Tadd Fujikawa - Coming out as Gay in Golf

[golfnhack]

http://www.golfchann...a-comes-out-gay

 

A prior thread was locked. The title was sarcastic, and obviously there were tasteless comments that followed.

 

BUT.... it is wrong NOT to have a thread discussing his decision. It would be the equivalent of locking a thread about experiencing sexual harassment or racism in the golf industry. Fujikawa's decision to come out publicly is a brave action in a sport where the topic of being gay is taboo. Is this site really going to brush it under the rug, rather than allow open discussion about a VERY important issue. Last I checked the rules, sex and religion were reasons for locking threads. Sexuality IS NOT Sex. This is also not about Tadd himself and his decision to come out. It is much bigger than that. He did not come out for the personal attention. He came out to highlight and issue.

 

I understand mods moderating tasteless comments and opinions, but there should be an active thread to discuss the issue, whether it be this one or another.

[MattyO1984]

Yeah this is going to get locked down so quick.

 

It's a shame really, a board full of adults not being allowed to discuss a matter such this. From what I have seen no one has posted immature or thoughtless comments about it. It would be nice if the mods explained why they are shutting them down.

[gatorpedsMD]

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/are-there-gays-players-on-the-pga-tour-brandt-snedeker-says

 

Sneds being the classy dude he always is on the issue!

[CasualLie]

What is the "issue" under discussion? I mean, in terms of golf? I agree, thread shouldn't be locked, mods can just delete the juvenile comments, but let's see the thread die of lack of interest because really what is there to see here?

 

Nothing against Tadd, but he's not exactly breaking down barriers and inspiring others while floundering on the McKenzie Tour.

 

Best of luck to him in life...golf on the big stage may not be part of that equation.

[golfnhack]

https://www.golfdige...t-snedeker-says

 

Sneds being the classy dude he always is on the issue!

 

That was from 2014. An open invitation, yet players were/are too scared.

[PostandGhost]

To me this is a non-story. Several former and current LPGA players are out. Pro golf has been very friendly to the LBGTQ community. Live and let live. No big deal.

[gatorpedsMD]

CKim on the LPGA TOUR:

 

https://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/her-new-book-iswinging-my-heelsi-christina-kim-dishes-life-love-and-l-word-lpga-tour

[Hawkeye77]

http://www.golfchann...a-comes-out-gay

 

A prior thread was locked. The title was sarcastic, and obviously there were tasteless comments that followed.

 

BUT.... it is wrong NOT to have a thread discussing his decision. It would be the equivalent of locking a thread about experiencing sexual harassment or racism in the golf industry. Fujikawa's decision to come out publicly is a brave action in sport where most of his peers are openly conservative Republican, and where the topic of being gay is taboo. Is this site really going to brush it under the rug, rather than allow open discussion about a VERY important issue. Last I checked the rules, sex and religion were reasons for locking threads. Sexuality IS NOT Sex. This is also not about Tadd himself and his decision to come out. It is much bigger than that. He did not come out for the personal attention. He came out to highlight and issue.

 

I understand mods moderating tasteless comments and opinions, but there should be an active thread to discuss the issue, whether it be this one or another.

 

Politics are a reason and not tolerated at all. Couching the discussion in terms of being "brave" because "most of his peers are openly conservative Republican" is making political commentary and assumptions.

 

I'm petty darn conservative and couldn't care less what someone's preferences are, ethnic background is, etc. - you paint with the broad brush and I think that's unfortunate - can of worms, IMO.

[Oldboy]

I'd disagree slightly.. I'd say being the first tour professional golfer to come out is fairly significant.. and then it shouldn't be.. there's always a first

[golfnhack]

To me this is a non-story. Several former and current LPGA players are out. Pro golf has been very friendly to the LBGTQ community. Live and let live. No big deal.

 

On the LPGA yes... but not on the PGA or European Tour.

[drake47]

Good for Tadd, it can't be easy not being yourself.

 

Also pretty sad this has to be moved to the "Cooler" section.

[rainkingjr]

Just play golf. I certainly do not care about anyone else's sexual orientation. Everyone is welcome at my dinner table. With that being said, I don't really see it as an important issue. People need to just live their lives and get off of the social justice warpath about anything and everything.

 

Thought I'd also add that I am a Republican, Go figure OP.

[golfnhack]

CKim on the LPGA TOUR:

 

https://www.golf.com...-word-lpga-tour

 

Did she come out as gay, or was she just commenting on the issue? It is interesting that she said that about 10% of the LPGA tour players are gay. Even if half that number translates to the PGA tour... there are a lot of players afraid to come out.

 

Because there’s never been an honest, open discussion about lesbianism on tour, it has become a source of fascination among many golf fans — and especially male reporters — who have only heard various rumors and innuendo.

