Sunday, April 28, 2013

Out Spotlight

Today's Out Spotlight is an openly gay American Football player who almost became the first openly gay player in the NFL. Today's Out Spotlight is Alan Gendreau.

Alan Scott Gendreau was born May 27, 1989 grew up in Apopka, Florida in a deeply religious home. A devout Christian, Gendreau has been openly gay since high school when he came out to his parents at the age of 16. Afterwards, they placed him in church-based counseling that spanned four sessions.

He attended Orangewood Christian High School in Maitland, Florida, where he was a placekicker and a first-team all-state selection as a junior and senior. After making 14-of-16 field goals and 27-of-30 extra points in his senior year, he was selected to play in the Central Florida All-Star game. He ended his career as the school's all-time leading scorer. He also played soccer at Orangewood, twice earning Orlando Sentinel Player of the Year for soccer and setting the all area scoring record with 172 career goals.

Gendreau attended Middle Tennessee State University. He made the difficult decision to play football over soccer, and played for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders for four years. This team represents the Middle Tennessee State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and competed as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. While his teammates, coaches, classmates, and friends knew of his sexual orientation, they made no mention of it to the media. Otherwise, he could have been the first publicly out gay player in Division I college football.

He began his career being named to the Sun Belt All-Freshman team, and was later named twice to the All-Sun Belt first team. He also made the second longest field goal in Sunbelt Conference history and set multiple school placekicking records. Gendreau ended his college career as the leading scorer in Sun Belt Conference history and despite his strong second half of his Senior season, interest from the NFL waned. He finished his college career with 295 points, the most in Sun Belt Conference history.

Scouting reports leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft rated Gendreau as an average kicker. With only 62 field goal attempts in college—just over one per game—he did not receive attention from many NFL teams. He also did not have an agent and he did not know how to obtain one. He went undrafted. Gendreau stayed in shape through this year, hoping to become the first openly gay NFL football player. Last week Outsports, released his story about being a gay football player. "I'm a kicker that happens to be gay. It's a part of who I am, and not everything I am. I just want to be known as a normal kicker."

Chris Kluwe, a punter for the Minnesota Vikings said "It's totally legit that he can get into the [NFL]," Kluwe believed that place-kicking, which is limited to one specific skill set, allowed proficient kickers to be successful even if they had taken a break from the game for years.

Unfortunately he was not selected to be part of this year's NFL draft. Gendreau tweeted to respond the news as well as give some idea of his future plans.

"Just an FYI. I am NOT a part of the NFL draft. I am training right now with hopes of landing a tryout at a training camp in a couple months!"

In another sad twist the Minnesota Vikings selected UCLA punter Jeff Locke in the draft and Chris Kluwe claims the pick, which might put him out of a job, was made due to his vocal support of the LGBT community.

Kluwe told NBC's Pro Football Talks blog: “It’s a shame that in a league with players given multiple second chances after arrests, including felony arrests, that speaking out on human rights has a chance of getting you cut.”


40 comments:

  1. Pretty sad stuff. things will only change when established players finally come out.

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  2. I am not sure where Jake is on any particularreeek day unless he is at a scheduled event. Jake could be placed anywhere at anytime if PR wants to.Like was shown you cant grow as much beard in one day as Jake miraculously did last week.

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  3. Jake Gyllenhaal's presence at SoulCycle prompts sold-out classes

    NY Daily News

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  4. Jake could be placed anywhere at anytime if PR wants to.Like was shown you cant grow as much beard in one day as Jake miraculously did last week.

    Jake is wearing the exact same T-shirt with the exact same Khaki pants and the exact same sneakers with the laces tied in the exact same manner.

