Ian Thorpe: Being asked if I'mgay gets annoying

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Matt Akersten

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Mon 9th Jul, 2012 in Local News

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Aussie freestyle swimmer Ian Thorpe says he’s known about persistent rumours that he’s gay for a long time – and being asked about his sexuality gets annoying.

Following his unsuccessful bid for the London Olympics and a difficult year for his various business interests, the five-gold-medal winner has opened up to the ABC for a new doco to be screened this weekend.

“I was down,” he says of recent months. “I call it the dark times.”
When asked about rumours around his personal life, Thorpe said he realized at age 15 that gay men found him attractive.

“Being asked about it gets annoying,” he added. “I think people feel threatened by me because they can’t define exactly what I am.”

When asked directly about his sexual preference the swimmer’s response was concise: “Women.”

Those gay rumours have certainly been intense for the 29-year-old sports star. Whenever he’s on the news, people Googling ‘Ian Thorpe gay’ get them to this SameSame.com.au page which has now had over 100,000 views.

As far back as 2007, Thorpe had said: “I don’t have a problem with being a gay icon. It’s not a big deal to me. But I think the gay speculation, along with when I was accused of taking drugs in 2000, was an attempt to pull me down from the top.

“Some people think it’s an insult to say, ‘Oh I think he’s gay’, but I don’t take it that way. I’m not gay. I’m lucky that within myself I don’t care enough to get worried or upset over it.”

The ABC’s new doco Ian Thorpe: The Swimmer airs at 7:30pm on Sunday 15 July on ABC1. The trailer is below.

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Doolander

Doolander said on the 11th Jul, 2012

^^ so you're saying when someone doesn't come out because they are not comfortable with it they are doing a dis-service?

Sascha Edel

Sascha Edel said on the 11th Jul, 2012

Thorpe makes money from participating in mass media expression and not for swimming or coaching alone, but for being Ian Thorpe. There is inherent responsibility for everything he says and does. Simultaneously, there is a clear responsibility within all parts of the media when they add or allow comment that has social, ethical and moral consequences. Continuing to hold Thorpe aloft as an icon of sorts for GLBT people is fraught. But, who he loves or shags is only his business, so long as he keeps his media interactions strictly professional. One can look a bit of a tosser when flirting with an audience (in a manner of speaking) to gain revenue and then denying responsibility and claiming to feel annoyed by ensuing attention regarding the flirtatiousness. Either he's aware of his role, or he has had dreadful management.

VivienLeighisQueen

VivienLeighisQueen said on the 12th Jul, 2012

I respect him as an Australian Icon. I don't belive he is but we will never know unless he comes out. Who cares really...Whatever he does in his private life is his own personal life. I'm proud of him and hope he does well in any direction he goes in.

Marc

Marc said on the 12th Jul, 2012

A quote I stumbled across:

“Coming out” is a problematic phrase because it suggests one was “in the closet,” which is analogous to a cage, a prison — some torture chamber one needed to escape. “Coming out” creates and exacerbates a language of otherness; love and sex cannot be love and sex, but rather “straight love” and “gay love,” “straight sex” and “gay sex.”

“Coming out” suggests that you are not normal, so you must reveal yourself to be abnormal; you must acknowledge that, by living “in the closet,” you lived a false life — a notion that smacks of simplicity, a word far too weak to describe the fluidity of human sexuality and, more over, one’s freedom to express his sexuality as he sees fit versus, say, the hetero-normative ways which society deems “normal” and “acceptable.”

There is “coming out” and there is “I love this man.”

The former allows heterosexuals to feel good about themselves; it creates space, otherness, between “straight” love and “gay” or “queer” love; it maintains the status quo.

The latter, meanwhile, is a declarative statement devoid of labels. It is expression. It is — to sound slightly trite — a human thing to say. Love is love; there is no otherness; the status quo is threatened, if not outright attacked.

If Ian does in fact love another man, however declares his interest is in women, then who the Feck are we to insist he is released from the "cage" that he chooses to remain in?

Furthermore WHY does the public insist that those who's "job" is in the public eye also have to champion the "gay cause" by declaring their sexual orientation? I've been with a public figure for the best part of 2010-11 who chooses to not "be out" and the angst he suffers is killing him! He hates not being anonymous. He hates not having the freedom I have to be open about my partner, when I have one, and no one really gives a shit!

One may ask, why in 2012, both hetro and homo people need media identities to be Out at all, to validate the existence of gay people?

MrAsh said on the 12th Jul, 2012

A quote I stumbled across:

“Coming out” is a problematic phrase because it suggests one was “in the closet,” which is analogous to a cage, a prison — some torture chamber one needed to escape. “Coming out” creates and exacerbates a language of otherness; love and sex cannot be love and sex, but rather “straight love” and “gay love,” “straight sex” and “gay sex.”

“Coming out” suggests that you are not normal, so you must reveal yourself to be abnormal; you must acknowledge that, by living “in the closet,” you lived a false life — a notion that smacks of simplicity, a word far too weak to describe the fluidity of human sexuality and, more over, one’s freedom to express his sexuality as he sees fit versus, say, the hetero-normative ways which society deems “normal” and “acceptable.”

There is “coming out” and there is “I love this man.”

The former allows heterosexuals to feel good about themselves; it creates space, otherness, between “straight” love and “gay” or “queer” love; it maintains the status quo.

The latter, meanwhile, is a declarative statement devoid of labels. It is expression. It is — to sound slightly trite — a human thing to say. Love is love; there is no otherness; the status quo is threatened, if not outright attacked.

If Ian does in fact love another man, however declares his interest is in women, then who the Feck are we to insist he is released from the "cage" that he chooses to remain in?

Furthermore WHY does the public insist that those who's "job" is in the public eye also have to champion the "gay cause" by declaring their sexual orientation? I've been with a public figure for the best part of 2010-11 who chooses to not "be out" and the angst he suffers is killing him! He hates not being anonymous. He hates not having the freedom I have to be open about my partner, when I have one, and no one really gives a shit!

One may ask, why in 2012, both hetro and homo people need media identities to be Out at all, to validate the existence of gay people?

Great comment Marc.

HubbaHubba said on the 12th Jul, 2012

But our taxes ARE being spent on athletes. And they have no HECS debt.

Thorpey got over 100 gran of services a year since his come back.

Multiply that by all the year he's been swimming at the elite level, multiply that by the number of elite swimmers receiving similar funding, mutiply that by all the sports that have similar funding levels and it becomes quite apparent that the tax payer really does own these athletes ans that they have a debt to the community and not just to their estranged wife and her up turned piano or the boyfriend who's a boyfriend in every part of your life except when it comes to the official public record (because it hurts your spon$hip earning potential to be an out gayman.)

BiteMartha

BiteMartha said on the 12th Jul, 2012

He's so fucking boring.
WHO THE FUCK CARES ABOUT HIM ANYWAY?

Let him stay in his closet.

MyBoyFreindIsGay

MyBoyFreindIsGay said on the 12th Jul, 2012

The_Freak

The_Freak said on the 13th Jul, 2012

Goats? :eek:... According to one of the other threads, they have nice goats in Queensland! And I'll bet they're not fast swimmers!! Not that I'm suggesting he's into that sort of thing, that's his business! :D

Papilio said on the 13th Jul, 2012

The only person who doesn't know Ian Thorpe is gay is Ian Thorpe.

