treat people the way we want to be treated. We are so grateful to Chris for doing everything he can to advance social change and for articulating his vision of fair play.

Dear Chris,

Thank you for standing by your principles and standing with the LGBT community, even under pressure. Every day you live up to the words of your recent Deadspin article "Never be afraid to do what's right. If no one ever says anything, nothing ever changes." Because of you, we are on the fast track to making sports a better, more inclusive place. We're grateful to have you on our side.

-The Athlete Ally Team and your supporters everywhere"

"Der Hammer" Comes Out

International professional football (soccer) player Thomas Hitzlsperger, 31, has come out publicly as gay in an interview with the German newspaper Die Zeit.

“I am declaring my homosexuality because I want the question of homosexuality in the world of professional sport to be out in the open.”, the German midfielder declared in the interview while also admitting that the decision to come out publicly had been “a long and difficult process”.

Hitzlsperger, has played 52 times on the German national team and has worked in Germany, England and Italy with Aston Villa, Everton, Wolfsburg and Lazio among others before retiring from football six months ago. He gained the nickname Der Hammer (The Hammer) due to his powerful left-foot shot from long-range.

Hitzlsperger said he had decided to come out because he wanted to promote the discussion of homosexuality in professional sport. “I've never been ashamed of the way I am,” he added, although it had not always been easy to cope with some of the homophobic comments dished out.

Out & Proud in Sports

Team sports is one of the the last remaining bastions of homophobia, but the walls of silence and oppression surrounding major league sports are finally starting to crumble.

First out and a true American hero is basketball player Jason Collins, still actively playing in the NBA.

I found this via Joe.My.God. and the excerpts below is from his blog. Read the full article in Sports Illustrated:

"I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay".

"I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand."

"My journey of self-discovery and self-acknowledgement began in my hometown of Los Angeles and has taken me through two state high school championships, the NCAA Final Four and the Elite Eight, and nine playoffs in 12 NBA seasons."

"I've played for six pro teams and have appeared in two NBA Finals. Ever heard of a parlor game called Three Degrees of Jason Collins? If you're in the league, and I haven't been your teammate, I surely have been one of your teammates' teammates. Or one of your teammates' teammates' teammates."

"Now I'm a free agent, literally and figuratively. I've reached that enviable state in life in which I can do pretty much what I want. And what I want is to continue to play basketball. I still love the game, and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that. At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful."

A few tweets (Do I need to get a Twitter account I, wonder? Nah, I would never be able to handle the word count limitations.)

You Can Play

(via J.M.G.)

"Locker rooms should be safe and sports venues should be free from homophobia. Athletes should be judged on talent, heart and work ethic, not sexual orientation." (The goal of You Can Play)
Brian Burke and Patrick Burke, honor the memory of their son and brother Brendan Burke by continuing his work against homophobia in sports. The website got operational today You Can Play - Gay athletes.Straight allies. Teaming up for respect.

"It's time to change the way the world thinks about athletes - both straight and gay. Talent, work ethic, and character are all that matters when evaluating a player. It's time for straight allies to show their character by enabling LGBT athletes to show their talents without fear. If you can play, You Can Play." 

Patrick Burke (co-founder)

In this video: Patrick Burke (Philadelphia), Brian Burke (Toronto), Rick Nash (Columbus), Duncan Keith (Chicago), Brian Boyle (New York), Matt Moulson (New York Islanders), Joffrey Lupul (Toronto), Claude Giroux (Philadelphia), Daniel Alfredsson (Ottawa), Scott Hartnell (Philadelphia), Corey Perry (Anaheim), Andy Greene (New Jersey), Dion Phaneuf (Toronto), Henrik Lundqvist (New York).