A Gay Gymnast's Stggle To Come Out To His College Coach | HuffPost Voic

Contents:

• FOR GAY OLYMPIC GYMNAST DOMIC CLARKE, G OUT ALLOWED HIM TO SHE TOKYO
• JOSH DIXON, OLYMPICS GYMNASTICS HOPEFUL, COM OUT AS GAY
• GAY OLYMPIC GYMNAST DOMIC CLARKE STRS VISIBILY AFTER G OUT
• A GAY GYMNAST'S STGGLE TO COME OUT TO HIS COLLEGE COACH
• FOR GAY OLYMPIC GYMNAST DOMIC CLARKE, G OUT ALLOWED HIM TO SHE TOKYO
• 8 TOTALLY RAD 1980S FNS HUNKS WHO TOTALLY MA US GAYIN HONOR OF CHET OM "AHS: 1984," WE SALUTE THE SPORTY VTAGE BEEFK WHO DOMATED THE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY LTER FABIAN BRATHWAESEPTEMBER 24, 2019/10:43 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:2640PX;WIDTH:3840PX;}MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIV/GETTY IMAGLOS ANGELES - MAY 1979: ATRIAN BODYBUILR AND ACTOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER HIS SWIMMG POOL WH HIS GIRLIEND MARIASHRIVER MAY 1979 LOS ANGEL, CALIFORNIA. (PHOTO BY MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIV/GETTY IMAG)BY LTER FABIAN BRATHWAESEPTEMBER 24, 2019 / 10:43 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"8 TOTALLY RAD 1980S FNS HUNKS WHO TOTALLY MA US GAY","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2019-09-24T14:43:07.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2019-09-24T14:43:07.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"LTER FABIAN BRATHWAE","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WATCHG G KENWORTHY AND HIS PERM PEEL OFF HIS TANK TOP LAST WEEK'S PREMIERE OF AMERIN HORROR STORY: 1984 MA ME FEEL A LOT OF THGS. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT'S WHERE I KEEP MY GAY CHILDHOOD MEMORI. ALL THAT AEROBICIZG, SHORT-SHORT WEARG, AND HEFTY MTACHE-G REALLY FLOOD MY BASEMENT. WH NOSTALGIA! AND THAT'S WHEN I GOT TO THKG ABOUT THE HUNKS OF THE 1980S WHO HELPED HER MY NASCENT QUEER SELF OUT OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE MCLEBOUND DUS GAVE ME AN UNREALISTIC BODY IMAGE AND NFIRMED WHAT ALL THE KIDS WERE SAYG ABOUT ME ANYWAY: I WAS ED A HOMO. WHILE BROOKE MAY HAVE NEVER SEEN A BODY LIKE CHET'S, I'M A NNOISSR ON SUCH MATTERS. SO E WH ME ON A STRIPPED-DOWN, OILED-UP TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE AS I LOOK BACK AT EIGHT RETRO HUNKS WHO TOTALLY MA ME—AND MAYBE EVEN YOU—{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A.C. SLATER (A.K.A. MAR LOPEZ){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FIRST, A DISCLOSURE: I ADM THAT SOME OF THE DUS ARE PROBLEMATIC, HAVG MA "HURTFUL" REMARKS ABOUT TRANS KIDS AND THEIR PARENTS OR ENDORSG THE WORST PRINT EVER, BUT THE '80S WERE A SIMPLER TIME. PEOPLE STILL BELIEVED DONALD TMP WAS A SUCCSFUL BSMAN, MAR LOPEZ WAS GETTG PORTED THANKS TO BEA ARTHUR, AND LOU FERRIGNO WAS A NOT-SO-JOLLY GREEN GIANT. AFTER HIS MEMORABLE GUT APPEARANCE ON GOLN GIRLS, LOPEZ WENT ON TO STAR SAVED BY THE BELL AS GOOD-NATURED MISOGYNIST A.C. SLATER, A WRTLER WHO ALSO HAPPENED TO BE A DANCER, AFFORDG MULTIPLE SCEN OF HIM A SGLET OR TIGHTS. GOD, I MISS THE '{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOLPH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOLPH LUNDGREN IS 6-FOOT-5, SPEAKS SIX LANGUAG, HAS A MASTER'S GREE CHEMIL ENGEERG, IS A THIRD-GREE BLACK BELT KARATE, AND SPE THE ENDG OF ROCKY IV, HE H SYLVTER STALLONE SO HARD DURG FILMG HE PUT THE ITALIAN STALLN THE HOSPAL. OH, AND HE DATED GRACE JON. LIKE, WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CARL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CARL WEATHERS SHOULD REALLY HAVE BEEN A BIGGER ACTN STAR. WH A BODY FED BRONZE, A LANTERN JAW, AND ONE OF THE STURDIT MTACH OF THE (BEFORE HE SADLY SHAVED