HubbaHubba said on the 13th Jul, 2012

Don't gay guys nowadays love Eamon Sullivan more than Ian Thorpe? Anthony Mahera, aren't you one of them? ;) :)

Sullivan is so 2008 and even then he never really hit the same media heights as previous elite swimmers.

In fact swimmng has taken quite a dive in popularity since that group of thorpe hackett klim etc were competing.

No more swimming trials in prime time etc.

There was more interest in the comebacks of swimmers who were trying to recapture their former marketing glory than the up and comng swimmers who have the real chance to win medals at the moment.

HubbaHubba said on the 13th Jul, 2012

Ps. James Magnusen is hot, but only with a bag over his head. Such a shame as he has a superb body.

HubbaHubba said on the 13th Jul, 2012

you know how many guys I've slept with who told me they weren't gay? ...which I love because I was only ever in it for the sex. No point getting involved with men who have such limited self awareness.

Whenever I hear them say "I'm not gay" I always ask them to say it again with their mouth full.

Correz

Correz said on the 13th Jul, 2012

Ian Thorpe is a role model. It is an obligation that he accepted - like it or not – when he chose to become an Olympic athlete. It is what is expected (and required) in exchange for the extraordinary opportunity that this privileged position provides.

We have a right to expect that role models display integrity and are honest about who they are. Minimally we should expect them not to be intentionally dishonest.

The precedent for the community expressing disappointment & anger at highly rewarded athletes who have not been honest with us is well established: Ben Johnson, Marion Jones (“I don’t take drugs”), Tiger Woods (“I love my wife") are just a few examples.

There are differences between being intentionally dishonest about one’s sexuality (“I’m sexually interested in women”) and choosing not to disclose it (“I don’t discuss my sexuality"). However sports stars (or any celebrity for that matter) can’t expect to reap the extraordinary benefits that their unique position provides & not expect criticism when intentional dishonesty is exposed.

Inextricably linked to considerations of honesty and integrity is the issue of courage. That’s part of the deal for all sports stars and it’s irrevocably part of the deal for Olympic athletes.

If I was an sports star (which I’m not likely to be unless they open an event for tread-mill running), and most particularly if I was a publicly-funded Australian Olympic athlete, I would like to think that I would be courageous enough to be open about my sexuality.

Not because it will increase my earnings (it probably wouldn’t), not because it will get the media off my back (it might), but because it is the right thing to do and what the community should reasonably expect from me to up-hold as my part of the deal for their investment in me.

I probably wouldn’t do this by making a statement which defines me by another label (although presumably I haven’t been too concerned about being already labelled by the likes of Adidas, Omega, & Audi). But I would do this on my own terms by not switching pronouns & by my making references to the important & ordinary things in my life such as my partner/boyfriend and our life together during my public utterances.

I would have to accept the risk that this might affect some of my sponsorships, even lose some of them. But I should be expected to balance this against the huge financial benefits I have already received & the knowledge that I would be making an important difference to the lives of many young, and not so young, gay men and women who look up to me as an example of courage, strength, ability and integrity.

In Ian Thorpe’s case it may be true that he is not gay. He has been consistent in his public utterances in this regard even if some of his behaviour suggests otherwise.

It could be that he is gay & has only recently commenced this journey and is still dealing with his own inner demons. Certainly he could be forgiven that considering that almost the entirety of his teenage years and young adulthood was devoted to swimming instead of personal exploration.

But if Thorpe is gay, and he knows that he is, then we have a right to be disappointed if he is not open about his sexuality.

And we have a right to be angry – and damn angry at that – if he is being intentionally dishonest.

Sep77

Sep77 said on the 13th Jul, 2012

I don't understand the attacks here on Ian Thorpe, all this open bitchiness. He's not gay and he gets peeved with the constant questions. If I were constantly asked if I were secretly straight, I'd have lost it long ago. Too many envious bitches here who are fuming that they can't swim nor have a body as fit as Ian's.

peter888

peter888 said on the 13th Jul, 2012

I'm secretly straight.

http://munfitnessblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/gay-swimmer-kissing-at-pool.jpg

flounder

flounder said on the 14th Jul, 2012

I'm secretly straight.

http://munfitnessblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/gay-swimmer-kissing-at-pool.jpg

:eek::eek:

mark_ said on the 14th Jul, 2012

I can't watch this show tomorrow night because I'll be watching Downton Abbey. It has twenty characters who all speak in articulate sentences, I think the Ian Thorpe Show will have half a sentence and a lot of inferences, ums and maybes.

.

local_warming

local_warming said on the 15th Jul, 2012

I can't watch this show tomorrow night because I'll be watching Downton Abbey. It has twenty characters who all speak in articulate sentences, I think the Ian Thorpe Show will have half a sentence and a lot of inferences, ums and maybes.

.

The woman who owns that castle in real life, was able to save the castle from crumbling, with the royalities she was awarded for the show being filmed there. Apparently she was unable to afford the necessary renovations prior to that

Dsquare

Dsquare said on the 15th Jul, 2012

Could have been worse. She could have turned it into a fish farm

coast_boy_21 said on the 15th Jul, 2012

I've just watched the program, and my gaydar is going off big time. I did not realise how obviously gay he is until I viewed the programme. Now I know why people assume he is closeted. I believe if you go to ABC Iview website you can view the programme on there.

Asherbella

Asherbella said on the 16th Jul, 2012

Wondering whether or not a person is gay seems so trivial.
I just think we as a community should focus on those of us who are openly gay.
Why waste energy on celebrities who are closeted? What do they bring to the community?
Again, if a person is uncomfortable being open why push the point?
If an individual isn't comfortable coming out why harrass them about it?
You can't live another persons' life for them, you know.
People who are gay will come out of the closet in their own time and on their own terms.

HubbaHubba said on the 16th Jul, 2012

Wondering whether or not a person is gay seems so trivial.

it's the "what if" factor.

What would our community be like if we had such a prominent successful out gay swimmer in our community?

How would the rest of Australia react?

Would there be less homophobia in society and schools on particular?

Would kids be subjected to less homphobic bullying at school if prominent gay athletes, singers, actors, politcians etc were out publically?

and as a result would less of them suffer from anxiety and depression?

Would there be less suicides as a result of the better mental health in our community?

And how much of this is our individual responsiblity?

How much should we go along to get along?

And how much does financial personal security come into it?

What is the line between protecting oneself and being selfish?

And how much do we owe the people who paved the way before is that allow us to live accepting lives with friends and family?

How do we repay that debt to people who sacrificed so much but never lived long enough to get the chance to receive the benefits of their efforts?????

mark_ said on the 16th Jul, 2012

That TV show was a waste of time. Lots of hyperbole and old footage.

Nothing new was said. No revelations.

The quote about being gay was from an interview a decade ago.

Ian needs time and privacy to find his real self.

Correz

Correz said on the 16th Jul, 2012

it's the "what if" factor.

What would our community be like if we had such a prominent successful out gay swimmer in our community?

Would there be less homophobia in society and schools on particular?

