http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2766213

We know we have gay soldiers in combat who are able to pass the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” test. They are also able to duck the Pentagon’s very aggressive attempts to root out gays in the military, often in violation of the spirit of “Don’t ask, Don’t Tell”

We also know we have gay male athletes in some very serious and physically demanding team sports. And of course, there are the dockworkers, policemen, construction workers, and so on and so on…

And don’t forget the gay rugby teams that are springing up all across the country.

So have we made so much of the “Sissy Boy Syndrome” merely because these gender-variant behavior boys were visible and couldn’t remain hidden no matter how hard they tried? It’s been my experience that those who want to remain closeted are much more successful at remaining closeted when their mannerisms, interests, talens and favorite leisure activities don’t draw suspicion.

And as long as so many men and women remain hidden from view simply because they can, it’s interesting to consider the possible ramifications this has for social science research that is dependent upon finding gay men and women who are willing to be found.

Many approaches in the conservative world stress masculinity and then provide some kind of stereotypical masculine intervention (JIM weekends, Gatorade, etc), but this does not often lead to radical change. Such interventions may be good for other reasons but they do not of necessity lead to the predicted change.

Bussee: “. . .Next you’ll be telling me that there are gay soldiers and truckdrivers and construction workers and policemen and dock workers and . . .”

I assume you’re excluding the Village People. 🙂

I think it’s great that pro athletes like Amaechi are coming out about their sexuality. I even wish more “ex-gays” would be more willing to come out publically (although Ted Haggard’s claim last week seems a little too soon to be believeable).

It seems silly that it’s such a big deal, but it makes it a little easier for the next gay/ex-gay/questioning athlete or public figure to know that it’s normal and not really noteworthy.

“or maybe we all agree that no one really knows for sure and that there may well be different paths for different people, some of whom are influenced by biology and some by (pre or postnatal) environment or by some combination thereof”

This, of course, could also be said (word for word) of heterosexuality, except that very few people ask (or even care) what “causes” straightness. That should tell us something. If people were truly intellectually curious (and not just looking to confirm their bias) they would ask BOTH questions.

TImothy is right. The only truthful answer to the question of “what causes sexual orientation” is “no one really knows”.

You’re both right. Peter, my longshoreman (dock worker) friend, is not out to his co-workers.

JAG assumes that Warren buys into the ridiculous notion that absent fathers cause homosexuality. Nonsense, nothing of the sort.

No. Warren buys into Bem’s ridiculous notion that sexualizing the exotic-ness of “real boys” causes homosexuality.

😉

(or maybe we all agree that no one really knows for sure and that there may well be different paths for different people, some of whom are influenced by biology and some by (pre or postnatal) environment or by some combination thereof)

I think it’s not only about stereotype, but environment. A gay fashion designer is accepted in his circle, can thrive and be successful despite others being aware of his orientation….it likely will not affect his career, etc. An athlete (much like a soldier) has quite a battle ahead – with his peers, the media, and his career in general (sponsorships, etc.).