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Callan Chythlook-Sifsof, a U.S. snowboarder who missed the cut for Team USA, has come out as gay during a recent interview. She told the ESPN news program "Outside the Lines" that she is gay; something she wanted to say during the Sochi Olympics:
"I realized coming out publicly isn't just about yourself but it's also about realizing the greater scope of what's going on and becoming a voice against something. It's important to come out and take a stand and show the world that it's not OK to be a bigot."
Welcome out, Callan, and while an Olympic medal might have been a great thing, your newly found sense of self cannot be beat, and can never be taken from you.
Please accept, as our gift from HOMO HQ, the Obligatory Coming Out Toaster Oven and a copy of The Gay Agenda.
It's nice out here, no?
Welcome out.
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And then .....
Ryan Dolan, an Irish contestant in last year's Eurovision Song Contest has come out as gay in an interview with Ireland’s Radio One:
“In school I was confused about who I was, and it was really hard for me growing up because of that. It was hard to deal with because I knew that I was gay, but I couldn't get the courage to talk to someone about it.”
Dolan also admits to contemplating suicide while struggling to come out:
“I never attempted suicide, but it was a thought in my mind.”
What worried him most, though, was the reaction his father might have to the news and he was more than surprised by the supportive response he received:
“My father was the last person to find out because I was afraid of what he would think. I think he actually took it the better than anyone I told. I couldn’t ask for better parents, they’ve been great to me my whole life. ... My whole life I built it up in my head. The more I thought about it the harder it got. Telling my father was the main thing because me and my father would be very close. ... It’s not a big deal anymore. Things have changed compared to even when I was in school. Young people are coming out now at 15 or 16 which would never have happened when I was at school. ... Thinking back now I wish I would have came out about it a long time ago. I think my youth was wasted worrying all the time about it. If I had been more open back then I would have been happier.”
Whenever you do it, however you do it, it makes an impact on those around you, and affects their thoughts on what it means to be gay,
Welcome out, Ryan, and please accept as our gift from HOMO HQ, the Obligatory Coming Out Toaster Oven and a copy of The Gay Agenda.
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:-)
ReplyDeleteYou know, we might want to consider replacing those toaster ovens with something a bit more contemporary.
ReplyDelete@Mitchell
ReplyDeleteA counter-top convection oven?
An espresso maker?
Suggestions?
But keep in mind that, here at HOMO HQ, we have cornered the market on Toaster Ovens and still have thousands upon thousands in the warehouse.
When I read the last part of the snowboarders name, Sifsof, I wondered if this was one of the Sifsof's that I know. Turns out it could be! Very excited to see a fellow Alaskan out and about and doing great things in the world!
ReplyDeleteOh, and as for the appliance for the newly out? Keep the toaster ovens, they are small and mega handy!
ReplyDeleteAn espresso maker!!! (But can we request who we want to make our espresso? I certainly wouldn't consider making it myself!) Maybe it's good you've got all those toaster ovens in stock, after all...
ReplyDeleteShe didn't actually "miss the cut." They gave her spot to a high-profile Half Pipe man, so he could enter two events. Each competition entry counts against the total number of available spots on the team, so the US took 23 athletes instead of the usual 24.
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally, that decision was made directly after the coming-out interview. There was real concern for all international teams, about taking openly gay athletes to Russia where it is illegal.