World Pole Vault Champ Shawn Barber Announces He is Gay

Ben L Wrong wrote:

Yawn wrote:

Perhaps a big deal to Barber and to a decreasing percentage of the public. But not a big deal to most of us. That's progress.

It's a big deal because there are 77 countries

Where homosexuallity is a crime. And Barber competes overseas.

1) How many of those countries host track meets?

2) How many of those countries ignore the law?

Proud of blonde hair wrote:

Wtfunny wrote:

For the same reason I'm proud of who I am. Or my parents are proud of me. There's nothing untoward in being proud of oneself.

You'd rather he announce that he's ashamed of being gay?

I think people are referring to the need for pride to play a part. It's just something that "is". It's not an accomplishment after years of hard work.

How many centuries did the greater culture foster shame for this same thing? And now you suggest people have no right to claim pride? That's insane. I see American citizens talk about how proud they are to be American every week. Where's your outcry over this?

Can you find the Diamond League country?

In 13 countries, being gay or bisexual is punishable by death. These are; Sudan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Mauritania, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Qatar, UAE, parts of Nigeria, parts of Somalia, parts of Syria and parts of Iraq.

In 17 countries, bans are in place to prohibit 'propaganda' interpreted as promoting LGBT communities or identities. These are; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Somalia, Tunisia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lithuania and Russia.

Kind of surprised tbh. Not that it matters, he just didn't strike me as gay. Usually when people come out its like "ahhh, that makes sense"

Also, i tried really hard to think of a good choke about choking at/on pole at the olympics but it just wasn't comin. Anyways good on him. Coming out would be a tough moment regardless of what people say.

luv2run wrote:

Ben L Wrong wrote:

It's a big deal because there are 77 countries

Where homosexuallity is a crime. And Barber competes overseas.

1) How many of those countries host track meets?

2) How many of those countries ignore the law?

Have you heard of Uganda? They just hosted a minor IAAF event.

Is anyone supposed to care about this? Are we supposed to pin a gold merit star to his shirt?

cool.good for him.

wtfunny wrote:

Proud of blonde hair wrote:

I think people are referring to the need for pride to play a part. It's just something that "is". It's not an accomplishment after years of hard work.

How many centuries did the greater culture foster shame for this same thing? And now you suggest people have no right to claim pride? That's insane. I see American citizens talk about how proud they are to be American every week. Where's your outcry over this?

So? Unless you were there you can't be too offended if it's no longer directed at you.

Not sure about your use of outcry. I'm just mildly noting a fact. Those Americans who are proud are more often than not, morans.

Left handed people were once treated very poorly. Should I be proud of being left handed and start marches for lefties?

If you know Shawn barber personally you know this is the most shocking news ever... no one who knows him believes it. If anything he's bisexual

Yes, and Im going to have Press Conference announcing that I'm selecting Vanilla Ice Cream over Chocolate.

Who gives a flying rip!!!! Honestly

How's his vaulting going is all i care about - personal l;ife non of my damn business!

Well duh.. isn't it a prerequisite to do field events of chucking big bronzed balls and running around with long stiff poles to be gay.

Well duh.. isn't it a prerequisite to do field events of chucking big bronzed balls and running around with long stiff poles to be gay.

Star wrote:

At some point an announcement like this would nothing at all.

Like saying you prefer blondes or black chicks.

uh uh uh!! Did he say? Yeah! Yeah! BLACK CHICKS! UH! UH!

luv2run wrote:

Ben L Wrong wrote:

It's a big deal because there are 77 countries

Where homosexuallity is a crime. And Barber competes overseas.

1) How many of those countries host track meets?

2) How many of those countries ignore the law?

1. Russia hosts track meets. Russia doesn't ignore the law.

How did he get off with that story? You do not get cocaine in your blood stream by kissing.

No wonder the sport is filled with cheaters.

Bleu wrote:

How did he get off with that story? You do not get cocaine in your blood stream by kissing.

No wonder the sport is filled with cheaters.

He got off because he had a threesome. Of course cocaine can be passed by kissing. People rub it on their gums.

You are wrong.

http://health.blurtit.com/47622/can-cocaine-enter-a-persons-who-is-cleansystem-through-pores-kissing-sexual-contact-ectc

Nice peer reviewed article. lol.