Michael, Jason and Matthew

Since the coming out of Michael Sam as the potential first openly gay athlete in the NFL, there has been a misguided effort by a little known lobbyist in Washington. Jack Burkman, to garner support for a bill to ban Gay players in the NFL.  Displaying his blatant homophobia in the press release announcing his efforts, Burkman said: ”We are losing our decency as a nation. Imagine your son being forced to shower with a gay man. That’s a horrifying prospect for every mom in the country. What in the world has this nation come to?”.  In a statement to the Huffington Post, Burkman went even further: "I felt that if the NFL doesn't have any morals, and people like [Commissioner] Roger Goodell, who are just go-along-get-along guys, just want to appease advertisers, appease corporate America and all that stuff, I figured, well, it is time for conservatives in Congress to step in and define morality for them...This is not about bigotry. It is about common decency and civility. Society is moving to a point where we are going to have unisex bathrooms and the next generation thinks that is OK."  The really sad part about Burkman is the fact that he has an openly Gay brother.  His brother is on record however, saying in so many words that Burkman is a nut job who has jumped off the deep end with his efforts to ban Gay players in the NFL.

By far, the best response to this whole little brouhaha comes from the target of the proposed legislation himself.  Michael Sam had the tweet of the day yesterday, zinging Burkman with the following:  

Jack Burkman is going to need a Delorian, not some bogus bill, if he wants to prevent gay athletes from being in the locker room
— Michael Sam (@MikeSamFootball) February 25, 2014

 Congratulations Michael on the perfect response to this whack job of a lobbyist.  In a side note, Jason Collins who debuted Sunday night as the first openly Gay active NBA player had his Brooklyn Nets jersey go on sale for the first time on NBA Store yesterday.  The number 98 jersey Collins wears is in tribute to Matthew Shepard who was brutally murdered for being gay in 1998.  “According to a league spokesperson, Collins’ jersey was the top seller at the NBA Store and its website on Tuesday, the first day it was made available,” the NY Daily News reports.  Judy Shepard, Matthew's mother had this to say in response to Jason Collins tribute: “Super excited for him. To bring Matt’s story into it, to continue to keep Matt’s story out there, it reminds people that this is the kind of thing that happens and is still happening, even if we don’t read about it like we used to. It is still happening. We just have to be conscious of it and we just need to be kind to each other. How hard is that?  We were very touched,” Judy added when asked for her reaction to learning about Collins’ tribute. “For him to make that tribute to Matt was meaningful to us.”  

Your Midweek Musical Moment features the Piano Concerto Number 1 in E Minor by Anton Rubinstein with a performance by Joseph Banowetz as the Piano Soloist accompanied by the Czechoslovak Philharmonic Orchestra, Alfred Walter conducting.  In addition, you may want to hear the Overture to Romeo and Juliet by Tchaikovsky over on my tumblr. 

Then it is time once more for Wet Wednesday and this weeks collection of sexy studs frolicking about the pools, beaches and baths of the world after the video.  Be sure to check out the Hottie of the Day! also on my tumblr.  Thank you for sharing part of your day with me, see you again soon.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!

Sports Notes

The Sochi Olympics ended yesterday, however the Olympics were not the only thing making news in the world of sports over the weekend, but we will start there.  The top individual medal winner was Out Speedskater Ireen Wust of the Netherlands with 2 Gold and 3 Silver Medals.  Ryan Quinn from Outsports also did a terrific interview with Gay Biathlete Brian Olsen on why the definition of 'Out' has changed in the world of Olympic Sports.  Also on Outsports, Ryan Sifferman of Fox Sports did a series of Ryan in Russia posts about the observations of an Openly Gay Sports Fan/Media person attending the Sochi Olympics.

Meanwhile, back here in the US, the NFL combine was in Indianapolis over the weekend.  The combine is where prospective NFL players coming out of college showcase their talent for the scouts and team officials.  The big story of the combine was of course Missouri Defensive End Michael Sam who is set to become the first openly Gay NFL athlete.  Sam gave a press conference during the combine and from all accounts handled all the media hype wonderfully well.  His operative phrase: "I just want to do what I love to do and that's play football".  Cyd Zeigler also did an excellent analytical article, The Phantom Now Has A Face, on how the conversation is moving forward on a Gay player in the NFL.

Then last but not least, Jason Collins made history last night when he took to the boards with the Brooklyn Nets in their game with the Los Angeles Lakers as the first openly Gay active player in the NBA.  His appearance was met with some light applause and then it was on to business as usual and the game continued without incident.  In fact, it was almost a 'ho-hum, oh he's Gay, so what' kind of moment.  Would that that would become the normal reaction to professional Gay athletes no matter the sport.  Jason Collins road from prospective to actual first openly Gay player in the NBA was paved with patience and a lot of hard work.  There is also this photograph of Jason Collins on the court in an NBA game which says more than a million words about Gays in pro sports.  Now all we need is some courageous athletes from the NHL and MLB to join Jason Collins and Michael Sam so we can sound the trumpets around Jericho and the walls will come tumbling down.  How inspiring that will be to young Gay athletes as they are coming up and 'Out'.  To know that they can be that top flight athlete that makes it to the elite level of professional sports, even if they are Gay.  It could be the difference between another potential suicide and success in the sport they love.  We can only hope (and work our butts off to get there)!


This week on Monday with Mozart is the Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet in A Major, KV581 with a performance by Valter Vitek on Clarinet along with the Kubin Quartet.  This recording was made in Ostrava, Czech Republic in 1989.  You may also hear the master's Violin Concerto Number 3 over on my tumblr.

Finally for today, to get your week started right is this collection of handsome hard bodied hunks lounging about the page in their Monday's Undies below the video.  Check out the Hottie of the Day! to be found on my tumblr as well.  Thanks for starting your week with a visit here at Nichevo, see you again tomorrow.  Until next time as always, Enjoy!