    Out on the street: Look at the laces on the left sneaker

    And now at the game: Look at the laces on the left sneaker

    (In other pictures you can see he is also wearing the same jacket)

    Magnify both pictures and you'll see the knot and bow in both pictures are exactly the same, with the aglet in the same position relative to the bow, pointing up at the same angle. So we're left with two alternatives;

    1) Jake's beard looks denser in the Celtics pictures because of the richer color setting and the hours of extra growth

    OR

    2)Jake was walking around New York on some unknown date with a beard wearing the exact same T-shirt, pants and sneakers as he wears in the Celtics game pictures, had his picture taken, then days/weeks/months later went somewhere else during the early part of April 23, then came back to New York, changed into the same outfit he was wearing in the pictures taken from that unknown date, looked at magnified pictures of his sneakers from the unknown date and proceeded to tie his laces so that the knot was in the same place, the bow was the exact same size etc but didn't trim his beard, and then went to the Celtics game. And he went through all of this to provide fake photographic evidence that he was in a city that the Celtics pictures would later show that he was in, on a day that the Celtic pictures would later show that he was there on.

    ...I mean, if you're going to go with option 2) then why allow yourself to be bound by Earth logic at all? In future why not just say that Jake can teleport, or that he has a Life-Model Decoy? Or, hey, Austin and their 5/6 kids were sat right next to Jake at the game, and those are just holographic images of Marcus and Spike Lee and Ben Stiller projected over their bodies? Push the envelope, get creative!

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  5. ^^

    well said... loved it...

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  6. Well Done Jason Collins.

    NBA Veteran Jason Collins comes out.

    "I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay," said Collins. "I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, 'I'm different.' If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand."

    Sports Illustrated


    From Boston.com

    Collins cited the recent NBA lockout, the Boston Marathon bombings and Massachusetts Congressman Joe Kennedy, his old college roommate, as some of the reasons he decided to make the announcement now:

    I realized I needed to go public when Joe Kennedy, my old roommate at Stanford and now a Massachusetts congressman, told me he had just marched in Boston's 2012 Gay Pride Parade. I'm seldom jealous of others, but hearing what Joe had done filled me with envy. I was proud of him for participating but angry that as a closeted gay man I couldn't even cheer my straight friend on as a spectator. If I'd been questioned, I would have concocted half truths. What a shame to have to lie at a celebration of pride. I want to do the right thing and not hide anymore. I want to march for tolerance, acceptance and understanding. I want to take a stand and say, "Me, too."

    Congressman Kennedy today released the following statement in support of Collins:

    “For as long as I've known Jason Collins he has been defined by three things: his passion for the sport he loves, his unwavering integrity, and the biggest heart you will ever find. Without question or hesitation, he gives everything he's got to those of us lucky enough to be in his life. I'm proud to stand with him today and proud to call him a friend.”

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  7. That Soul Cycle article this morning is all I need to know about Jake Gyllenhaal. (Sidenote: The article indicates that it was "published" on 4/26/13, yet I never saw it on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Mysteriously the site indicates that it was updated this morning. Yet, the first comments are from 8 hours ago. I have a feeling after the all the OMG discoveries about Mumford this last weekend, I think Jake's publicist rushed out a story to try to do some damage control. I think the back to back Just Jared posts tried to do the same.)

    Frankly, I could care less what kind of pictures suddenly appear on the Internet and what color shoe laces or shirt Jake is wearing. What's important is that after all these years, he continues to boggle the mind with the lengths he will go to make people think he is straight. First off, the premise of the article itself is insulting to those with even an ounce of sense. Jake has been going to Soul Cycle (or at least that's what we've be told) since I believe October 2011. All of a sudden, women are beating down the door to get into the class after his? And, now we're being told he's there all the time with his "girlfriend". Really? How utterly stupid and homophobic of Jake. He is a fool.

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  8. Incredible timing, Special. What an appropriate moment to read this story about Jason Collins. It is very moving and I'm not even a member of the community but what a proud time. He waited but since no one would come forward, he did. That is courage. I don't think I have to tell anyone here that.

    Because it comes on a day where I have never been more embarrassed to have been fooled by Mr Jacob
    Gyllenhaal for the past whatever number of years it's been since I first wondered who this kid was.

    Its no fun to type all this on my phone and I should be writing but I checked the blog and there's Special's comment.

