Jason Collins, Masculinity, and Sports

I always liked playing softball. I played every summer recreationally from when I was a kid living in Arizona through high school. When I played in my high school summers, it was probably the only place where it was normal not to wear makeup or jewelry. Makeup will just sweat off and jewelry (like earrings) could be caught or ripped off. Playing softball was probably the only time that I fit in because I don't wear makeup or jewelry.

I lead off with softball because we talked in class about gender in sports. Specifically the masculinity that partaking in sport imbues on its players. Sports is one of the few areas that I can think of where men can interact closely without the "gay" label placed upon them because of the perceived inherent masculinity of sports. This masculinity applies to not only men but women as well. And that's the reason why it isn't a big deal when women come out in sports.

When women come out in sports, it isn't unexpected. On the other hand, Jason Collins's coming out story will probably be the biggest sports news of the year. Of course, a part of this is due to the importance that the United States places on the Big 4 male sports (baseball, football, hockey, and basketball) because many others in different sports have come out over the years (here is even a top 10 list of those who came out last year) some during their tenures as professional athletes and a lot from after their retirements. But also, because being gay somehow clashes with the ideal of masculinity that is inherent in sports. This article gives a good breakdown of these ideals. This isn't to demean Collins's coming out or make it any less of a big deal, because it is a big deal. And I think that whenever a famous person comes out it will continue to be a big deal for a long time.

The inherent idea that to play sports you have to be hegemonically masculine is problematic. It prevents both men and women in sports from coming out. For men they are going to have to fight harder and play more aggressively to be seen as equally as masculine and capable as their heterosexual teammates and for women they have to fight to maintain an image of femininity.