Would kids be subjected to less homophobic bullying at school if prominent gay athletes, singers, actors, politicians etc. were out publicly?

And how much of this is our individual responsibility?

What is the line between protecting oneself and being selfish?

And how much do we owe the people who paved the way before is that allow us to live accepting lives with friends and family?

These are all compelling & legitimate reasons for why it is entirely valid to speculate on the greater good that can come from prominent & highly rewarded athletes being honest about their sexuality.

iammyexperiment

iammyexperiment said on the 16th Jul, 2012

I think you are misinterpreting the discussion on this issue. Mostly it reflects either boredom with the issue and/or Ian Thorpe or frustration with the widely held perception that Thorpe is gay but is more concerned about preserving his financial sponsorships than the greater good that he may be able to do by being honest about his sexuality.

I really doubt anyone here is envious of his swimming prowess or his body. Personally I wouldn't want to be Thorpe, or for that matter, be in Thorpe. (OK. The latter comment was intentionally bitchy. But then this is a gay forum).

Barrin

Barrin said on the 16th Jul, 2012

it's the "what if" factor.

What would our community be like if we had such a prominent successful out gay swimmer in our community?

How would the rest of Australia react?

Would there be less homophobia in society and schools on particular?

Would kids be subjected to less homphobic bullying at school if prominent gay athletes, singers, actors, politcians etc were out publically?

and as a result would less of them suffer from anxiety and depression?

Would there be less suicides as a result of the better mental health in our community?

And how much of this is our individual responsiblity?

How much should we go along to get along?

And how much does financial personal security come into it?

What is the line between protecting oneself and being selfish?

And how much do we owe the people who paved the way before is that allow us to live accepting lives with friends and family?

How do we repay that debt to people who sacrificed so much but never lived long enough to get the chance to receive the benefits of their efforts?????

I find this so naive.
I wish we could get some hard data on the rates of suicide etc. to compare now with say 40 years ago when even Elton John's closet door was firmly shut.
Gut instinct tells me there'd probably be little difference in the figures.
Many years ago I was shocked when a nurse who worked in emergency told me there is a spike in suicide attempts at Mardi Gras time. Being "out" doesn't pave the way for everyone.

Correz

Correz said on the 16th Jul, 2012

I find this so naive.
I wish we could get some hard data on the rates of suicide etc. to compare now with say 40 years ago when even Elton John's closet door was firmly shut.
Gut instinct tells me there'd probably be little difference in the figures.
Many years ago I was shocked when a nurse who worked in emergency told me there is a spike in suicide attempts at Mardi Gras time. Being "out" doesn't pave the way for everyone.

Hard Australian data on suicide rates showing downward trend over the past decade:

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by+Subject/4125.0~Jan+2012~Main+Features~Suicides~3240

Of course it is difficult to associate cause and effect often because of the lack of clear objective evidence that is left behind after suicide. Often families themselves are left to speculate. And as often they don't want to admit to the complexity of issues around sexuality which are a common (but certainly not ubiquitous) contributor as anyone working in suicide prevention will tell you.

I'm not surprised that suicides spike around Mardi Gras. They also do around Christmas. And I suspect for many of the same reasons since both festivals place a focus on the personal connections that many of us are lucky to have, and that many in our community still do not have. There is also the added complexity (whether we like to admit it or not) that our large community events are frequently associated with drug use. And the fact that for some the combination of a festival that emphasises connectivity with a post-drug come-down is lethal.

I agree that being out does not pave the way for everyone. If only life could be that simple. However it can make a difference to many young LGBTI people when they are told, and they can see, that it's OK to be gay because I am not afraid to admit that I am.

mark_ said on the 16th Jul, 2012

I am expecting there will be many suicides after the 'gay marriage' laws are passed amongst all those men like me who can't get a husband and keep him.:rolleyes:

Correz

Correz said on the 16th Jul, 2012

There is definitely a risk of 'be careful what we wish for' inherent in the marriage equality debate. Don't get me wrong. I support it and I think it should be a choice for those who want this level of mainstream normalcy. I certainly don't and won't be dictated to by old men in dresses who want to tell me & my LBGTI gay brothers and sisters who & what gender I can marry.

However there are risks.

Risks exactly as you say that some will be feel excluded from the option out of no fault of their own. Risks that divorce and property settlement will make us poor and lawyers richer. Risks that society will be less tolerant of those in our community who elect to retain more promiscuous life-styles "Because you have gay marriage now & what more could you want?"

We should start the dialogue on this issue now (though perhaps not on the Is-Ian-Thorpe-Gay thread ;) ) because it will be upon us sooner than we think.

Brad_Woodford

Brad_Woodford said on the 17th Jul, 2012

Is there any chance that now in this documentary he has categorically stated that his preference is women, we can all leave him alone?

Gay or not, who cares? I dont get this pre-occupation some sectors of the media and community have with finding out somebodys sexuality. Love him or hate him, Thorpe is a professional swimmer, and is one of the best swimmers in this countrys history. He is also a positive role model to alot of people, particularly young aspiring swimmers.

And if infact he is gay....good luck to him.

Marc

Marc said on the 17th Jul, 2012

I watched the program too. Yes I think he has "shouting from the roof" gay manerisms. However, and particularly to correz, how dare we ask of anyone to public state their sexual preference simply because they have a career that inevitably places them in the public eye? No one asked Ian Roberts of rugby fame, to come out, no one asks a hetrosexual to declare their sexual orientation publicly, and if I asked, for example-Jason Akers to tell all and sundry on tv what his sexual preference is, he look at me if I needed medicating!
Just because we DO have well known 'celebrity' sports stars who may be gay, who have been tallented enough to compete in a very public arena, does not mean we have a right to ask of them any more than is reasonable to ask of ourselves.
The 'coming out of well known public figures, I'd contend, will not make it any easier for someone to come out since their fear of rejection is almost always to do with those who are closest to them: family, peers, mates at school/work.

iammyexperiment

iammyexperiment said on the 17th Jul, 2012

Marc, suggest you check out this article "Is it important for public figures to come out?" which was posted earlier this month in the wake of Anderson Cooper's coming out.

http://www.sodahead.com/living/is-it-important-for-public-figures-to-come-out/question-2772367/

80% of opinions logged with this article support the proposition. As argued very articulately by the US commentator Rick Mercer:

"It's no longer good enough for us to tell kids who are different that it's gonna get better," he said highlighting the number of bullied gay kids who have committed suicide.

"We have to make it better now. That's every single one of us. Every teacher, every student, every adult has to step up to the plate,"

"If you're gay and you're in public life, I'm sorry ... you can't be invisible. Not anymore"

While you are there you might like to add your vote to the 7% supporting the 'No' case.

Brad_Woodford

Brad_Woodford said on the 17th Jul, 2012

iammyexperiment,

I believe it is important for high profile gay people to come out, in that it hopefully provides a role model for people who are having difficulty coming to terms with their sexuality, but that said, I just dont think its up to the media to hound a celebrity or sportsperson into doing it.

The decision has to be left to the individual to do when they feel the time is right.

And to the people who are saying their "gaydar" has gone into overdrive when they see Thorpie on the TV. Its worth remembering you cant always rely on your gaydar to be accurate.

