Support of Gay Rights in Pro Cycling?

[Thorn Cycling]

I've done a fair amount of research online, but can't seem to find anything about opinions on LGBT rights in the pro peloton. I know that a few top riders (like Arndt and Obree) have come out and know that many of the pro's in my area support equal rights, but have not been able to find any information on whether most pro cyclists support gay rights or not. Can anyone provide any information on this? It would be greatly appreciated as a junior aiming for the top level in cycling.

Thanks!!!
Thorn Cycling

 

[RedheadDane]

Well...

LGBT flag:

Cycling World Champion jersey:

In all seriousness though I guess it's pure coincidence, and I really don't know about the level of support of the LGBT community in pro-cycling.

 

[summerhill]

I seem to recall Taylor Phinney tweeting in support of the New York State Marriage Equality Act last year.

 

[Master50]

I have never heard of any talk in the men's peloton but I have heard a lot of it from the women's. I.E. I have never heard men say XYZ is Gay. At women's races I hear it a lot. So and So is gay or some more subtle word. Is so and so hitting on me? So I get a sense the women identify the team they play on but I can't say is affects the way they race or even get along
I think it is pretty much a non issue.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Why do they have to outright support it????

 

[BroDeal]

Doesn't everyone look fruity enough in lycra? How much more can we be expected to do?

And WTF does "LGBT rights in the pro peloton" mean?

 

[Thorn Cycling]

thanks for the responses everyone! much appreciated. Especially to Master50, as the fact that it's a non-issue is exactly what i was hoping for.

Aus, Brodeal, you guys misunderstood what I meant (my fault really, rereading what I wrote I would have jumped to the same conclusion.) What I meant is if a gay or bi person was to manage to get to the pro or elite level, would they be accepted without problems, or would other riders be more "ehhh" around them and not want to ride in front of them, be on the same team on them, etc. Sorry for writing the question badly ://

 

[auscyclefan94]

thanks for the responses everyone! much appreciated. Especially to Master50, as the fact that it's a non-issue is exactly what i was hoping for.

Aus, Brodeal, you guys misunderstood what I meant (my fault really, rereading what I wrote I would have jumped to the same conclusion.) What I meant is if a gay or bi person was to manage to get to the pro or elite level, would they be accepted without problems, or would other riders be more "ehhh" around them and not want to ride in front of them, be on the same team on them, etc. Sorry for writing the question badly ://

Fair enough. I think they would hardly treat gay or bi people any differently to other people. When I competed in sport or was in a change room before sport, you don't think about someone's sexuality whatsoever.

 

[Cykelbloggar]

I don´t think there is a issue among pro cyclist, much because they are pretty liberal in their mind. And I don´t think they have given it so much thought about it. As simple as it´s =)

//Fritz

 

[burning]

I dont think that If there are any LGBT riders in cycling, they would be treated badly

I am against giving special attention to them though

 

[auscyclefan94]

I dont think that If there are any LGBT riders in cycling, they would be treated badly

I am against giving special attention to them though

I agree with that large comment especially. I think trying to make a too large of an effort to an accept gay or bi-sexual people can almost alienate them or make them feel extra special, which they aren't. Just treating them like normal members of society is the best way to support equal rights.

 

[The Howling Fantods]

If you look at how many pro cyclists there are, statistically, gay cyclists must exist. And, if cycling is anything like most sports, their team mates know and do not care (I know for a fact that there is at least one gay Bulldogs NRL player in Sydney).

That said, as in everyday life, there are going to be people who are hostile.

 

[simo1733]

"gay Bulldogs". I've heard it all now.

 

[Afrank]

I think I read somewhere that Tomasz Marczynski was gay, but I could be wrong about that.

In a sport like cycling though I don't think anyone really cares that much, it's not a sport like football or basketball where riders have locker rooms and shower together after a race. Plus it's a team sport, you have to work with your team throughout the year and beyond unless you move to a new team so alienating someone on the team would be a bad thing to do. You want to have a friendly relationship with the guys on your team so they will help you in races.

 

[Thorn Cycling]

Thanks for the great responses everyone, exactly what I was hoping the answer would be.

and I agree about the overdoing/special attention it thing. Equal rights are, well, equal. overdoing it causes it not to be equality anymore.

 

[rhubroma]

Cycling in Italy is a sport that still exists in a post-war social mentality, for which culture and tradition are sacred. In fact many cyclists, to whom discipline and sacrifice are the order of the day, come from working class, provincial backgrounds, still largely influenced by Catholicism. They have been weened, so to speak, on cycling and Catholicism. There is even a Catholic sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna, protectress of cyclists, in the north.

Under these circumstances, I don't think your average gay Italian cyclist is going to find much of an outlet. In fact the environment is pretty macho and homophobic.

 

[summerhill]

Sexuality should be an irrelevance as a cyclist. And I'm sure younger North European and/or English speaking riders are likely reflective of their more liberal societies - but they're not the whole peloton.