OFF), HE SHARED THE SCREEN WH THE TWO BIGGT ACTN HERO OF HIS OR ANY DAY: SYLVTER STALLONE THE ROCKY MOVI AND ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER PREDATOR. THE ARM-WRTLG HANDSHAKE OM THE LATTER SPIRED A GENERATN OF GAY WET DREAMS. WEATHERS, HOWEVER, DID HAVE HIS OWN STARRG VEHICLE, 1988'S ACTN JACKSON, FEATURG FORMER PRCE PROTéGéE VANY AND A PRE-BASIC INSTCT SHARON STONE, WHICH AT LEAST GAVE A UPLE OF REQUISE SHIRTLS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JEAN-CL VAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE MCL OM BSSELS WAS A FORMER BALLET DANCER AND HAD THE GLUT TO PROVE . AND, BOY, DID HE LOVE TO PROVE . AFTER PLAYG THE UNFETTABLE ROLE OF "GAY KARATE MAN" THE 1984 SHORT FILM MONA FOREVER, JCVD KICKED AND SPL HIS WAY TO SUPERSTARDOM 1988'S BLOODSPORT AND THE SIARLY THEMED KICKBOXER THE FOLLOWG YEAR. BUT HE WOULD NEVER TOP THE TRICY AND PROFUNDY OF GAY KARATE MAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LOU {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER FIVE SEASONS AS THE INCREDIBLE HULK, FERRIGNO TOOK HIS IMPRSIVE PHYSIQUE TO A TR OF ITALIAN SWORD-AND-SANDAL EPICS THAT WERE SENTIALLY MCLE PORN: 1983'S HERCUL AND THE SEVEN MAGNIFICENT GLADIATORS, FOLLOWED BY THE 1985 HERCUL SEQUEL, THE ADVENTUR OF HERCUL. THEY ALL FEATURED A DUBBED FERRIGNO, WHO LOST HIS HEARG AS A KID, VAR STAT OF UNDRS, SLATHERED BABY OIL, FLEXG, AND PERFORMG LUDICROLY AMAZG FEATS OF STRENGTH. THEY ARE BOTH THE WORST AND BT FILMS YOU ULD POSSIBLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SYLVTER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SLY STALLONE IS STILL DISTURBGLY RIPPED AT 73 AND STILL SHG ON HIS NSIRABLE '80S CHET—BACK THEN, HE WAS ONE OF THE BIGGT STARS ON THE PLA. WHETHER HE WAS SHIRTLS AND SWEATY RAMBO OR RAMBO III, OR SHIRTLS AND SWEATY ROCKY II OR RAMBO IV, OR SEQUED AND GED WH DOLLY PARTON RHTONE, THE ITALIAN STALLN WAS GIVG THE GAYS EVERYTHG THEY NEED. ALSO, THE TRAG MONTAGE OM ROCKY III IS THE GAYT THG TO CREEP TO A MAJOR MOTN PICTURE THAT . AND FOR THAT, I SAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ARNOLD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ME TO THE BOX OFFICE AND MOVIE-STAR PHYSIQUE, SLY'S BIGGT PETN WAS FORMER BODYBUILR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, WHO ROSE TO SUPERSTARDOM AFTER 1984'S THE TERMATOR. BUT WAS HIS WORK 1982'S CONAN THE BARBARIAN AND MY PERSONAL FAVE, 1984'S CONAN THE DTROYER (ALSO STARRG DOLPH'S GIRLIEND GRACE JON), THAT REALLY FAGGED ME UP. TO THIS DAY, A MAN A LOCLOTH AND HORNED HELMET ALWAYS REVS MY ENGE. THOUGH ARNIE'S FIRST APPEARANCE AS THE TERMATOR, NAKED A STORM OF LIGHTNG, IS STILL ONE OF THE HOTTT SCEN CEMATIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE AMERIN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FUN STORY: YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY UGHT MY TRIBUTE TO HOW AMERIN GLADIATORS MA ME GAY AS A KID, TIED TO THE SHOW'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY. NRO (Né DAN CLARK) SHARED , WHICH I THOUGHT WAS REALLY OL SCE, YOU KNOW, STRAIGHT MEN N BE REAL PROBLEMATIC AROUND GAY SH. I GAVE HIM A SHOUT-OUT FOR NOT BEG HOMOPHOBIC, THE BAR BEG EXCEPTNALLY LOW 2019, AND HE RPOND WH THE FOLLOWG:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"MY SON IS GAY, MY LTLE SISTER IS GAY. MAK NO DIFFERENC THE AMOUNT OF LOVE I HAVE FOR THEM. WE ARE ALL HUMANS. WE ARE ALL THIS JOURNEY TOGETHER. AND MANY OF WEAR SPANX ALONG THE WAY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOW IF THOSE AREN'T WORDS TO LIVE BY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• A GAY GYMNAST'S STGGLE TO COME OUT TO HIS COLLEGE COACH