My english teacher at high school was, as far as mannerisms go, as gay as an english high tea. He is however, completly heterosexual, happily married with two children, and still is to this day. There are certainly many men out there with feminine characteristics and mannerisms, who have never once considered the idea of sleeping with a member of the same sex.

HubbaHubba said on the 17th Jul, 2012

He is also a positive role model to alot of people, particularly young aspiring swimmers.

do young aspiring swimmers have a high suicide rate? If yes, then job well done for Ian doing something productive and meaningful with his life apart from getting from point a to b (thru water) quicker than anyone else.

I guess the real crux for me is that I don't understand my countryside obsession with sport. We spend so much time energy and money on these athletes but what do they really do? Doctors and nurses save lives, engineers build things that raise our standards of living, but what do athletes do? Are they just entertainment? If so there is no social commentary they are providing.

iammyexperiment

iammyexperiment said on the 18th Jul, 2012

But HubbaHubba, aren't you forgetting all the hard work they are also required to do in inking-down million dollar sponsorship deals?

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/sponsorship-deals-mean-comeback-swimmer-ian-thorpe-will-earn-more-than-1-million-even-if-he-doesnt-qualify-for-london-olympics/story-e6frep5o-1226186453260

And while we are here can we please respect celebrity privacy (OK. the last comment isn't mine. It's a plea from Jenna Moroney in '30 Rock' who I couldn't get out of my head while watching promos for the Thorpe documentary).

iammyexperiment

iammyexperiment said on the 18th Jul, 2012

In spite of images of the Kevin Klein movie "In-An-Out" swirling through my head as I read this, I will take your word for it that your camp-as-a-row-of-tents English teacher remains a truly avowed heterosexist.

However my considerable personal experience is very different. Invariably I have found that where there is smoke there is fire. But I agree that many men in these circumstances have never once considered sleeping with a member of their own sex. Their considered preference is usually to restricted to sex at beats where they can remain remain upright and wide awake for the duration.

Marc

Marc said on the 18th Jul, 2012

Marc, suggest you check out this article "Is it important for public figures to come out?" which was posted earlier this month in the wake of Anderson Cooper's coming out.

http://www.sodahead.com/living/is-it-important-for-public-figures-to-come-out/question-2772367/

80% of opinions logged with this article support the proposition. As argued very articulately by the US commentator Rick Mercer:

"It's no longer good enough for us to tell kids who are different that it's gonna get better," he said highlighting the number of bullied gay kids who have committed suicide.

"We have to make it better now. That's every single one of us. Every teacher, every student, every adult has to step up to the plate,"

"If you're gay and you're in public life, I'm sorry ... you can't be invisible. Not anymore"

While you are there you might like to add your vote to the 7% supporting the 'No' case.

It's commendable-YES, do I buy it NO!

I can only speak for myself since I do not know the mind of others. I had the chance to come out in 1988, I didn't. My family and friends were the ones I feared loosing. No sports star, actor, or public figure coming out would have ever changed my mind. At the time I knew a few guys who were gay and out, they were also undeniably 'gay'-effeminate, one might say stylish, and all the other cliches we have for overtly gay guys.

When I returned to Australia after living overseas Ian Roberts had retired from rugby and he came out. I eagerly watched him, the documentaries and interviews he had post coming out. It still didn't give me the courage or impetus to do anything I thought would compromise my relationships.

I finally did tell my family and friends I was in love with a man. Most of my family are now cool with it, most of my friends were not. I only have continued contact with one. I don't regret it now, but as I have written on the previous page of postings, the whole coming out saga continues to have conotations of hiding who I really am.
"The most powerful secrets that we as gay men live with aren’t the ones we keep from the outside world. The most powerful secrets are the ones we keep from ourselves. Practically every gay man has his own version of this secret, which we learned to keep while growing up in the closet: the secret fear that, if we were truly known, we would never be loved. But part of what you hoped for was the possibility of being loved as your true self."

I'm just not going to buy into the notion that the coming out of famous people will make it any easier for our young, closeted gay people.

Correz

Correz said on the 18th Jul, 2012

Marc, your honesty in describing your own experiences in coming-out is quite moving. I also understand that each of our stories is unique. However there are some conflicts in how you attempt to link your own experience (which I don't doubt for a minute is legitimate) with a generalized suggestion that the community has no right to expect celebrities to be open about their sexuality because you consider it would have made no difference to you, which can't go unchallenged.

You describe coming-out as requiring courage, which you say that you could not muster for a long time. I agree that coming out requires courage. It does for almost all of us. And courage, which along with integrity, is precisely the thing I think we have a right to expect from Olympians athletes since it reflects the core of the Olympic ideal.

You also say that you avoided coming out because you didn't have the courage to do anything you thought would compromise your relationships. Then you go on to say most of your friends are no longer your friends. I felt so sad in reading that. It fortunately didn't reflect my own coming out experience, but I know it still reflects the experience of many.

The shattering reality here is of course that if our 'friends' can't accept us for who we really are, then are they really the kind of people that we want to have in our lives? Are they really the kind of people who are going to be there for us through the full emotional roller coaster that is life if they can’t support something about us that “just is”?

Family is another matter and I appreciate that we sometimes delay coming-out because of a misplaced sense of responsibility to not knowingly disappoint those who we love. Because we often internalize the lie that our sexuality is wrong and then are persuaded to believe that we have a responsibility to maintain happiness in their lives by living a lie in our own. I'm pleased your family is largely OK with your sexuality now. However it is really important for all of us to understand that if family and friends have a problem with our sexuality; then it is a problem of their own making and not of ours.

Your final quotes, which I recall come from a couple of articles on on-line cruising written by Michael Gross in 2008, hit the button experienced by many of us, particularly in our faltering gay youth, "the secret fear" as you say "that if we were truly known we would never be loved".

But it is exactly because that fear should be exposed as being based upon the incredible lie that is that we should expect celebrities to come out of the closet.

Again, I'm sorry if that was not your experience. I'm sorry if reading about Ian Roberts' coming out didn't help you. It did help me at the time and I know many other gay men my age who felt emboldened & encouraged by Ian's story. Gay men for whom Ian's story did make a real difference.

I'm sorry that your friends - although again I would offer the commentary that perhaps they were never really your friends - deserted you when you admitted you were gay. I'm sorry if you feel that your experience has apparently made you feel that you would have been more loved had you had remained closeted.

It is exactly because we live in a community where that still happens, where many young people cannot see reflections of themselves as successful, happy and gay, that it is important for all gay people, but most particularly influential celebrities and sports people, to be open about who they really are.

But I'm not arguing that anyone should be publicly outed and I've gone on record elsewhere in this thread acknowledging that it may be true that Ian Thorpe is not gay.

However I strongly believe that we have a right to expect, no I will use a stronger world than that, demand honesty from gay athletes, particularly from those who have been publicly funded & who continue to be rewarded beyond the dreams of most ordinary folk.

I am convinced that only good can come from all celebrities being encouraged to be open & honest about their sexuality.

So that all young people can see that it is possible to be strong, successful, happy and gay.

And specifically so that young gay people can see by example that they can be truly known and be loved.