    We're going to have ourselves a class Show and Tell later this evening although if someone wants to take the ultimate pleasure, by all means please do so and post the New York Daily News Spin Cycle story in its glorious entirety here for all to see.

    It really does deserve its 15 minutes.

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  9. Jake is Gay, looks like you have the same affliction of Bile In The Throat that I do after seeing that article and then reading about Jason the NBA player.

    Jake has reached an entirely new low as far as I'm concerned.

    But you know what? One thing that article is deserving of is a bouquet of laughter. It really is quite a work and worthy of some Best Of Moments in Jake Gyllenhaal Bearding History.

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  10. Great news from the NBA. Hopefully many more to come. Too bad for Jake and all the others out there that live life the way thay are. Only hurting themselves. I dor one think Jake has been left behing. Too bad for him.

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  11. Jake is Gay, looks like you have the same affliction of Bile In The Throat that I do after seeing that article and then reading about Jason the NBA player.

    Yes, I do.

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  12. Great spotlight. Sorry that he didnt make it n the Drafts. Hopefully, He can get his foot in the door.

    Also congrats to Collins. Happy he came out and is moving forward with his life.

    Hope everyone has a great week. Mine will been long and working at night.

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  13. I had to laugh at the troll accusing PG of being obsessed, when in actuality it's the troll who is obsessed with this site.

    Yeah, Sure ya did Ms M, Sure ya did.While all along totally dismissing and turning a blind eye to Ms PG's constant stalking of Jake and Austin's every move to find fault  because her illusinon of a marriage love nest of J/A that she imagines aint working.  So blame PR at all cost while she rolls out her "Own PR" Publicity Campaign to anyone who will listen.   I'm feeling you aint laughing at that obsession are ya?

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  14. I have 1 thing to Say:April 29, 2013 at 6:28 PM

    To all the commenters here complaining about Jake and his not coming out, why not mind your own business and live your life.

    Let me put it this way, to all the straight commenters here complaining about Jake not coming out, and or, bearding, " it's his business". What's it to you?

    If you are not aware, most gays in the closet will not out another gay person because they can identify with some of, not all, but some of the personal struggles, either false or real. That is why most other gay people take a live and let live attitude to another gay person. And when the time is right for that person to come out, they support them. Other gays, open or closeted, only get upset when the closeted gay person living a straight image takes a negative attitude or bashes other gays while he/she still lives in the closet.

    My point is: Most of you straight people here don't understand a closeted persons struggles, but you act like you do in most of the rants in your comments and attacks because Jake is not doing what you think he should be doing. And there is most definately a ulterior motive in your needs for him to come out because you want him to. You Know what your Motives are.

    This is Jake's life, not yours!

    Ordinary people, and I know some here have enough personal issues on their plate to deal with instead of demanding a closeted supposedly gay actor comes out. If he's bearding, so what! Many gays have done this until they were ready to come out. You can't make him come out so you can be pleased or happy. When his time is right, it's right for him.
    What self-righteousness, self absorbed and self centeredness some commenters can be. The opperative word is "Self"!
    Live your life and deal with your Issues.
    Jake and other supposedly gay celebrities (Will) deal with Their issues in "Their Own Time",

    Not Yours.

    Deal with it and stop complaining.

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  15. Jake Gyllenhaal's presence at SoulCycle prompts sold-out classes

    After it became known that the hunky actor was a regular, ladies clamored to sign up for Jolie Walsh's 10:30 a.m. class at Union Square




    By Molly Friedman / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
    Published: Friday, April 26, 2013, 6:13 PM
    Updated: Monday, April 29, 2013, 2:00 AM


    The hottest ticket in town is an uncomfortable seat, front and center, at the 10:30 a.m. SoulCycle class at Union Square, where dreamy Jake Gyllenhaal regularly sweats his way through workouts.

    His cycling schedule — and favorite instructor — are no longer a secret, and devotees of the spin studio’s odd mix of aggro instructors and daintily lit candles are doing everything they can to snag a spot next to Gyllenhaal and his facial scruff.

