Coming Out  ... Swoops Says She's 'Still Sheryl'

Giovanni Rosendo, associate editor

I’m sure we’ve all heard the astonishing news about our fair lady “coming out of the closet.”

If not, then you can’t sense sarcasm and don’t know about Sheryl Swoopes.

It’s about time that she publicized her sexual orientation.  But why?  Does it matter?

I’ve had the opportunity to read an article provided by Swoopes in ESPN The Magazine, found on ESPN.com.  She gives an autobiography leading up to now and explains what she hopes for by making this big decision.

“My biggest concern,” Swoopes said, “is that people are going to look at my homosexuality and say to little girls – whether they’re white, black, Hispanic – that I can’t be their role model anymore.”

The sad thing is that she might be correct.

Devoted Swoopes fans already had a clue that she was gay and didn’t take this as much of a surprise, unlike with George Takei, who played Sulu on “Star Trek.”

Ignorance is bliss I suppose.

Why would you want your kids, nephews, nieces, and others to look up to a gay basketball player?  Heaven forbid you allow them to like her because of her mad basketball skills. 

What if they looked up to her?  Would they turn gay too?

Preposterous.

“Being gay has nothing to do with the three gold medals or the three MVPs or the four championships I’ve won,” said Swoopes, a former South Plains College standout.  “I’m still the same person.  I’m still Sheryl.”

 Swoopes, who played for the Lady Texans from 1989 to 1991 and helped them to 52 victories in two seasons, is embracing that which most people spend a lifetime trying to hide from.

She is a black, female, basketball player who happens to be gay.  Which minority category would you chose for her?

I say none.

Why can’t we appreciate Swoopes for being who she is?  Isn’t being human enough?

She already has her ex-husband, son, and other family members to worry about disappointing.  Why does the public have to point out her faults or lifestyle choice as well?

Public interest, I think not.  It’s not our business.

Swoopes has accepted the opportunity to be the spokesperson for Olivia, a gay cruise line.  She took a cruise with her partner, Alisa Scott, and afterward was approached by the CEO of the cruise line and asked to be a spokesperson.

She mentioned that when she signed the cruise line’s guestbook, she didn’t even think about other people seeing her name down as a lesbian.

Though this is only the beginning for Swoopes’ change, she is a very intelligent person and knows how to defend herself.