 

Contrary to what many people think, we are not the Lesbians Playing Golf Association. By my count there are no more than two dozen gay women playing the tour right now. Considering there are 230 active members, you’re only talking about 10 percent of the players, which from everything I’ve read is in line with the population as a whole.I understand that thanks to Howard Stern and Internet porn many guys are keenly interested in girl-on-girl action, but to every player I know the issue is just not that big a deal. There are no super-freaky homophobes out here or militant man-haters. At most, a player’s sexuality may be an occasional practice-round conversation piece:

“Hey, did you hear that so-and-so likes girls?” “Really? Huh. So, did you hit an 8-iron or a 9?”

[Hawkeye77]

Unfortunately, OP couches this post in political terms: "Fujikawa's decision to come out publicly is a brave action in sport where most of his peers are openly conservative Republican, and where the topic of being gay is taboo."

 

​There is so much wrong with that statement and it's politically charged commentary.

 

Plenty of us conservatives out there who are gender/ethnic/race/whatever neutral, so to speak, just doesn't matter to me. And plenty of "liberal Democrats" out there who are plenty homophobic.

 

No point painting with the broad brush and labelling which is what OP is doing.

 

Politics, for obvious reasons, is probably the biggest reason for locking threads.

[The General]

Yeah not sure what there is to discuss. He's gay, so what. What people do in their private life is their business. More importantly, can he play and is he still gaming a Circle T? if so, we need pics.

[Bye]

Much respect to him for this. It’s not a subject that is talked about much in the men’s game. If this helps 1 person then even better.

 

 

[BNGL]

Huh good for him I guess, it'll only be an issue if he starts getting token exemptions into events. But I doubt it, Tadd is a good guy and a good player (played a couple events on FPGT I think, maybe Florida Elite). Best of luck to him

[aknow]

Why does anyone care about his or her sexual proclivities? Why does it matter?

[McCann1]

I’ve known Tadd for a long time, and we always knew. He didn’t have to say anything. We practiced together a little today and everybody has been giving him words of encouragement after coming out. He’s a great guy.

[Hawkeye77]

1. The topic of being gay is not "taboo" in golf, it just so happens it just isn't that big of a deal.

 

2. OP making much more out of this than it is or needs to be.

 

3. If he chooses to announce his orientation that's up to him, but it isn't like it is necessary.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

Hate to say it but wrx moderation is unfortunately overly heavy handed. Ruining the open dialog on another topic worthy of discussion.

[BMC]

Never heard of him. Don't care about his choices in life. Not even thread worthy.

 

C Kim link was entertaining though.

[golfnhack]

Why does anyone care about his or her sexual proclivities? Why does it matter?

 

We don’t care about his sexuality. We care about the fact he had the courage to talk about it and that he is the first golfer of note to do so.

[Golfjack]

Society has come a long way in acceptance, but seeing that golf in general was slow to even include women in clubs, this is not as easy as some may think. Good for him, it's not easy as he puts himself out to be judged by people who don't know him, but it's all for the better.

[BiggErn]

Why does anyone care about his or her sexual proclivities? Why does it matter?

 

Exactly. While many people might not agree with that lifestyle I don’t think many really care. Someone announcing their sexuality nowadays is usually just a ploy for attention and to put their name out there. Be with who you want, nobody cares just don’t blame every personal failure on “other things”.

[wattage]

I do think his statement is remarkable, worthy of comment, and probably does break barriers for many golfers. Golf is such a traditional and conservative sport; players get slammed when their comments are provocative in any way. I am somewhat surprised it took this long for a tour player to come out publicly. I don't care what tour he plays on, If a young golfer sees Tadd standing up and encouraging them to be themselves within this game, that is a good thing.

 

The 'what's the big deal, who cares,why does it matter' comments I understand on the surface. But that really doesn't acknowledge what a source of stress, anxiety or shame it can be to feel like one has to hide who they are, or fake to conform in such a traditional realm.

 

I belong to a club that doesn't discriminate on any front, and has a number of gay members- I'm proud of that and feel it is good for the game we love.

[rockinar]

Not sure why this has to be announced. I could see if maybe you were Matthew McCounehey and TMZ was about to out you with pictures of you locking lips with some dude.

 

The Vet I take my dgs to is gay. Shes never told me and never anounced it. I just know. Im sure everyone around Tad already knew.

[seve1972]

Why does anyone care about his or her sexual proclivities? Why does it matter?

 

We don’t care about his sexuality. We care about the fact he had the courage to talk about it and that he is the first golfer of note to do so.

 

TF is “of note”??????

[mshills]

Good for him.

 

I think it's great that in the space of less than one generation, we've gone from where it was thought to be weird or wrong to be gay, to where it's thought to be weird or wrong to have a problem with someone's orientation.

[trlgolf]

I see it as sort of a non-issue but good for him, I'm sure it takes a lot of courage.