g*y Olympian wins gold for Australia! How out and proud are you?

Question

Men's 10m platform dive - Matthew Mitcham.

We are family!

http://www.smh.com.au/news/beijing2008/out-proud-and-ready-to-go-for-gold/2008/05/23/1211183107597.html

Answer 1

Go Matthew!!!!!!

I'm proud to be an Aussie and he is a champion. His sexuality isn't what defines him as an athlete and isn't what won him Gold. It was pure skill that did that.

His family should be proud, he did Australia a great service!

Answer 2

Wish I was more out, but very proud!

Answer 3

**Sings** We are family! I've got all my sisters with me!!

Hip Hip horray for Matthew!!  Awesome job!

Answer 4

As an Australian, I should be proud.

As a member of this community, I should be proud.

Am I actually proud of his win? Nope.

It was great that he won, don't get me wrong. But how many other successful GLBT Olympians are going under the radar? Why just praise him and not them?

Good on him for winning, GLBT or not.

No need to revise my answer. Yes, I was aware of that. His gold medal should be just as sweet as every other person who has won it, not more so and not less. Otherwise it is quite funny that we, as a community, scream for equality but treat athletes with a different amount of respect based on their sexuality. That sounds somewhat hypocritical.

Answer 5

Hey I watched that lastnight.  That is pretty killer amazing though. Truthfully I wish they all were g*y. ;) Then that would be hotter than a taco in the microwave.<<<<Bad analogy i know but i couldn't think of anything else.

Edit:

I'm sorry I jsut realized I didn't thoroughly answer your question.  I'm bi, i don't really flaunt it off, because I think most people kind of assume it and already know from my stubbornly strong opinions i give and my whole personality tone.  I get asked all the time if i'm g*y  or straight and i always say neither but why does it really matter? that is how i usually flow with that sort of stuff.

Answer 6

I knew that he was g*y. It's skills not gayness.

GB

Answer 7

g*y, straight, bi, who cares??  I just watched him dive and win and I think he was fantastic!!!  Who cares about sexual orientation?!?  Matthew was amazing!!  Congratulations!!

Answer 8

Haha, he was sponsored by Allan Jones... Co-incidence? I think not.

Answer 9

That dude's hot and his story is very inspirational and moving.  Yes I think it means more than the other athletes because its significant to us.  It means we are just as good as all the other athletes from all other walks of life that deserve support not only from a small network or a sector of a larger one, but the same as everyone else.

Family, friends, and for an Olympian his entire country.  Not just the part that dives as some would put it, but for all of him including his sexuality.

Answer 10

I'm proud, very much so. Yes, his being g*y has NOTHING to do with his skill in diving, but it will send a message to the homophobes, especially those that think the "g*y men can't throw ball" - in other words, think that g*y men can't "do sports".

We need to find our validation and affirmation, wherever we can find it. Kudos to Matthew, and his partner, Lachlan!