Lesbians and Gays and Sports (Issues in Gay & Lesbian Life)

Gr. 8^-12. Part of the Issues in Lesbian and Gay Life series, this volume touches on a broad range of topics. In addition to a look at the closeted world of professional football and the macho mystique, the author dedicates a chapter each to baseball, tennis, and the Olympics. The obligatory biographies--Kopay, Tilden, King, Navratilova, etc.--are here, as is a tribute to Tom Waddell, the "father" of the Gay Games, and there is a particularly insightful discussion of the "L" word and the crippling effect it has had on women's athletics. Sadly, though the final chapter presents an upbeat look at gay alternatives, most of the news in professional athletics is not good. At times, the book has a bitter edge, and at others, it seems to be more about the valor of coming out than about heroics on the playing field. Nevertheless, this is important information for young people to have, especially young gay and lesbian athletes. Further reading list appended. Jeanne Triner