Herald sports writer comes out

They are friends with Buckley and were very supportive. There were some callers who questioned how Callahan (the anti-gay monster) could be so supportive since he was so "anti-gay". Callahan basically stated he jokes about gays all the time but was not "anti-gay".

I caught most of the 8:00 hour. They were totally supportive and seemed to be expecting a call from Buck, but I don't think that happened by the time they did their weekly Doc Rivers interview.

We now return you to your liberal fantasies, already in progress.

He went on about how he didn't think Buckley would encounter much prejudice, when all you have to do is read the comments under most Callahan Herald columns to realize the world is still full of homophobes. Of course, Gerry himself has long been a sneering gay-hater on the show, never misses a chance to work in some nasty slurs when Barney Frank is the topic. And that's in liberal Boston: they're less shameless about it in other parts of the country.

One item mentioned in the story is TRULY shocking: somebody actually EDITS the Chicopee Herald! How did that story about Howie's liposuction make the front page?

...for half an hour on their show today.

The simple answer is that casual homophobia is everywhere in American society, and it's particularly rife in the world of sports. Maybe it's due to homoerotic anxiety caused by all that time spent in locker rooms, showers, and the close contact of physical sports, but fag jokes and general gay-bashing are a staple of the environment, a constant background hum. If you've played sports at any level beyond grade school, I think you're likely to look at Buckley's story and think, "Yeah, that took some courage. He's going to take some grief for that forever, to his face or behind his back."

I was going to ask Courageous Anon up there why he's hiding his own sexuality -- is it shame, perhaps a reluctance to invoke the judgment of other anonymous commenters?

What's that? You're open about digging the opposite sex? Fine, to each his own, but just keep quiet about it and stop waving it in everyone's face.

And if you can get beyond your squeamishness for two minutes, try reading the column, which directly addresses your question.

In my experience and observation, coming out can be a lengthy and challenging process. If you made it to full self-acceptance and social integration without a struggle, good for you. Most of us aren't so lucky. Buckley did what he needed to do in his world. That's the way it goes.