Marc

Marc said on the 18th Jul, 2012

Correz, I really, REALLY appreciate your considered and well articulated thoughts. Please indulge me for but a moment; Lets consider Ian Thorpe and his career. He was already an up and coming swimmer at 14. At 15 he is breaking world records at almost every swim meet, and upon aiming for the Olympics, which he most certainly was encouraged to acheive, he's become the sports star we all know about today. I dare to consider that at 15 years of age Ian barely understood the magnitude of his swimming career and the expectations us Aussies projected on him, let alone the development and cognisance of his own sexuality. Sure, at some point he may have been faced with a dilema to reconcile his public persona and the speculation about his sexuality. He could have simply stated that asking about his sexuality is totally innaporiate, and quite frankly, no ones business. There are other swimmers of the same era whose sexuality has never been the subject of so much speculation, and comensurately, have never been required to answer for it either!

Some have suggested that as a high profile sports identity who receives funding for his career from the public purse, we have a right to know the truth, and to expect honesty and openess from him. I certainly agree. However, my continued objection is the premiss that gay - closetted or otherwise - should be compelled to be public about who they find attractive. What level of personal disclosure is simply too personal?

Barrin

Barrin said on the 18th Jul, 2012

Lets consider Ian Thorpe and his career. He was already an up and coming swimmer at 14. At 15 he is breaking world records at almost every swim meet, and upon aiming for the Olympics, which he most certainly was encouraged to acheive, he's become the sports star we all know about today. I dare to consider that at 15 years of age Ian barely understood the magnitude of his swimming career and the expectations us Aussies projected on him, let alone the development and cognisance of his own sexuality.

That needed to be said. Thorpe's been in the public eye for so long we forget that he was in his mid-teens when he was thrust into the spotlight. It puts a different slant on all this speculation.
I have a vague memory - possibly over ten years ago in the lead up to the Sydney Olympics - that Ian Thorpe was about to make a public announcement... but it never eventuated. I got the impression that he was going to, and wanted to, come out. Something intervened. It has been a managed career. To his credit he hasn't been caught drunk or on drugs or bashing someone up.

Correz

Correz said on the 19th Jul, 2012

I understand that Thorpe has been swimming since his teens and I am not suggesting for a moment that we should have expected a 15 year-old, or even a 20 year-old for that matter, to out themselves, even if they did consider that they were confident of their sexuality. But Thorpe is not 15 any more. He is nearly 30 now and he has lived enough of his life in the public eye to be completely familiar with what is expected of him. If you prefer the term he would well know 'the price of fame'. If Ian was uncomfortable with this bargain then he could have retired gracefully from public life when his first swimming career naturally ended. Instead he has steadfastly held onto a very public life, even going so far as to attempt to unsuccessfully relaunch his swimming career based, entirely as it seems now, on the lure of financial sponsorships. That said Thorpe may not be gay. Smoke does occur infrequently without fire. But if Thorpe is gay, then he is missing a huge opportunity to shine a light for younger gay people who are wondering, exactly as Marc said he did "Will I be loved if they know the truth?".

Dsquare

Dsquare said on the 19th Jul, 2012

And he calls himself an Australian Olympian :rolleyes:

hua052011 said on the 19th Jul, 2012

Hi

This topic help me a lot in developing my project. I will contribute more when I finished it.

iammyexperiment

iammyexperiment said on the 19th Jul, 2012

Agree Thorpe's career has been entirely managed & doubtless remains so to this day. We can be certain that the focus of this advice right now is on management of the brand "Ian Thorpe" and how he can extract maximum financial returns from exercising his brand - rather than his body in the pool.

If he is gay I fully expect that his minders are advising him not to come out, since this may impact his earnings potential in the powerful Asian markets that while they apparently cannot get enough of Ian Thorpe, want nothing to do with Lady GaGa, who - not coincidentally - is arguably currently the most vocal & influential gay rights exponent on Earth.

But while that might explain why Ian is choosing not to come out if he is gay, it certainly doesn't excuse it.

Keeping on with my theme of of TV and Movie references, and adjusting a quote (with apologies to Spiderman) that I recall someone here has used here already:

"With great PUBLIC INVESTMENT & FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY comes GREAT RESPONSIBILITY."

If Thorpie is gay then I expect more of him. Financial advice is just that. It has to be reconciled with our ethical and moral responsibilities.

And I certainly expect more of him than simply giving him a pat on the back because "he hasn't been caught drunk or on drugs or bashing someone up".

chad_74 said on the 19th Jul, 2012

By watching the doco on Ian the other night I was convinced either of the following is true

-the doco was Ian comming out to the public
or
Ian is not gay,he is infact a woman trapped inside a mans body.

Simoneybabe said on the 20th Jul, 2012

Do they make stilletos for size 20 feet?

Dsquare

Dsquare said on the 1st Aug, 2012

Proof he's not gay. Look at the jumper. No gay man would be caught dead in that outfit.

http://www.smh.com.au/olympics/off-the-field/thorpedo-misses-the-medals-as-his-tv-look-baffles-the-brits-20120731-23d57.html

TheOldie

TheOldie said on the 1st Aug, 2012

Proof he's not gay. Look at the jumper. No gay man would be caught dead in that outfit.

http://www.smh.com.au/olympics/off-the-field/thorpedo-misses-the-medals-as-his-tv-look-baffles-the-brits-20120731-23d57.html

fuck that is a shocker !

shazzboy said on the 1st Aug, 2012

Well I regularly wear wife beaters, so I dont think fashion is genetic for poofters.

mark_ said on the 1st Aug, 2012

^
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mMTlxAgJQl4/TXhDTPR_ECI/AAAAAAAAAps/K42FIOoq9WA/s1600/marlon+brando+wife+beater.jpg

Wonderland

Wonderland said on the 1st Aug, 2012

Men who gesticulate are either italian or gay.

iammyexperiment

iammyexperiment said on the 1st Aug, 2012

Wanted to add this opinion piece from ABC's 'The Drum' since it supports the argument that we have a right to expect a lot more of Ian Thorpe:

"Do not be under the illusion that Stephanie Rice volunteered to go to the London Olympics because she wanted to do it for the nation. Or that Ian Thorpe wanted to carry the hopes of the country on his Jacquard jumper. All Olympians and wannabe Olympians do it because it's part of their business plan."

http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4169300.html

Barrin

Barrin said on the 1st Aug, 2012

Wanted to add this opinion piece from ABC's 'The Drum' since it supports the argument that we have a right to expect a lot more of Ian Thorpe:

"Do not be under the illusion that Stephanie Rice volunteered to go to the London Olympics because she wanted to do it for the nation. Or that Ian Thorpe wanted to carry the hopes of the country on his Jacquard jumper. All Olympians and wannabe Olympians do it because it's part of their business plan."

http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4169300.html

Two letters from the paper today also take a harsh view:

What a strange nation is Australia. We put athletes with potential through the Australian Institute of Sport free to them but at great cost to taxpayers while taking huge amounts of money out of the TAFE systems and pushing the ''user-pays'' mantra. We are having to ''import'' skilled workers because of previous downsizing in training institutions by the Howard government while spending an unconscionable amount sending second-rate athletes to the Games. Why do we accept this ratbaggery?

