NFL tackles anti-gay slurs
The National Football League isn’t exactly a safe-haven for LGBTs. But the league made headlines at least twice in 2009 for its fight against anti-gay slurs muttered by its players. In January, the NFL fined Dallas Cowboys tight-end Martellus Bennett $22,000 after he posted an anti-gay, cuss-filled rap on YouTube. The “lyrics” to the rap were never officially released, but Bennett eventually created an “apologetic” video claiming NFL officials made too much of his original post.
Later in the year, the NFL suspended and the Kansas City Chiefs eventually terminated running back Larry Johnson. Johnson, who has since been hired by the Cincinnati Bengals, came under fire when he told two reporters to “get your faggot-asses out of here” when they attempted to interview him in the locker room following the Chiefs’ loss to the Chargers in October. He later called a fan a “fag” during an online discussion on his Twitter account. Johnson apologized for the confrontations but the Chiefs released him anyway.
OutGames continue despite anti-gay attacks
The 2009 OutGames were targeted twice by anti-gay residents in Copenhagen, Denmark this year. Fortunately, only minor injuries were reported when a bomb was tossed on the track before the 4×200 relay. One runner was treated for shrapnel in his hand and the race was delayed until an arrest was made. A second attack occurred off the fields when two local men assaulted three gay men in central Copenhagen after calling them “homo pigs.” Both men were jailed for the duration of the OutGames. The attacks seemed ironic to many, considering Denmark was the first nation to legalize same-sex marriage.
Trans writer found dead
After a very public transition lasting nearly a year, Los Angeles Times Mike Penner transitioned from male to female—and back again—before killing himself in late November. Penner began living as Christine Daniels in 2007 and continued to write sports for the major newspaper. He addressed his transition in a column within the paper and even used his new pseudonym in his professional life.
Documentary focuses on anti-lesbian coach
In 2009, Training Days, a documentary describing nearly three decades of anti-lesbian practices by Penn State women’s basketball coach Rene Portland toured the country in film festivals. The documentary explored the former coach’s “no lesbian” policies and highlighted the stories of former players, who celebrated the winning lawsuit of Jennifer Harris, who was booted off the team in 2005.
Gay porn wrestlers featured on ESPN
Former Nebraska wrestlers Paul Donahoe and Kenny Jordan stayed in the public spotlight in 2009 long after they appeared on a gay porn site in 2008. The two men, who were eventually ousted from the team, were featured on ESPN’s Outside The Lines documentary series in June. Both men posed alone on the Fratmen.tv Web site and both say they are straight.
