A reader writes:
Are multiple gold medals in successive Olympics not sufficient for stardom? Does Greg Louganis somehow not qualify as a superstar? That he was widely known as a diver, a sport that does itself lead to wider fame, suggests that he should be regarded as such.
On a broader level, it seems that the gay athletic superstars come from sports where athletes compete as individuals rather than team sports.
I am not sure when there will be an openly gay superstar in will appear in a major team sport, but when I see my aunt and her wife cheering for their son in his little league games and youth soccer matches, it's clear to me that it's only a matter of time before we see cameras cut from a quarterback passing for a crucial touchdown in a playoff game to his proud moms cheering for him in the stands.
Another writes:
If you want to find a gay superstar, Andrew, you should be looking a little closer to your native land. Specifically, Wales, where rugby star Gareth Thomas has come out as openly gay. He is the 2nd highest try scorer in Welsh rugby union history. (That sentence should make perfect to sense to, what, 5% of your readership??) And he's got a lovely shiny bald head and sometimes sports a beard.
Let's see a tea-partier boo him to this face:
Another:
He may not be well-known worldwide, but in the world of rugby Gareth Thomas is a superstar. There was a wonderful profile of him in Sports Illustrated last year.
Thomas also did an IGB video. One more from the homeland:
Steve Davies is one of the better batsman in English County cricket right now, and he’s out.
The Dish 