I have had 116 hits on my blog over the past 2 days from people searching some variant of "is Dara Torres gay?"
People, who the fuck cares? She's an incredible athlete, a dedicated mother, and a passionate woman... To me, those things are so much more interesting than her sexual orientation... No? Why is it so important to you whether she's a lesbian?
14 comments:
If it just denoted an interest in all things sex, I might consider these questions natural. I mean, most of us spend a good part of each day thinking about sex anyway, right? But I don't think people are this curious about all the athletes' private lives - and we have quite a history in this country of claiming that any assertive or active woman must be gay. I think it is an intimidation tactic of sorts, although it is one that wouldn't work anymore if people would just stop acting like being a lesbian were somehow shameful.
Habladora, I completely agree. She's fit, athletic, AND assertive? She must be gay!
...Or not
I think it is also symptomatic of inappropriately masculinising accomplishments like this.
On the WTF? front I'll quote T.R. Knight, on interest in his sexuality "I really hope that isn't the most interesting thing about me.
Not only this but the media is going crazy over men's swimming results yet not over women fencing who won gold medals - we haven't won gold in that catergory in a LONG time.
Give props to the women fencers!
- Brandi
Should have clarified - that's 2 olympics in a row the women fencers won gold!
B
I think that's only because no one really cares about fencing, even if the men were to win it. I mean, you haven't seen anyone comment on the US gold medal in double trap shooting either.
I think, unfortunatly, this is the thought process for many people "Wow, she's beautiful, toned, dedicated, ambitious, and doing things that NO ONE ever thought possible. That's just not normal, I wish I could find something wrong with her. I know! She must be gay. That's why I cant get my lazy butt into shape, I'm not gay." A rationalization to help people who can't just respect and admire her for what's she's doing accept the unbelievable.
Not to take anything away from the women's fencers, but the men's swimming hype is well deserved. Phelpes is just destroying records left and right(and I wonder how many people have searched the internet trying to find out if he has a girlfriend).
~Mc
Mc, and not to mention he's fucking gorgeous... drooooooooool ;)
Ok I'm glad it is OK to drool over people because while reading both entries related to her all I could think was "That's the hottest middle aged woman since Shirley manson."
Also, Galina check your email. This reminded me you'd appreciate seeing pictures of the wedding of my friends Tara and Arsine that I attended this weekend.
I think it's because people find her attractive. Heck, I do.
But then again, I don't really care if she's homosexual or not. Doesn't change my opinion that she's an incredible woman.
Strong woman, achiever, assertive, muscles, short hair, hellooooo? Sorry, stereotypes persist. I'm waiting, waiting, waiting for this to change. Argh.
While I agree with the above comments on the problematic aspects of all this, I'm also thinking that, maybe, lesbians and other queer people are just looking for good role models, such as queer athletes, with whom they can identify.
The fact that she is an incredible athlete, dedicated mother, and passionate woman is exactly why people would like to know whether she is a lesbian. If she were, she would be an amazing role model for the gay/lesbian community.
We are at a time right now when the gay/lesbian community needs strong and successful individuals to speak out for rights. It is crucial.
Anon and Sarah, i completely agree with you and if i thought people were searching for her for that reason, i wouldn't blink an eye. But i feared that it wasn't the reason people were so interested in her sexual orientation.
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