WBNA Player Swoopes "Comes Out"

pics from http://www.afterellen.com/

Sheryl Swoopes's "coming out" is important as the sports world and the women's sports world is very lesbophobic which is obvious as so many players "are in the closet" about who they are and forced by the commercial interests who think the public will not attend these events as faithfully or at all if it is known some of the players are Lesbians. Let us hope this will begin to change for women's basketball and other sports all thanks to Sheryl Swoopes's bravery. Kudos to her. From reading the various accounts, Ms. Swoopes has had a difficult time psychologically playing the game of pretending to be straight. Now she can relax and hopefully get on with her life and her great career.

Sharon Raphael

Big News for LGBT Community and Sports World:Sheryl Swoopes Comes Out

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005


SHERYL SWOOPES OPENS DOORS WITH HONESTY AND COURAGE


   ‘Sheryl Swoopes is a real hero on and off the court,’ said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese.


WASHINGTON — Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese made the following statement as three-time WNBA MVP player and Olympic gold medalist Sheryl Swoopes came out today in an interview with ESPN’sThe Magazine.


“Sheryl Swoopes is a real hero on and off the court. Being open and honest about your life is an act of bravery. This MVP player and Olympic gold medalist is helping to start real conversations about openness, honesty and authenticity. We commend her for this brave step that will mean so much to her gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight supportive fans and peers.”


In an interview with The Magazine, Swoopes said, “Some people might say my coming out after just winning the MVP award is heroic, and I understand that. And I know there are going to be some negative things said, too. But it doesn't change who I am. I can't help who I fall in love with. No one can.”


Read the Human Rights Campaign’s Resource Guide to Coming Out for African-Americans.


View the Human Rights Campaign's guide to conversations about GLBT issues.

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On the Bus

Rosa Parks: A Tribute

She died peacefully at 92. She died last night Oct. 24th 2005.

Rosa Parks walked in no one else's shoes.

She was her own woman. A role model for the world.

She refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white man.

She refused to bow to indignity. And never pretended to not understand.

I heard Rosa Parks say there were others also who were angry about the injustice

And others who acted against the system like she did but it was Rosa Parks

Actions on that day December 1, 1955 which set the spark that would bring

Martin Luther King to Montgomery to begin the Montgomery Bus Boycott and to lead

What has come to be known as the modern civil rights movement in the U.S.A.

I have a famous drawing of Rosa Parks sitting on the bus that fateful day that hangs in my office.

I want my students to know that Rosa Parks inspired me a long time ago. I am a white woman.

I want my students to know who my role model is, to know Rosa Parks is my inspiration.

She is the one that has kept me going, kept me staying out of the closet, being myself

All these years. I have looked at her picture and remember why I can be who I am.

Sharon Raphael

From The Left Coaster Blog

Monday :: Oct 27, 2003

http://www.theleftcoaster.com/

Happy Halloween, Dumbya!


Joyous Samhain!


In honor of the event, the spirits have decided to have a say in the way the realm of the living is being run:

Gertrude M. Jones

Word has been received that Gertrude M. Jones, 81, passed away on August 25, 2003, under the loving care of the nursing aides of Heritage Manor of Mandeville, Louisiana. She was a native of Lebanon, KY. She was a retired Vice President of Georgia International Life Insurance Company of Atlanta, GA. Her husband, Warren K. Jones predeceased her. Two daughters survive her: Dawn Hunt and her live-in boyfriend, Roland, of Mandeville, LA; and Melba Kovalak and her husband, Drew Kovalak, of Woodbury, MN. Three sisters, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren, also survive her. Funeral services were held in Louisville, KY. Memorial gifts may be made to any organization that seeks the removal of President George Bush from office.


Published in The Times-Picayune on 10/2/2003.

Happy Halloween