Openly gay LA Galaxy soccer star Robbie Rogers blasted the FIFA for on Thursday for their decision to hold the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in the rabidly anti-gay countries of Russia and Qatar, while HRC and GLAAD have remained silent on the issue.
“I would never pressure anyone into speaking about the issue but it is absolutely insane,” he said. “If you look at the next few World Cups, they are in places where, if I were to go, I could possibly be imprisoned or beat up or stoned to death. It is pretty ridiculous.”
Roberts told NBC Sports that he was concerned about the safety of gay fans traveling to Russia and Qatar to watch the games, due to Russia’s bill banning “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations to minors,” and Qatar’s ban on gay sex.
“There is going to be number of gay fans that will go to watch the sport. Of course there is going to be another gay footballer there. So I think it is an issue that needs to be spoken about and discussed with FIFA because every player should feel safe when they go to a World Cup,” said Rogers.
Obviously organizations like FIFA & IOC care more about money than basic human rights. But what’s the Human Rights Campaigns and GLAAD’S excuse in not getting involved?
Adorable out L.A. Galaxy soccer player Robbie Rogers stopped by Chelsea Lately on Thursday and talked about his coming out, the Sochi Winter Olympics and what its like showering with a soccer team.
“The guys are nothing but supportive.” Robbie said. “They make jokes when we’re in the shower, if the lights are off they’ll be like, ‘I wonder why the lights are off, you know, Robbie’s coming in the shower.'”
While Robbie is incredibly brave in his coming out (and totally cute) I disagree with him completely about boycotting the Olympics. He’s an athlete and they love the sports limelight. To me its though I find the “they trained so hard” argument incredibly selfish. That a few hundred athletes chance at competing for an Olympic medal trumps the human rights, lives and safety of gay men and women in Russia is mind boggling and extremely sad.
I have always believed that the more that we share our experiences of coming out, not only does it help us process and accept who we really are but also also helps others how their is light at the end of the tunnel. In comes the story of the US Soccer player Robbie Rogers. A man who was conflicted with the expectations of what he thought his family/loved ones wanted from who the man he has always been. Several days ago Rogers posted his latest blogpost about his sexuality and how he plans to live the life he was always meant to:
The Next Chapter…
Things are never what they seem… My whole life I have felt different, different from my peers, even different from my family. In today’s society being different makes you brave. To overcome your fears you must be strong and have faith in your purpose.
For the past 25 year I have been afraid, afraid to show whom I really was because of fear. Fear that judgment and rejection would hold me back from my dreams and aspirations. Fear that my loved ones would be farthest from me if they knew my secret. Fear that my secret would get in the way of my dreams.
Dreams of going to a World Cup, dreams of The Olympics, dreams of making my family proud. What would life be without these dreams? Could I live a life without them?
Life is only complete when your loved ones know you. When they know your true feelings, when they know who and how you love. Life is simple when your secret is gone. Gone is the pain that lurks in the stomach at work, the pain from avoiding questions, and at last the pain from hiding such a deep secret.
Secrets can cause so much internal damage. People love to preach about honesty, how honesty is so plain and simple. Try explaining to your loved ones after 25 years you are gay. Try convincing yourself that your creator has the most wonderful purpose for you even though you were taught differently.
I always thought I could hide this secret. Football was my escape, my purpose, my identity. Football hid my secret, gave me more joy than I could have ever imagined… I will always be thankful for my career. I will remember Beijing, The MLS Cup, and most of all my teammates. I will never forget the friends I have made a long the way and the friends that supported me once they knew my secret.
Now is my time to step away. It’s time to discover myself away from football. It’s 1 A.M. in London as I write this and I could not be happier with my decision. Life is so full of amazing things. I realized I could only truly enjoy my life once I was honest. Honesty is a bitch but makes life so simple and clear. My secret is gone, I am a free man, I can move on and live my life as my creator intended.
We wish Rogers the best of luck. Many of his fellow players in soccer have shown an outpouring of unwavering support and praise for Rogers coming out. We can only hope that this gives the courage for others someday to do the same.
And while we’re on the subject, can we talk about how piercing his eyes are?! They’re amazing.