Being closeted can be oppressive - and some straight people just don't get that. Steven Davies, the first professional cricketer to come out, said: 'It's something I've lived with for a long time. Although I feel it is the right time. I am nervous about coming out. Who wouldn't be? 'It's the biggest decision I've had to face, and by far the toughest - bigger even than facing Brett Lee in the middle. 'If I am brutally honest, I've never enjoyed touring because of my secret and having to conceal my sexuality. My friendships with the guys would reach a certain level, then I'd have to take a step back. 'A two-week tour would feel like two years for me. It was really tough. Cricket was my escape. When I was playing cricket I was at my happiest because all I had to worry about was getting runs and taking catches.'

Equality would be when a gay cyclist can be as open and proud of his partner/family and talk of them as readily as Cavendish does of Peta Dodd, Bradley does of Cath and Cadel of Chiara. And equality would be when there's an out gay cyclist as proud of his sexuality as Orlando Cruz or Matthew Mitcham. We're not there yet. But good luck.

 

[maltiv]

And to Howling Fantods I'd say If you look at how many pro cyclists there are, statistically, straight cyclists must exist.

That makes no sense, though.

 

[Polyarmour]

1/. If you're still thinking about sex you're not training hard enough.
2/. A bunch of skinny guys who shave their legs are bound to be reasonably open minded.

 

[runninboy]

I agree with that large comment especially. I think trying to make a too large of an effort to an accept gay or bi-sexual people can almost alienate them or make them feel extra special, which they aren't. Just treating them like normal members of society is the best way to support equal rights.

Great comment and spot on. We had a transsexual cyclist(male to female) in Socal, she raced cat 3 and masters. She was a nice person, never asked for special treatment and everyone treated her nice, but pretty much the same as any other woman racing with the men. We didn't avoid the issue, but it rarely came up because it just didn't matter.

Skinny guys who shave their legs and wear lycra are pretty Ok with their own sexuality and pretty accepting of others. IME.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Great comment and spot on. We had a transsexual cyclist(male to female) in Socal, she raced cat 3 and masters. She was a nice person, never asked for special treatment and everyone treated her nice, but pretty much the same as any other woman racing with the men. We didn't avoid the issue, but it rarely came up because it just didn't matter.

Skinny guys who shave their legs and wear lycra are pretty Ok with their own sexuality and pretty accepting of others. IME.

Thanks. I personally think that in many respects, the gay lobby has it wrong when campaigning for equality and lack of discrimination towards gays.

 

[runninboy]

Thanks. I personally think that in many respects, the gay lobby has it wrong when campaigning for equality and lack of discrimination towards gays.

I worked for years in an industry where gays far outnumbered straight males and there was considerable debate between them as far as the correct political approach. By and large the older gays especially ones in long stable relationships just wanted to be treated like everyone else. The younger ones were very concerned about getting into peoples faces and "demanding respect" or acknowledgment. The funny thing is how everything politically is lumped together under LGBT. I remember my co workers talking and these groups do not get along in the slightest. Gays had nothing but disdain for Lesbians and vice versa, Bisexuals were always told to "pick a side and get over it" and ALL of them hated on the transsexuals. Just sad. Politically much is made about discrimination by the straight community but in reality some of the worst discrimination occurs within the gay community itself.

 

[summerhill]

That makes no sense, though.

Yes, sorry it's ridiculous.

 

[nvpacchi]

Cycling in Italy is a sport that still exists in a post-war social mentality, for which culture and tradition are sacred. In fact many cyclists, to whom discipline and sacrifice are the order of the day, come from working class, provincial backgrounds, still largely influenced by Catholicism. They have been weened, so to speak on cycling and Catholicism. There is even a Catholic sanctuary dedicated to the Madonna, protectress of cyclists, in the north.

Under these circumstances, I don't think your average gay Italian cyclist is going to find much of an outlet. In fact the environment is pretty macho and homophobic.

This

Sport is always late to the party in terms of social conventions and norms

 

[Thorn Cycling]

I worked for years in an industry where gays far outnumbered straight males and there was considerable debate between them as far as the correct political approach. By and large the older gays especially ones in long stable relationships just wanted to be treated like everyone else. The younger ones were very concerned about getting into peoples faces and "demanding respect" or acknowledgment. The funny thing is how everything politically is lumped together under LGBT. I remember my co workers talking and these groups do not get along in the slightest. Gays had nothing but disdain for Lesbians and vice versa, Bisexuals were always told to "pick a side and get over it" and ALL of them hated on the transsexuals. Just sad. Politically much is made about discrimination by the straight community but in reality some of the worst discrimination occurs within the gay community itself.

I know it's that way in many areas, but not all. In the region I live, at least, Gays and Lesbians get along fairly well (on the most part), Bisexuals (at least from what I've seen, I'm still in the closet there, a closet filled with fabulous team skinsuits and kits ) are normally told to pick a side more by straight people than Gays and Lesbians, and Transgender people are accepted fairly well by a fair amount of the LGB community. It might just be my area (three big college towns in an otherwise mostly conservative state), but what you're saying is still not true everywhere. But I do agree about the political approach part.