    “I just go to SoulCycle for Jake,” said Leslie, a 35-year-old yoga instructor, after being disappointed that she’d missed a class with Gyllenhaal the day before. (Leslie declined to give her last name for fear of being outed as a Gyllenhaal lover.)

    “Everyone knows which classes he goes to. Since they’re so hard to get into, I’ve even set up an alarm on my phone so it reminds me on Monday that I have to go online to be in that class.” Leslie says she pre-books the popular time slot to ensure she never missed another Gyllenhaal sighting again.

    Hilary Sheinbaum, who started going to SoulCycle after the first wave of Gyllenhaal sightings at the studio late last year, admits that she tries to secure a bike at his favorite classes whenever she can. “Having him there, I’m on my best workout behavior,” says Sheinbaum, 25. “Having him as eye candy does not hurt.”

    Celebrity sightings are a dime a dozen in New York gyms, but how often do you get to spend 45 whole minutes at arm’s length from one of the Hollywood’s hottest hunks, pumping his gorgeous hamstrings, flexing his muscles, and wearing bicep-clinging T-shirts?


    tbc

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  16. cont.

    RELATED: JAKE GYLLENHAAL DATING SI MODEL: REPORT

    As ladies like Leslie and Sheinbaum know, the 32-year-old actor regularly sits in the front row of instructor Jolie Walsh’s 10:30 a.m. class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and tends to pop in to her 11:45 a.m. Saturday sessions. And it’s not like he’s trying to be discreet.

    “He’s ‘taught’ the class from the instructor’s bike in the past, a job they don’t just give to some random weekend warrior,” says Lizzy, 31, who was lucky enough to sit directly behind him in a recent class. (Lizzy declined to use her last name since she’s a SoulCycle regular and doesn’t want to be banned from the bikes.) “They will pull regulars and put them up there on occasion, but usually it’s just the instructor.”

    Before the start of class, two staff members from the studio flutter around the room, helping first-timers adjust their bikes. But when Gyllenhaal’s in the class, Lizzy says, “there were at least 5, and they parked themselves in front of the studio, which happened to be right in front of his bike. I'm not sure if they actually thought they were going to be plucked by Gyllenhaal from SoulCycle obscurity while wearing an oversized T-shirt, but I admired their gumption.”

    Kym Perfetto, a SoulCycle instructor at several locations, was one of the first people to notice him in her Union Square class late last year. “When he first started coming to SoulCycle,” she says, “He came to my class at 10:30 and it wasn’t filled out at all. The next week, the very next week, 10:30 was sold out, and it’s been sold out [ever since].”

    “Did you see him?,” whispered one sweaty rider after riding in one of Gyllenhaal’s classes. Smiling girls gathered in corners of the SoulCycle Union Square studio’s co-ed locker room at 10:30 a.m. one recent Thursday morning, trading elated reactions to working out so close to the hunky star. The energy at this particular studio reaches hypertense levels once the first cycler spots “Jake.” Suddenly, everyone’s necks are craned and they have ballerina posture. Gyllenhaal is rumored to have met his current girlfriend, Sports Illustrated model Emily DiDonato, in a SoulCycle class, after all.


    tbc

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  17. Apparently President Clinton knows Jason Collins. Jason graduated from Stanford with Chelsea. I would love to see President Obama recognize Jason in some way.

    Way to go Red Sox.

    This is a huge thing that happened today. I can feel it.

    PG is correct Jake is a butt hole.

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  18. ^^^

    And this here makes some mad, Why?

    Because he has not shown he and Austin's wedding rings and family photo of the 6 children at the mansion.

    Who cares about the PR mess. All of HW celebritys live by this Sh_t. What's the big deal. lol

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  19. cont.

    Even the 9:30 a.m. class on Thursday with Jolie is next to impossible to reserve, since riders know if they linger on their bikes long enough post-class, “stretching,” or bombarding Jolie with very important questions about their progress, backaches,or padded bike shorts, their chances of a Gyllenhaal sighting increase.

