Ethan Says

Chris Kluwe Means War - Out Nov 2012

In an exclusive cover story for OUT, the NFL athlete describes how he became the unlikely face of Marriage Equality.

October 2, 2012 (NEW YORK) — On September 7, the Internet began buzzing with the name Chris Kluwe. That’s when the Minnesota Vikings punter’s letter to Maryland state delegate Emmett C. Burns Jr. was published on line and quickly went viral. A week earlier Burns had told the Baltimore Ravens to “order” linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo to cease advocating for marriage equality in Maryland. With that letter, Kluwe became the latest of 28 current NFL players who have expressed support for gay rights. For OUT’s November cover story, Kluwe talked with OUT contributor Cyd Zeigler about stereotypes, and his video game obsession, and how he came to fight for equality.

“I’ve always relished breaking that stereotype of the dumb jock athlete because while I enjoyed athletics growing up, I also enjoyed reading and video games, and athletic sport is not what defines me as a person,” Kluwe tells OUT. “I think as more and more generations start rising through the NFL, a lot of these kids see that it’s OK to be something other than an athlete.”

For Kluwe, taking a stand on gay rights is as instinctual as planting his foot into the ball. “It’s all about the Golden Rule,” he says. “Treat other people as you want to be treated. It’s that simple. It’s something that needs to be spoken about, and it’s something I can do while fulfilling my job as a football player.”

Read the full OUT November 2012 cover story now at OUT.com.

Hudson Taylor for Buick's Human Highlight Reel

Straight ally Hudson Taylor, 3-time All-American wrestler at the University of Maryland, and current assistant wrestling coach at Columbia U, believes that sports should be for everyone. As such, he created Athlete Ally — a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging athletes, coaches, parents, fans and other members of the sports community to take proactive steps to end homophobia and transphobia in sports.

Hudson was featured in the latest Buick Human Highlight Reel - series featuring former NCAA student athletes who are doers, leaders, and game-changers in their communities.

Click these links for more info: Buick Human Highlight Reel | Athlete Ally

Michael Irvin & Ben Cohen Cover OUT

Michael Irvin, Ben Cohen, Hudson Taylor, Mike Chabala, and Nick Youngquest star in OUT magazine's salute to the small band of straight sports stars who have stood up for fairness and tolerance, shoulder to shoulder with their LGBT peers.

In the magazine's dual cover August issue, NFL Hall of Famer Michael Irvin talks to OUT writer Cyd Zeigler about the day he saw his gay brother walking down the street in a dress, addresses the rumors around Troy Aikman’s sexuality, and explains why every African-American should support gay marriage.

Also in OUT’s Sports Issue, British rugby player Ben Cohen talks about his mission to tackle bullying and homophobia in sports, inspired in part by the death of his father, killed after he intervened in a bar fight. Plus Major League Soccer’s Mike Chabala explains why he posed for the powerful NOH8 campaign.

Click here to read the full feature story, and here for the full sports ally slide show.

The magazine, on sale July 19, 2011, also ranks the Biggest Dickheads in Sport, supported by an online poll launching Thursday in which readers are invited to vote.

First Annual U.S. Gay Polo Tournament (Feb 20, 2011)

Next Sunday is the First Annual U.S. Gay Polo Tournament at the historic Eldorado Polo Club in Indio! Four teams will be competing for the Wellington Cup, which is named for last year's successful gay polo tournament in Wellington, Florida.

First Annual U.S. Gay Polo Tournament Eldorado Polo Club 50950 Madison St. Indio, CA 92201

Games are at noon and the final at 2pm. Admission is $20 cash at gate. VIP brunch is only $35 ($60 value) Reservations required: 760-342-2223

The event is organized by the Gay Polo League based in Los Angeles, CA. The Gay Polo League’s mission is “to provide the GLBT community with the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to participate in a unique sporting activity, promote participation in amateur competitions, as well as foster, develop, support and recognize sportsmanship, fellowship and goodwill among the members." For more info about the Gay Polo League, visit GAYPOLO.COM.

