It Gets Better....with the Boston Red Sox

OK, I didn't think it was possible to like Kevin Youuuuukilis any more....and then he took part in making the It Get's Better video from the Red Sox, and admitted that he went into therapy.

There is an blurb in the Globe about who's in the video. Props to the SF Giants and Cubs for making videos supporting GLBT youth and speaking out against bullying.

Kids who identify as Gay Lesbian Bisexual or Transgendered are four times more likely to try to kill themselves. Sports are one area that is particularly rife with homophobia, as seen in multiple players in the NBA using anti-gay slurs to insult refs and fans, and a sports management team tweeting against marriage equality in response to Sean Avery's support for New York's marriage equaility bill (which left a lot of hockey fans in the unusual position of agreeing with Sean Avery about something). There has never been an active athlete in a major sport who has come out while playing. John Amaechi came out after he retired, and Brian Burke's son Brendon came out while involved with Miami University's hockey team (and tragically died in a car accident), but that's as close as it has gotten.

I'm curious which of the four major mens sports will have an active athlete come out. Interestingly women athletes have had an easier time coming out, with Martina Navratalova and Sheryl Swoopes both being out while playing.

At any rate, it's nice to see some athletes take a stand and try to reach out to vulnerable kids.