    Hoping for that kind of chance encounter, we signed up for Jolie’s usually sold-out 9:30 a.m. class, hoping to get a taste of the frantic rush to spot Gyllenhaal immediately afterwards.

    It was our lucky day. We walked in to the studio and there he was, in a black muscle tee, with a towel over his shoulder, getting ready to spin like a maniac. With us.

    Girls hoping to lure Gyllenhaal into their sweaty arms during class will be disappointed to hear that Gyllenhaal’s blue-eyed girlfriend Emily was along for the ride as well.

    So what’s so special about cycling with Gyllenhaal? That becomes clear once the music starts and Jolie starts thrusting her upper body all over the place. Gyllenhaal, who sat in the front row facing Jolie’s podium, is a serious SoulCycler. With his hair pulled into a topknot and a grizzly six-o’clock shadow gradually getting soaked with sweat, he bopped from right to left, head down, performing swift push-ups and shoulder thrusts to rapid-fire music.

    And for some mysterious reason, before the 5-minute cooldown that ends class, he switched from his front-row seat to a less prominent spot on the side. True to form, Gyllenhaal hung around after class to talk to Jolie, sitting his muscular behind on her podium and lounging on one arm.

    For professional reasons, obviously, we realized we were the only other person in the room besides the celebrity hunk and his SoulCycle soulmate. We walked right over to Jolie to ask an important question that couldn’t wait.

    “So, do you post your playlist online?” No, Jolie said, explaining that she wasn’t allowed to anymore. But if we wanted it, we could simply email her. We could smell Gyllenhaal’s shampoo.

    “Um, well, what was that one song? ‘King of Shadows,’ I think?”

    Jolie said it was actually called “The Brightest Lights” and smiled, effectively ending our make-believe conversation. But that’s when the great sweaty man spoke.

    “King Charles,” said Gyllenhaal, looking us in the eyes.

    And with that, the $34 class paid for itself.


    Spinnin Spinnin Spinnin

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  20. I saw that about the Red Sox, so proud of the the hometown team.

    Joe Kennedy (the youngest Joe Kennedy) was Jason's roommate in college. And Jason mentioned how jealous he was that Joe marched in the Boston Gay Pride parade. This year Jason says he's going to march in Boston's Parade, and I bet with his friend Joe.

    When playing for Boston Jason always wore the number 98. Now we know why. It was for Matthew Shepard, who was killed in 1998.

    Don't over look the little things people do while still in the closet. Sometimes those are the whispers they need to say on the way to speaking up and coming out.

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  21. I probably should have issued a big barf/LMAO warning before putting up the Spin article. Sorry for anyone about to eat dinner, lol.

    After all, what can you do but laugh? Especially after reading a line like this:

    True to form, Gyllenhaal hung around after class to talk to Jolie, sitting his muscular behind on her podium and lounging on one arm.

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  22. You know, the least the writer could have done was to use the word "buttocks" in that sentence rather than behind. For the sake of slash readers everywhere.

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  23. Apr 29, 2013 at 9:57 AM

    Jake Gyllenhaal Is a SoulCycle Teacher’s Pet

    By Kat Stoeffel

    As if SoulCyle weren't enough of a cult already, the New York City cycling class has a handsome new poster child in actor Jake Gyllenhaal. His regular appearance has reportedly caused total gridlock at the Union Square studio's 10:30 a.m. classes, as well as the ones immediately before them. According to the Daily News, Gyllenhaal spins with his hair in a man bun, knows the songs, and is invited to take over the instructor's bike — the seal of SoulCycle indoctrination. He goes with his girlfriend, Sports Illustrated model Emily DiDonato, whom he reportedly met in a SoulCycle class. His followers declined to tell the Daily News their names for fear of retribution from cycling powers.