FOR GAY OLYMPIC GYMNAST DOMIC CLARKE, G OUT ALLOWED HIM TO SHE TOKYO

I fd athlet all sports and all shap and siz to be hot, but there is somethg llectively about gymnasts that has a wow is one openly gay male gymnast, Jefey Wamm of the Netherlands.

Update: Add two photo of Danell Leyva, an Amerin gymnast who won two silver medals and who also is very gay-supportive, wearg a "Make Ameri Gay Aga" T-shirt June. Openly gay New Zealand Olympic rower Robbie Manson (left) wh his brother Karl, also a rower.

JOSH DIXON, OLYMPICS GYMNASTICS HOPEFUL, COM OUT AS GAY

Across our culture today, when a man “ out” so many immediately label him “gay gay gay!

That Leyva don’t intify as gay, is still tryg to figure out how exactly he intifi, and is still willg to share all of this publicly should be empowerg to other men who are the same boat. Weeks before the 2016 printial electn, he shared a msage of support for LGBTQ people, and trans rights particular, while wearg a “Make Ameri Gay Aga” T-shirt. The men the sports are eher largely assumed to be gay, or their sexualy is unknown.

Women face the same issu, but reverse: Ice hockey and softball players are assumed gay, figure skaters and gymnasts assumed straight. In the sports where athlet are assumed to be “gay, ” the prsure on athlet is to rist that label so they don’t nform to people’s assumptns.

GAY OLYMPIC GYMNAST DOMIC CLARKE STRS VISIBILY AFTER G OUT

The attus — that some sports are “gay” and some are “straight” — are changg, but they n’t change fast enough.

A GAY GYMNAST'S STGGLE TO COME OUT TO HIS COLLEGE COACH

But the way I look at , sometim you jt have to let the gay out. For gay Olympic gymnast Domic Clarke, g out allowed him to she Tokyo.

FOR GAY OLYMPIC GYMNAST DOMIC CLARKE, G OUT ALLOWED HIM TO SHE TOKYO

Domic Clarke had a ‘gay old time’ beg himself at the Olympics once he embraced who he was. I was posed and peted thentilly and led me to be Domic Clarke, Olympic Falist and Proud Gay Olympian.

I was havg a gay old time. Growg up, I was one of those kids who was untentnally and unapologetilly gay. Before I had time to explore who I was I heard ments like, “You’re a gymnast, you mt be gay” or “Isn’t that for girls?

” or “You have to wear a leotard, that’s so gay.

