Ian Thorpe Sets Us Straight

Local News, By Christian Taylor, 30th January, 2009

Ian Thorpe has commented on the recent ‘speculation and innuendo’ over his sexuality from the Daily Telegraph, calling the gay rumours ‘tiresome’.

“Over the last few days there have been a series of press articles published speculating about my friendship with Daniel Mendes,” said Ian. “I am still friends with many of the people I competed and trained with during my swimming career. Daniel is one such good friend whom I have known for many years. I have only commented on this issue at this time because I draw a line when innuendo implicates people like my family and my friends. I find this kind of inaccurate speculation tiresome and I am annoyed by the hurt it has caused those closest to me… In the past, on several separate occasions, I have answered questions about my sexuality openly and honestly with the media.”

This week David Lyall, Grand Slam International’s communications director, told the Daily Telegraph, “I don’t think… there’s any reason for Ian to dignify what has been said. It’s a matter of some photos being taken and some implications being made on the internet.”

Gossip site Perez Hilton talked about the Australian media’s relentless pursuit to out the swimmer, saying: “Thorpe’s manager, however, says they’re ‘just mates’ – which is Australian for ‘fucking’.”

Gay Or Nay? The top 10 ‘are they?’ or ‘aren’t they?’ speculations.

This week Same Same’s newsletter editorial squarely looked at the facts – or lack thereof – and asked, at what point does this kind of journalism become homophobic?

“When you boil it all down the only facts confirmed by the piece were that Thorpe has lived with Mendes for three years, that their families know each other and socialise together, that Mendes is ‘more slightly built’ than Thorpe, that they met through Thorpe’s former coach and that they’ve spent time together attending Foxtel events and hanging out on the beach in Brazil.

“The story has left me feeling torn.

“On the one hand, there is a part of me wants Ian to be gay. I want hear him talk about how he had to keep it a secret all these years, how he was afraid of the homophobia he would face. I don’t want to see him outed, but I would like to see him step up to the plate. Not everyone wants to be an activist, but if nobody stands tall then nothing changes.

“On the other hand, there’s also a part of me that doesn’t want him to be gay. I like how confusing he is. I like that he designs jewellery, models underwear and that he’s into fashion, yet he’s also been one of Australia’s most elite sportsmen. I like the challenge he throws down to straight guys. I like his contradictions.

“At the end of the day, if Ian is lying, the person he’s doing the biggest disservice to is himself. But if he’s not, how sleazy does that make us? Celebrities may feel like our public property, but don’t they have the right to draw their curtains every night, just like you and I?”

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