Kate Chivers Epping

Our 47 Olympic swimmers have been funded by the Australian Sports Commission a whopping $657,080 each. Now is the time to commence a HECS-style scheme so taxpayers can see some efficiency dividend.

Lindsay Somerville Lindfield

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/national/letters/neither-earning-their-keep-nor-gracious-in-defeat-20120731-23cyy.html#ixzz22H8RQxM3

What's worse is that it's only because we're not winning medals that these views are getting an airing. :(

dougster

dougster said on the 1st Aug, 2012

sure do simoneybabe. deb, 1 of the trannys who lives up stairs has feet like a draught horse (her words) & shes got stilletos. if its good enuff 4 deb, it should be good enuff 4 thorpedo-ella

dougster

dougster said on the 1st Aug, 2012

the brits r seeing good ol' thorpedo-ella every day on morning tv. apparently their sic 2 death of him. seems his fashion sense is also off. EPIC FAIL on brit tv, EPIC FAIL in the pool, EPIC FAIL in fashion. but at least he's got the legs 2 look good in stilletos.

Dsquare

Dsquare said on the 1st Aug, 2012

So, in the pic in the article I posted this morn, is it only me or does he look a bit "tighter" around the eyes and mouth? Either his face has finally dried out completely from all that chlorine or out little heterosexual has a battle with the botox bitch.

Kaleb

Kaleb said on the 1st Aug, 2012

Or deaf & using sign language:D

pixel said on the 1st Aug, 2012

That's interesting...

but please respect him cos he won lots of golden medal and be proud of him - as we are Australians.

Just leave him alone... let him whatever he wants in his private life.

Wonderland

Wonderland said on the 1st Aug, 2012

Well he's not deaf and he isn't italian..

Matt Akersten

Matt Akersten said on the 14th Aug, 2012

Is Ian Thorpe Gay Yet? Find out here.

http://www.isianthorpegayyet.com/

Anthony Mahera

Anthony Mahera said on the 14th Aug, 2012

I do have respect for Ian, but I'll tell ya what, if the boy does ever come out, I will lose ALL respect for him, completely.

Dsquare

Dsquare said on the 14th Aug, 2012

There was another article in the SMH in the last few days where he was whinging about being called gay again. He mentioned once again how confronting it was for a 15 year old to discover he was a gay icon.

Someone really needs to tell this boy that a questionable closet and a gay icon are not the same thing.

shireboy

shireboy said on the 14th Aug, 2012

There was another article in the SMH in the last few days where he was whinging about being called gay again. He mentioned once again how confronting it was for a 15 year old to discover he was a gay icon.

Someone really needs to tell this boy that a questionable closet and a gay icon are not the same thing.

This was the SMH article that you were referring to
http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/celebrity/it-hurts-that-people-dont-believe-me-20120811-241ge.html

Frankly - and HONESTLY - can we just leave Ian Thorpe ALONE.

What is this obsession with 'knowing' his 'sexuality' ? It's become an obsession for some in the 'media' to go after so many 'gay / supposedly gay' people.

Last night on The Project - Magda Szubanski was on to promote a musical that she will be starring in. Oh... and what was the 'topic' which was mainly discussed ??? Could it be ... OH>>> COMING OUT AND BEING GAY. Yep - the obsession of 'straight' people wanting to know the 'ins and outs' of gay life is truely pathetic. And as such - so are the endless questions being asking about Thorpe. If he is - then so what - and if he is - then again - so what !

marq_au

marq_au said on the 5th Sep, 2012

One thing that annoys me is the way athletes and other famous people are defined by their sexuality. We would never say "openly straight swimmer, Eamon Sullivan" so why "openly gay diver, Matthew Mitchum"? People are much more than their sexuality.

I realise that sometimes there are good political reasons to point out that a high achiever in a certain field is gay, but usually, sexuality is irrelevant.

Much more so is a person's sexual positional preference. That is why I was quite disturbed to read this description used during the London Olympics:

"Peter Modos of Hungary, top, wrestles with Arsen Eraliev of Kyrgyzstan, bottom, during the men’s Greco-Roman 55-kilogram wrestling qualification."

(http://news.ripley.za.net/2012/08/top-stories/uks-ainslie-most-decorated-sailor-2)

I think that goes too far!

The_Freak

The_Freak said on the 5th Sep, 2012

"Io sono gay, sweetie darling" :D:D

http://www.mikesfreegifs.com/main4/miscellanious/aslang1.gif

MrAsh said on the 5th Sep, 2012

If Mr Thorpe is gay, it's entirely up to him whether he comes out or not. Yet I doubt he will be respected by many Australian GLBTIQ people after all these years of rumours and denials if he ever comes out.

dougster

dougster said on the 5th Sep, 2012

come out ian man. and bang that closet door shut dude. LOL

mark_ said on the 1st Nov, 2012

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/classic/midday/201211/miv-2012-11-01.mp3

^ I forced myself to listen to this interview because most of Ian's public statements over the last 15 years have been painfully defensive. And the interviewer, Margaret Throsby, always makes me cringe with her relentless, surgical prodding.

Ian doesn't reveal much other than saying he was last in love with an 'unnamed, ungendered person' back in 2006.

His choice of music included that happy memory of Sydney Olympics' lighting of the cauldron flame~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeBmRF674gE

JayTee

JayTee said on the 2nd Nov, 2012

Did anyone watch the Ian Thorpe interview in The Project tonight?

He was quite bizare. Obviously the chlorine has greatly affected his sense of social per droog, he was making non sensical jokes the whole way thru and when the panel tried to get him to go along with a joke about the size of Mens feet, he completely baulked.

It's difficult to believe he's a 30 yr old man.

Also I note he had some funny eyelids. Bad cosmetic surgery?

mark_ said on the 2nd Nov, 2012

^
It wasn't really an interview. Ian was competing against five jokers who'd say anything to get a laugh.

chad_74 said on the 3rd Nov, 2012

Perhaps if Ian was seen about town with a woman apart from his mother the rumours will stop. Eamon sullivan can handle himself thorpe should just man up or fruck off.

JarrodJ

JarrodJ said on the 3rd Nov, 2012

^ Another example of the fact that even if he is gay, I doubt he'd feel the need to come out in order to be part of this "community".

chad_74 said on the 3rd Nov, 2012

Is Ian thorpe the new "derek"from the catherine tate show?

wysi

wysi said on the 3rd Nov, 2012

ian thorpe would be better off pursuing a career in the UK.

aussies are just too tall-poppy-syndrome-afflicted to let him fully flourish here. ;)

JayTee

JayTee said on the 3rd Nov, 2012

Ian thorpes problem is that he doesn't realize that his glory days are over.

Swimming is all he has been good at. He was never particularly interesting outside of that - no matter how hard he tried.

At least Hackett beat up his wife and thus remained more relevant to main stream Australians.

Much better for him to do a dawn Fraser and retire from public life apart from a few mid morning ads aimed at oldies.

JayTee

JayTee said on the 3rd Nov, 2012

But there are rumors (in the press) that he is broke and thus needs a comeback in order to live the life he has become accustomed to.

crazzymikey

crazzymikey said on the 3rd Nov, 2012

the guy makes shit loads of money to be a role model. If he is ever found out to be gay I wont be singing his praises and no I am not buying he is straight.

crazzymikey

crazzymikey said on the 3rd Nov, 2012

Ian thorpes problem is that he doesn't realize that his glory days are over.