Photograph: Rick Day | Model: James Tuttle

SHU Rugby 2011 Nude Calendar

SHU Rugby Boys Get Their Kit Off For Their Annual Cheeky Nude Calendar!

The SHU Rugby Club players are at it again, displaying their usual bare-faced cheek for their eagerly anticipated 2011 nude fund-raising calendar. Over the last few years, the calendars - and accompanying ‘Making of…’ DVDs - have become cult collectors' items with sales the world over. This year's calendar features the guys baring all in the rugby club showers, the changing rooms and on the pitch, and includes a couple of very special guests, ex-SHU Rugby player Lee Blackett and his Leeds team mate Jonathan Pendlebury. WATCH THE TRAILER below (two photos next page).

The calendar costs just £5.00, the DVD only £7.00. Both are available online from: SHURugby.com or by emailing organizer Paul Manning at shurugby@hotmail.co.uk. All proceeds from the sale go to help fund the club's development fund.

2011 SHU Rugby Nude Calendar (First Preview)

It's that time of year again...and work is under way on the SHU Rugby 2011 Nude Calendar and "Making of" DVD. As a preview, here are a couple of photos/stills from the DVD - taken at the first photo session which took place at this year's Varsity. Both the calendar & DVD will be released in October, so keep watch for more info (and previews)! More info at SHU Rugby.

Dolce&Gabbana Visits with Milano Beach Soccer

Dolce&Gabbana Visits with Milano Beach Soccer team and asks the questions we all wants answers to...like how do they gain control of their balls while playing barefoot!?

Johnny Weir Comes Out...Against Anti-Fur Activists

Unapologetic and forever coy about his sexuality, ice skater Johnny Weir recently spoke with The Advocate about threats from animal activists, the possibility of scrapping his Fallen Angel costume altogether, and his desire to skate a transcendental performance without someone throwing blood on the ice. Sample quotes below:

About the threats:
"Things like ‘We hope you die, we’re going to piss on your grave, we’d like you to be killed the same way as the fox for your costume.’ Lots of things about my death. So I wanted to release an open statement. I didn’t want everyone in the world thinking I went hunting daily for foxes. I’ll change the costume, but it doesn’t change my opinion about wearing fur."

About his sexuality:
"The gay-or-not-gay question has died down — people got over it. I still feel the same way about it. It doesn’t matter to me if someone is gay, and it doesn’t matter to me as a person what sexuality I put out there. I don’t want them to look of me as white or gay or Whoopi Goldberg or whatever. I want them to see Johnny Weir. Anyway, all the gossip has been all about the fur issue at this point."

Find the whole Johnny Weir interview at The Advocate.com.

Cristiano Ronaldo Goes for 21 Minutes

A shirtless Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the field yesterday after being away for nearly two months because of an ankle injury. The Real Madrid Champion Leaguer played for roughly 21 minutes against FC Zurich and says he's feeling good.

“I’m tired because I’m still not at 100%, but I’m sure I will return to be how I was before the injury, scoring goals, having good games and helping the team,” Cristiano told Spanish television channel Telemadrid. “I had a very good reception and now I want to show them the best of me,” he said. [via]

SHU Rugby 2010 Nude Calendar

It’s that time again folks! The 2010 SHU Rugby Nude Calendar is about to hit shelves, and this time around the lads are posing naked in a variety of locations – including the changing rooms, the showers and the pub! Even more, the ‘Making of…’ DVD follows the players through each of the photo shoots and includes a photo gallery. MORE OUTTAKES on the next page!

The calendar is priced at 5 pounds (roughly $8 US) and the DVD at 7 pounds (around $11 US). Both will be available at the club’s website (www.shurugby.com) from the end of October. You can also purchase back issues of previous years’ calendars and DVDs.

SHU Rugby is committed to promoting interest, and widening participation, in rugby and sport in general for young people in Sheffield. SHU Rugby runs four teams and welcomes players of all ages and abilities, and encourages involvement through volunteering and a supporters' network.