    Bicycle Built for Two

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  24. Just some rapid fire impressions of this New York Daily News article:

    * Not one picture of Jake actually in a Soul Cycle class.
    * The one pic of him on a non stationary cycle is from 2006
    * The next pic of Jake is from 2011 when he was in Europe promoting Source Code
    * Even though his fake "girlfriend" is brought up three times, not one pic of her either
    * The article makes it sound like Jake just started spinning late last year. When we know, in fact, he started being tweeted at Soul Cycle back in October 2011 with very little fanfare
    * In the past, we were told that he took his shirt off when he worked out. Now, we get statements like: [Jake] wears bicep-clinging T-shirts and a black muscle tee
    * The public has been told that Jake is discreet and guards his privacy with all the strength he has within him. Yet, he has his PR team script an article that tells exactly what dates and times he is at the Union Square Soul Cycle on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
    * Jake portrays himself as a feminist, yet this article reeks of unabashed Misogyny (with a capital "M". Here are just a few shallow examples:

    Ladies clamored after the "hunky actor"

    “I just go to SoulCycle for Jake"

    [Women]get to spend 45 whole minutes at arm’s length from one of Hollywood’s hottest hunks, pumping his gorgeous hamstrings, flexing his muscles, and wearing bicep-clinging T-shirts

    Women are portrayed as wearing over-sized T-shirts and it's pointed out that they have a lot of "gumption" to think [they have a chance with him].

    I've just got to shake my head and chuckle. Jake is more of a fool than I even imagined.

    PR: I know you're trying to portray Jake as a ladies man, but you forgot that you have maybe 50-100 sightings prior to the summer of last year, where people posted tweets of Jake at Soul Cycle and not one indication that women were falling all over themselves and selling out classes just to get close to him. In fact, Jake was always portrayed as a non regular, regular. Unpredictable regarding the classes he would attend, at what times, and how often he would frequent the cycling studio. Now, all of a sudden Manhattan women are going crazy for Jake Gyllenhaal. I'm surprised no one fainted at the sound of his voice. Or, clawed out one of the bitches eyes for lingering too long on the unworldly physique of what truly must be a god among men.

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  25. How are those examples of Jake's misogyny? Sounds more like the women objectifying Jake. Jake has nothing to do with that.

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  26. Gyllenhaal spins with his hair in a man bun

    LOL! Jake doesn't have long enough hair to wear a man bun. Wow! The lies continue to pile up.

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  27. Jake's long on top hair pulled up would look the Pebble hairdo that Austin sported during his early Paleolithic days.

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  28. This spin class crap is such a joke.


    Heard about the Kennedy connection with Jason. Also heard president did call Jason.

    This has been a great day. It sure is getting a lot of press.

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  29. That whole article is riddled with misogynistic overtones. The women are portrayed as shallow, sexually frustrated females who moronically obsess and drool over a guy who is portrayed as being out of reach to them. They don't work out to improve their health, de-stress or improve their stamina. They come simply to see the great Jake Gyllenhaal. After all, we all know women are brainless hens who cluck all day long looking for a man to notice them. Jake is not so much objectified as he is deified throughout that pathetic puff piece.

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  30. I feel once Jake wanted to be a hero like Jason. So sad he turned his back. It was Jakes choice to not come out and no one can force him but that doesnt mean we dont have to be sad.

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  31. WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama called Jason Collins on Monday to express his gratitude after the NBA player publicly announced that he is gay, two sources familiar with the call told The Huffington Post.

    A White House official confirmed the call, saying that the president wanted to "express his support" and tell Collins that "he was impressed by his courage."

    Collins, 34, has been a journeyman center in the NBA since graduating from Stanford. In penning his Sports Illustrated essay, he became the first openly gay male athlete to be currently playing a major sport.

    The announcement took both the sports world and the LGBT community by surprise, with one gay rights activist telling The Huffington Post they were "caught off-guard," but adding that they were thrilled at the overwhelming public support Collins has received.

    Several politicians have applauded Collins' decision to come out as well. First Lady Michelle Obama tweeted her support, while former President Bill Clinton -- whose daughter went to school with Collins -- offered a statement exalting his courage.

