Gay pioneers get screwed.
I don't mean today's pioneers, like Neil Patrick Harris, who definitely still deserve credit for their courage and vision. No, I mean the early early pioneers: the gay folks were often the very first to be out and proud in their particular field.
Think about it: Harvey Milk was assassinated, pioneering film director Christopher Larkin killed himself, and pioneering pop singer Steven Grossman and Gay Games founder Tom Waddell died of AIDS.
Add to that list of gay pioneers another name: Glenn Burke, the first openly gay Major League baseball player who came out in 1982 after basically being hounded out of his profession, only to see his life descend into a nightmare of prison and AIDS.
It's very small consolation, but at least Burke is now the subject of a fascinating new documentary Out: The Glenn Burke Story that tells his story and finally recognizes his incredible achievements.
I don't mean today's pioneers, like Neil Patrick Harris, who definitely still deserve credit for their courage and vision. No, I mean the early early pioneers: the gay folks were often the very first to be out and proud in their particular field.
Think about it: Harvey Milk was assassinated, pioneering film director Christopher Larkin killed himself, and pioneering pop singer Steven Grossman and Gay Games founder Tom Waddell died of AIDS.
Add to that list of gay pioneers another name: Glenn Burke, the first openly gay Major League baseball player who came out in 1982 after basically being hounded out of his profession, only to see his life descend into a nightmare of prison and AIDS.
It's very small consolation, but at least Burke is now the subject of a fascinating new documentary Out: The Glenn Burke Story that tells his story and finally recognizes his incredible achievements.
- 11/9/2010
- by Brent Hartinger
- The Backlot
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