8 TOTALLY RAD 1980S FNS HUNKS WHO TOTALLY MA US GAYIN HONOR OF CHET OM "AHS: 1984," WE SALUTE THE SPORTY VTAGE BEEFK WHO DOMATED THE {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}LIFEBY LTER FABIAN BRATHWAESEPTEMBER 24, 2019/10:43 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:2640PX;WIDTH:3840PX;}MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIV/GETTY IMAGLOS ANGELES - MAY 1979: ATRIAN BODYBUILR AND ACTOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER HIS SWIMMG POOL WH HIS GIRLIEND MARIASHRIVER MAY 1979 LOS ANGEL, CALIFORNIA. (PHOTO BY MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIV/GETTY IMAG)BY LTER FABIAN BRATHWAESEPTEMBER 24, 2019 / 10:43 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"8 TOTALLY RAD 1980S FNS HUNKS WHO TOTALLY MA US GAY","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2019-09-24T14:43:07.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2019-09-24T14:43:07.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"LTER FABIAN BRATHWAE","ARTICLESECTN":"LIFE"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WATCHG G KENWORTHY AND HIS PERM PEEL OFF HIS TANK TOP LAST WEEK'S PREMIERE OF AMERIN HORROR STORY: 1984 MA ME FEEL A LOT OF THGS. {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THAT'S WHERE I KEEP MY GAY CHILDHOOD MEMORI. ALL THAT AEROBICIZG, SHORT-SHORT WEARG, AND HEFTY MTACHE-G REALLY FLOOD MY BASEMENT. WH NOSTALGIA! AND THAT'S WHEN I GOT TO THKG ABOUT THE HUNKS OF THE 1980S WHO HELPED HER MY NASCENT QUEER SELF OUT OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE MCLEBOUND DUS GAVE ME AN UNREALISTIC BODY IMAGE AND NFIRMED WHAT ALL THE KIDS WERE SAYG ABOUT ME ANYWAY: I WAS ED A HOMO. WHILE BROOKE MAY HAVE NEVER SEEN A BODY LIKE CHET'S, I'M A NNOISSR ON SUCH MATTERS. SO E WH ME ON A STRIPPED-DOWN, OILED-UP TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE AS I LOOK BACK AT EIGHT RETRO HUNKS WHO TOTALLY MA ME—AND MAYBE EVEN YOU—{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}A.C. SLATER (A.K.A. MAR LOPEZ){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FIRST, A DISCLOSURE: I ADM THAT SOME OF THE DUS ARE PROBLEMATIC, HAVG MA "HURTFUL" REMARKS ABOUT TRANS KIDS AND THEIR PARENTS OR ENDORSG THE WORST PRINT EVER, BUT THE '80S WERE A SIMPLER TIME. PEOPLE STILL BELIEVED DONALD TMP WAS A SUCCSFUL BSMAN, MAR LOPEZ WAS GETTG PORTED THANKS TO BEA ARTHUR, AND LOU FERRIGNO WAS A NOT-SO-JOLLY GREEN GIANT. AFTER HIS MEMORABLE GUT APPEARANCE ON GOLN GIRLS, LOPEZ WENT ON TO STAR SAVED BY THE BELL AS GOOD-NATURED MISOGYNIST A.C. SLATER, A WRTLER WHO ALSO HAPPENED TO BE A DANCER, AFFORDG MULTIPLE SCEN OF HIM A SGLET OR TIGHTS. GOD, I MISS THE '{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOLPH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}DOLPH LUNDGREN IS 6-FOOT-5, SPEAKS SIX LANGUAG, HAS A MASTER'S GREE CHEMIL ENGEERG, IS A THIRD-GREE BLACK BELT KARATE, AND SPE THE ENDG OF ROCKY IV, HE H SYLVTER STALLONE SO HARD DURG FILMG HE PUT THE ITALIAN STALLN THE HOSPAL. OH, AND HE DATED GRACE JON. LIKE, WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CARL {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CARL WEATHERS SHOULD REALLY HAVE BEEN A BIGGER ACTN STAR. WH A BODY FED BRONZE, A LANTERN JAW, AND ONE OF THE STURDIT MTACH OF THE (BEFORE HE SADLY SHAVED OFF), HE SHARED THE SCREEN WH THE TWO BIGGT ACTN HERO OF HIS OR ANY DAY: SYLVTER STALLONE THE ROCKY MOVI AND ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER PREDATOR. THE ARM-WRTLG HANDSHAKE OM THE LATTER SPIRED A GENERATN OF GAY WET DREAMS. WEATHERS, HOWEVER, DID HAVE HIS OWN STARRG VEHICLE, 1988'S ACTN JACKSON, FEATURG FORMER PRCE PROTéGéE VANY AND A PRE-BASIC INSTCT SHARON STONE, WHICH AT LEAST GAVE A UPLE OF REQUISE SHIRTLS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}JEAN-CL VAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE MCL OM BSSELS WAS A FORMER BALLET DANCER AND HAD THE GLUT TO PROVE . AND, BOY, DID HE LOVE TO PROVE . AFTER PLAYG THE UNFETTABLE ROLE OF "GAY KARATE MAN" THE 