Swimming is all he has been good at. He was never particularly interesting outside of that - no matter how hard he tried.

At least Hackett beat up his wife and thus remained more relevant to main stream Australians.

Much better for him to do a dawn Fraser and retire from public life apart from a few mid morning ads aimed at oldies.

oh sweety he designs underwear for men. lol :D

chad_74 said on the 3rd Nov, 2012

Thorpe did lose all his money...He would be bankrupt right now if it wasnt for the generosity of Gail Kelly(Westpac) writing off his debts.Which were a few million.

If Ian had a brain he would embrace the gay community and use it to his advantage as others like kylie minogue have done.

JarrodJ

JarrodJ said on the 3rd Nov, 2012

He doesn't make money "to be a role model". He makes lots of money and he is a role model to many, but he isn't making money being a role model.

I was watching Lana Wachowski's speech at the HRC recently and she referred to there being a responsibility to her to "come out" and be public about her situation.
I thought about this and I disagree.

I don't think that public figures who happen to be part of hte LGBT community (or any other community) have a responsibility to be open and public about everything. These are still real people with real lives and real desires for privacy etc. Now I'm not saying that they can't do a lot of good in being public, But I don't think it's a responsibility on their behalf to do it.

How about a responsibility on the LGBT community to understand that we all have our own story, our own set of circumstances and our own reasons for coming out when/where/how we do, without judgement?

I've said it before and I'll say it again, but if Ian Thorpe came out publicly tomorrow it'd be met with eye rolls, snark and probably a lot of indignation.

If Ian Thorpe was gay, would you rather him view the community as one who understood that everyone needs to come out in their own time (if in fact he wasn't out to family and friends anyway) or view the community as one who are desperate to drag him out of the closet kicking and screaming?

crazzymikey

crazzymikey said on the 3rd Nov, 2012

He doesn't make money "to be a role model". He makes lots of money and he is a role model to many, but he isn't making money being a role model.

I was watching Lana Wachowski's speech at the HRC recently and she referred to there being a responsibility to her to "come out" and be public about her situation.
I thought about this and I disagree.

I don't think that public figures who happen to be part of hte LGBT community (or any other community) have a responsibility to be open and public about everything. These are still real people with real lives and real desires for privacy etc. Now I'm not saying that they can't do a lot of good in being public, But I don't think it's a responsibility on their behalf to do it.

How about a responsibility on the LGBT community to understand that we all have our own story, our own set of circumstances and our own reasons for coming out when/where/how we do, without judgement?

I've said it before and I'll say it again, but if Ian Thorpe came out publicly tomorrow it'd be met with eye rolls, snark and probably a lot of indignation.

If Ian Thorpe was gay, would you rather him view the community as one who understood that everyone needs to come out in their own time (if in fact he wasn't out to family and friends anyway) or view the community as one who are desperate to drag him out of the closet kicking and screaming?

bullshit - he is paid by sponsors to be a role model for their brands and australian olympics people pay and support him to be a role model along with all our athletes. why do you think the government invest millions in our athletes.

anyways the topic came up again otherwise I dont care but when he does come out I wont be proud of him

JarrodJ

JarrodJ said on the 3rd Nov, 2012

bullshit - he is paid by sponsors to be a role model for their brands and australian olympics people pay and support him to be a role model along with all our athletes. why do you think the government invest millions in our athletes.

anyways the topic came up again otherwise I dont care but when he does come out I wont be proud of him

You do realise that getting paid to endorse something is different to being a role model?

Ian Thorpe may be a role model to young people, but that is because of his success.
He also may get paid a million dollars to endorse McDonalds.

Obviously the fact that he is a role model to people has an impact of the endorsements that he gets, but he isn't being paid by anyone "to be a role model".

crazzymikey

crazzymikey said on the 3rd Nov, 2012

You do realise that getting paid to endorse something is different to being a role model?

Ian Thorpe may be a role model to young people, but that is because of his success.
He also may get paid a million dollars to endorse McDonalds.

Obviously the fact that he is a role model to people has an impact of the endorsements that he gets, but he isn't being paid by anyone "to be a role model".

defend him all you want blah blah - there are plenty of young GBLTI offing themselves they need role models. SO sick of this selfish attitude

JayTee

JayTee said on the 3rd Nov, 2012

You do realise that getting paid to endorse something is different to being a role model?

Ian Thorpe may be a role model to young people, but that is because of his success.
He also may get paid a million dollars to endorse McDonalds.

Obviously the fact that he is a role model to people has an impact of the endorsements that he gets, but he isn't being paid by anyone "to be a role model".

But he wouldn't bet endorsements unless he WAS a role model.

Notice how many endorsements Hackett has gotten since he destroyed his ex wifes piano?

I'm with crazy Mikey. So many teens still committing suicide because their life is so difficult. Constant harassment at school, no support at home, and a society that says it's ok to treat gay people as less than.

And yet we have people that could change homophones minds about what it is to be gay, about what is possible to achieve if you are gay. (some of those people are more relevant to the school yard than others)

and yet those people are too wrapped up in their own search for pots of gold to give a F about those teens.

JayTee

JayTee said on the 3rd Nov, 2012

How about a responsibility on the LGBT community to understand that we all have our own story, our own set of circumstances and our own reasons for coming out when/where/how we do, without judgement?

Yes but some reasons are alot more valid than others.

Even someone from your point of view would have to acknowledge that some reasons are completely ridiculous.

If any reason was valid that would justify a homophobe beating up gbtiq people, or passing laws that discriminate against them because "they have their own story, own set of circumstances and their own reasons" for doing what they do and we should accept them without judgement.

My arse without judgment! There is right and there is wrong. This idea of complete tolerance of anything is a myth.

And it's dangerous.

JarrodJ

JarrodJ said on the 4th Nov, 2012

Young LGBTQI kids are killing themselves partially because they feel they don't belong.
Sure, someone like Ian Thorpe coming out (if he was gay) would make a small percentage of them feel better about themselves.

But seeing you people denigrate someone who isn't gay, and who has denied being gay, and is still insulted and accused of being gay based on "how they act" may kinda make a young LGBTQI person feel a little scared of this place.

JarrodJ

JarrodJ said on the 4th Nov, 2012

You make this post assuming that you know Ian Thorpe is gay?

Yepppp

Yepppp said on the 4th Nov, 2012

The reason Ian's sexuality is always talked about is the fact that he is "Gayer than xmas" (source: Ive sucked a lot of cock) and he denies it.

You also just have to look at some basics how does he get to his age and not even been with a steady female companion, while the rest of his swim team are married with kids, I could go on and on but won't.

You've all covered this, ie his life is his life and he can do what he likes, but there is no doubt that had he come out in his prime (if he is gay) it would have made a huge impact for young GLBt and even if this saved just ONE person from suicide then I struggle with the value of a single sponsorship dollar.

Barrin

Barrin said on the 4th Nov, 2012

Young LGBTQI kids are killing themselves partially because they feel they don't belong.
Sure, someone like Ian Thorpe coming out (if he was gay) would make a small percentage of them feel better about themselves.