    Collins is set to make his first public remarks since coming out on Tuesday, when he'll appear on ABC's "Good Morning America."

    And here's Michelle's tweet:

    FLOTUS Verified account ‏@FLOTUS

    So proud of you, Jason Collins! This is a huge step forward for our country. We’ve got your back! -mo
    The conversation took place several hours after Sports Illustrated published an essay by Collins in which he came out and explained why he had waited until now to make the announcement.

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  32. I must tip my hat to M&M. Why? Because I believe she must have really hit a nail on the head with the whole Marcus Mumford/Carey "wedding" and Marcus/Austin's birthday correlation. I have never seen so much reaction as we have been witnessing ever since that day of discussion. And it all started that same evening.

    PR has got Jake and Marcus both on speed dial photo op call. Those 2 guys have been hitting the NYC sidewalks ever since, chatting with anyone who will apparently listen.

    Just a fascinating study. And I have to say, had I known there was going to be so much entertainment put on, I would've bought myself a box of SmartPop! microwave popcorn - theater style, of course.

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  33. Wow, that's great that President Obama called him. Utterly fantastic.

    I wonder how Jason Collins feels tonight.

    It's just thrilling to see the positive reaction. Very exciting.

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  34. So sad he turned his back. It was Jakes choice to not come out and no one can force him but that doesnt mean we dont have to be sad.

    It's not just sad, but the way Jake allows himself to be portrayed, not just distancing himself from the gay movement, but going all out to lie about who he is, borders on the reprehensible. In fact, it is more than reprehensible. Staying in the closet is a choice. But, actively creating an heterosexual image that is all kinds of false is not just deceitful it is darn right shameful.

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  35. You can't escape the truth, JakeApril 29, 2013 at 10:34 PM

    I had to laugh when I saw the photo of Jake strolling all by his lonesome, supposedly in Tribeca today. Only one comment, but it really is hilarious:

    On the Prowl (26 minutes ago)

    Looking for fresh man meat.

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  36. Yeah his behavior is awful. I am not angry at him anymore. Feel sorry for him. Cannot be a happy man. Self hatred can be dangerous can lead to serious problems.

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  37. There is an article in New York Magazine online about Jason Collins' post-sports career because he came out. And how he will be in demand as a spokesman, author, etc.

    Kind of puts the argument that all the managers, business managers and agents make to be moot.

    Jason Collins: Future Gay Athlete Spokesman?

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  38. Get some Patience and ToleranceApril 29, 2013 at 11:45 PM

    It's not just sad, but the way Jake allows himself to be portrayed, not just distancing himself from the gay movement, but going all out to lie about who he is, borders on the reprehensible. In fact, it is more than reprehensible. Staying in the closet is a choice. But, actively creating an heterosexual image that is all kinds of false is not just deceitful it is darn right shameful.

    What on earth are you talking about???

    Almost any person who is in the closet has their "OWN" fears of the unknown if and when they come out, ridicule from family and people who you thought were friends, co-workers, careers, religion etc.. It could be many things. So the choice is theirs to make and they have to live with it. And they can live with it, it can be done, but there can be backlash unfortunately.

    Many men and women who don't fit the stereotypical gay image who are in the closet struggle with fears also, so it's not as if they are creating some heterosexual image. Most people don't consider or think they're gay anyway, So it's easier to fit in and stay in the closet. Sure, coming out and being who you really are is the most important thing in one's life, be we all walk our own path.

    But who are YOU to decide what anothers should do with "Their Life"? If and When Jake or Austin or whatever celebrity comes out it's their choice. GET IT?

    If you want a role model I suggest you strap on your boots and be your own with your courage and set the example you demand others do with their lives.
    The last I heard is that we here in America live in a Democracy where we are free to live our lives the way we want not what others demand we do for their needs.

    If you're gay and OUT, Great. Deal with some Patience and Tolerance and let others live their lives and come when they KNOW the Time Is Right for them.

    Not so you can gush over some handsome Movie Actor for your role model.

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