1984 SHORT FILM MONA FOREVER, JCVD KICKED AND SPL HIS WAY TO SUPERSTARDOM 1988'S BLOODSPORT AND THE SIARLY THEMED KICKBOXER THE FOLLOWG YEAR. BUT HE WOULD NEVER TOP THE TRICY AND PROFUNDY OF GAY KARATE MAN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}LOU {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER FIVE SEASONS AS THE INCREDIBLE HULK, FERRIGNO TOOK HIS IMPRSIVE PHYSIQUE TO A TR OF ITALIAN SWORD-AND-SANDAL EPICS THAT WERE SENTIALLY MCLE PORN: 1983'S HERCUL AND THE SEVEN MAGNIFICENT GLADIATORS, FOLLOWED BY THE 1985 HERCUL SEQUEL, THE ADVENTUR OF HERCUL. THEY ALL FEATURED A DUBBED FERRIGNO, WHO LOST HIS HEARG AS A KID, VAR STAT OF UNDRS, SLATHERED BABY OIL, FLEXG, AND PERFORMG LUDICROLY AMAZG FEATS OF STRENGTH. THEY ARE BOTH THE WORST AND BT FILMS YOU ULD POSSIBLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SYLVTER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SLY STALLONE IS STILL DISTURBGLY RIPPED AT 73 AND STILL SHG ON HIS NSIRABLE '80S CHET—BACK THEN, HE WAS ONE OF THE BIGGT STARS ON THE PLA. WHETHER HE WAS SHIRTLS AND SWEATY RAMBO OR RAMBO III, OR SHIRTLS AND SWEATY ROCKY II OR RAMBO IV, OR SEQUED AND GED WH DOLLY PARTON RHTONE, THE ITALIAN STALLN WAS GIVG THE GAYS EVERYTHG THEY NEED. ALSO, THE TRAG MONTAGE OM ROCKY III IS THE GAYT THG TO CREEP TO A MAJOR MOTN PICTURE THAT . AND FOR THAT, I SAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ARNOLD {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ME TO THE BOX OFFICE AND MOVIE-STAR PHYSIQUE, SLY'S BIGGT PETN WAS FORMER BODYBUILR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, WHO ROSE TO SUPERSTARDOM AFTER 1984'S THE TERMATOR. BUT WAS HIS WORK 1982'S CONAN THE BARBARIAN AND MY PERSONAL FAVE, 1984'S CONAN THE DTROYER (ALSO STARRG DOLPH'S GIRLIEND GRACE JON), THAT REALLY FAGGED ME UP. TO THIS DAY, A MAN A LOCLOTH AND HORNED HELMET ALWAYS REVS MY ENGE. THOUGH ARNIE'S FIRST APPEARANCE AS THE TERMATOR, NAKED A STORM OF LIGHTNG, IS STILL ONE OF THE HOTTT SCEN CEMATIC {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE AMERIN {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}FUN STORY: YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY UGHT MY TRIBUTE TO HOW AMERIN GLADIATORS MA ME GAY AS A KID, TIED TO THE SHOW'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY. NRO (Né DAN CLARK) SHARED , WHICH I THOUGHT WAS REALLY OL SCE, YOU KNOW, STRAIGHT MEN N BE REAL PROBLEMATIC AROUND GAY SH. I GAVE HIM A SHOUT-OUT FOR NOT BEG HOMOPHOBIC, THE BAR BEG EXCEPTNALLY LOW 2019, AND HE RPOND WH THE FOLLOWG:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"MY SON IS GAY, MY LTLE SISTER IS GAY. MAK NO DIFFERENC THE AMOUNT OF LOVE I HAVE FOR THEM. WE ARE ALL HUMANS. WE ARE ALL THIS JOURNEY TOGETHER. AND MANY OF WEAR SPANX ALONG THE WAY."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}NOW IF THOSE AREN'T WORDS TO LIVE BY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

I spent a lot of time fendg myself and my sport to protect the tegry of other male athlet I traed wh, but dog so I was lyg to myself by repeatedly sayg I wasn’t gay. I remember the p my stomach that I would get every time someone asked me if I was gay, and the sharp pa I would feel when I lied.

While I n see why lots of heterosexual boys don’t want to have an inty phed on them that many nsir taboo, the rult is that creat an unrlyg homophobia for many the sport. The only openly gay sports role mols I saw on Atralian TV were Ji Wallace, who won silver 2000 the trampole, and Matthew Mcham, who won a divg gold 2008. Even though I was fortably out wh certa people, I never wanted to me known as a “gay gymnast.

A GAY GYMNAST'S STGGLE TO COME OUT TO HIS COLLEGE COACH

It uld be as simple as tattoos or piercgs for some judg, and I thought beg gay uld be a negative as well. I was openly gay socially wh my fay and close iends. Beg the only gay guy a boy’s club environment is tough.

There were only so many tim I uld put up wh teammat or ach sayg homophobic slurs before started affectg my mental health.