But seeing you people denigrate someone who isn't gay, and who has denied being gay, and is still insulted and accused of being gay based on "how they act" may kinda make a young LGBTQI person feel a little scared of this place.

Overt displays of sexuality can reinforce some teens sense of isolation. I was told years ago by a nurse who worked in emergency that there's an increase in suicides during Mardi Gras.
There's also far more out people on TV, films and in sport than there was 10 or 20 years ago. It's reached the point where almost every TV show, fiction or reality, has a token gay person. Role models? We're in danger of becoming a cliche.
Singling out one person who's been in the public glare since his own youth is trivialising the serious issue of teen suicide.

Yepppp

Yepppp said on the 4th Nov, 2012

Ian Thorpe has a power over the Australian people and is famous worldwide, there is no doubt that if he was to use his powers for good they would have a profound impact, gay or not!!!!!!!! this is in no way trivialising teen suicide.

crazzymikey

crazzymikey said on the 4th Nov, 2012

ha ha yeah the same was said of ricky martin and many others and I always spotted them and the gay rumour mill is usually always right

melsby

melsby said on the 4th Nov, 2012

You also just have to look at some basics how does he get to his age and not even been with a steady female companion, while the rest of his swim team are married with kids, I could go on and on but won't.

I've never had a steady boyfriend, does that mean I'm not gay?

Honestly though I dont really see the point of questioning someones sexuality unless your physically interested in them the situation occurs where you can act upon it

I suppose this is just another thing I dont understand about society, why celebrities personal lives are so important
I can understand it to an extent in regards to politicians, they are people we are 'supposed' to trust, though I do think the media tends to blow things way out of proportion at times

Getting off topic, so anyway, if he wants to sleep with women then its no concern of anyone else other than his self and the person who he is sleeping with

Asherbella

Asherbella said on the 4th Nov, 2012

If Ian says he isn't gay then at face value we must either believe him or doubt him.
He may be gay but not ready to come out, he may not be ready, willing or able to be a 'role model' for the gay commmunity.
He's suffered from alcohol abuse and depression, probably from issues surrounding being perceived as gay when he isn't or he might be bisexual and not ready to face the stigma that comes along with that. Ian Thorpe might be straight. I don't care.
I came out in 1997 because Ellen DeGeneres inspired me to when she came out. I was ready. We can't judge Ian for not being ready about the issue of being open about his sexuality because he's gone on record as having said he isn't gay. It's no-one's business. Coming out is a personal issue for every individual and he now has a book to sell. Good on him.
On a personal level there is something I find about Ian that is unsettling. I can't put my finger on it but I think his book 'This Is Me' will set the record straight about the personal demons he's been battling with over the years.
Perhaps some gay men want Ian to be gay because they need a role model to look up to or they find him sexually attractive. Maybe Ian has reached a point where he wants to return to being a private citizen now he's written his book (with help) and will live out his days as a single man and neither confirm or deny rumours of his sexuality. You can't live Ian's life on his behalf and at the end of the day he's the one that has to look at himself in the mirror.

Asherbella

Asherbella said on the 4th Nov, 2012

If Ian says he isn't gay then at face value we must either believe him or doubt him.
He may be gay but not ready to come out, he may not be ready, willing or able to be a 'role model' for the gay commmunity.
He's suffered from alcohol abuse and depression, probably from issues surrounding being perceived as gay when he isn't or he might be bisexual and not ready to face the stigma that comes along with that. Ian Thorpe might be straight. I don't care.
I came out in 1997 because Ellen DeGeneres inspired me to when she came out. I was ready. We can't judge Ian for not being ready about the issue of being open about his sexuality because he's gone on record as having said he isn't gay. It's no-one's business. Coming out is a personal issue for every individual and he now has a book to sell. Good on him.
On a personal level there is something I find about Ian that is unsettling. I can't put my finger on it but I think his book 'This Is Me' will set the record straight about the personal demons he's been battling with over the years.
Perhaps some gay men want Ian to be gay because they need a role model to look up to or they find him sexually attractive. Maybe Ian has reached a point where he wants to return to being a private citizen now he's written his book (with help) and will live out his days as a single man and neither confirm or deny rumours of his sexuality. You can't live Ian's life on his behalf and at the end of the day he's the one that has to look at himself in the mirror.

JayTee

JayTee said on the 4th Nov, 2012

If Ian says he isn't gay then at face value we must either believe him or doubt him.
He may be gay but not ready to come out, he may not be ready, willing or able to be a 'role model' for the gay commmunity.
He's suffered from alcohol abuse and depression, probably from issues surrounding being perceived as gay when he isn't or he might be bisexual and not ready to face the stigma that comes along with that. Ian Thorpe might be straight. I don't care.
I came out in 1997 because Ellen DeGeneres inspired me to when she came out. I was ready. We can't judge Ian for not being ready about the issue of being open about his sexuality because he's gone on record as having said he isn't gay. It's no-one's business. Coming out is a personal issue for every individual and he now has a book to sell. Good on him.
On a personal level there is something I find about Ian that is unsettling. I can't put my finger on it but I think his book 'This Is Me' will set the record straight about the personal demons he's been battling with over the years.
Perhaps some gay men want Ian to be gay because they need a role model to look up to or they find him sexually attractive. Maybe Ian has reached a point where he wants to return to being a private citizen now he's written his book (with help) and will live out his days as a single man and neither confirm or deny rumours of his sexuality. You can't live Ian's life on his behalf and at the end of the day he's the one that has to look at himself in the mirror.

Firstly I'm not attached to Ian Thorpe in the slightest.

Secondly, he's has not returned to being a private citizen (releasing a book about ones life is quite the opposite).

He is back in training for the rio olympics.

At $100,000 a year in training fees picked up by the tax payers, none of which is returned in th form of HECS fees like every other professional who has attended higher education, I think we are more than entitled to expect something in return towards the improvement of society for our troubles.

Otherwise what is the point of sport? Particularly sport that doesnt generate any money for the funders. At least the football codes generate a profit and aren't funded by taxpayers.

badamj2000

badamj2000 said on the 4th Nov, 2012

OMG, is Ian Thorpe gay?

Asherbella

Asherbella said on the 4th Nov, 2012

The bottom line is this: Ian Thorpe has to live his own life. Nobody can put words into his mouth and if he is gay and is hiding that fact it's not a crime. He's entitled to say what he likes. He's an adult. He doesn't owe anything to anybody and only Ian Thorpe has to live with his own conscience - not us. If he's ashamed of being gay he needs help. If Ian's straight, then all the people who didn't believe him owe him an apology. Maybe Ian is bisexual. Whatever his sexuality, I'm over it.

MrAsh said on the 4th Nov, 2012

Ash, I think a lot of people are over Ian Thorpe.

Barrin

Barrin said on the 4th Nov, 2012

I'm wondering what you mean by 'power' and how much is supposed to rest in the hands of one person past the peak of their sporting success?

On the other hand, we have some power here on an internet message board to show tolerance and empathy to teens who might find their way here. Is there much of it on this thread? Or these two?

http://www.samesame.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=28726&highlight=xfactor

http://www.samesame.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=28679&highlight=brother

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