Swoopes Comes Out—Is It a Big Deal?

Three-time Olympic gold-medalist, three-time WNBA MVP, and four-time WNBA champion Sheryl Swoopes recently told ESPN The Magazine is a lesbian who has been in a committed relationship with another woman for years. While I commend Swoopes for coming out, she is neither the first professional athlete to do so, nor the best-known. (That title still belongs to Martina.)

Still, I think Swoopes's story is interesting for two reasons: 1) Homosexuality is often talked of as either a genetic trait or a chosen "lifestyle." Swoopes contends that she has not always been a lesbian, nor does she suggest that she chose to be attracted to women. Maybe Swoopes's case will enable us to have a more honest discussion about sexual orientation.

2) Swoopes has an eight-year-old child from a previous, heterosexual relationship. This situation is not uncommon. As long as homosexuality is considered by some prominent voices (especially in the church) moral depravity, gay and lesbian persons will try to deny their sexuality, sometimes even marrying persons of the opposite sex and having children. Discussions of homosexuality and "family values" need to take into account homosexual parents of biological children.

I'm still waiting for a high-profile male athlete to come out.