Helena Brewers first baseman David Denson came out last week, making him the first active player affiliated with a Major League Baseball team to come out as openly gay.
His teammates are supportive of him and his decision to come out, saying his sexuality has nothing to do with his ability to play baseball. However, how is the community, a primarily conservative town, reacting to this news?
I asked a sample of people three questions:
1. What do you think of David Denson coming out?
2. Do you agree or disagree with his decision to come out?
3. Will this impact your decision to attend future games?
Surprised by the results, I found that only a handful of people disagreed, whether for personal or religious reasons, of Denson's decision to come out. These are some of their answers.
“So overall I'd say that
him coming out has no [impact] on me. I just hope that his teammates don't
treat him any differently...In the end it's not hurting me so why should
I let it stop me from going to watch a baseball game?”
(Age 16)
“That is so cool! Him
coming out breaks the stereotype that gay men have
to be into ‘girly things.’ What worries me [is if] his teammates feel
uncomfortable around him. Being gay doesn't change a thing about him. I
do agree with him coming out because, as a gay male myself, I know how hard it is
to come out and he deserves to be true to himself along with others that love
him.” (Age 17-26)
"Although I find it brave
that he would come out in a typically heterosexual male dominated environment, I
think that "coming out" is something that shouldn't have to happen. If
he plays good baseball, who cares who he looks at as a potential life partner?"
(Age 17-26)
"I don't care about him
coming out one way or the other. I agree as long as his intent is not to cause
a political and social circus. Too many times society has jumped on one
bandwagon or another in order to oppress a group for having an opinion. I'm
sure this is not his intent, I just hope the media doesn't turn it into a circus.
Coming out should be as innocent as saying I like Jeep over Ford. It's a
preference. Whether I agree or not I will respect their choice and hope they do
the same for me." (Age 27-36)
“Our sex lives are supposed to be private. It is the very nature of a healthy sexual relationship to share something privately between only your partner and yourself. I feel that whether you were announcing that you're gay or straight that you are involving the public in your private affairs, often with a goal of drawing attention to, or seeking approval of, your choices.” (Age 27-36)
"The world is dark and full of sin, all I can do is pray for his salvation, but this will not impact my decision to attend future games." (Age 37-47)
“My thoughts are quite simple. I don't care who anyone sleeps with. Stay out of my bedroom and I will stay out of everyone else's. However, I won't go to a game, I love baseball and the Brewers, but when they start playing more politics and less baseball I quit. I pay to watch a baseball game not to see who's sleeping with who.” (Age 37-47)
“I do not feel that it matters how I, or anyone else, feels about this decision. The only person to whom it should matter is David Denson. David made a very personal choice to share a part of who he is with Helena and I feel that as long as he is comfortable with his decision what should it matter to me or anyone else?” (Age 37-47)
"I disagree with his decision to come out because I am against homosexuality, and it will impact my decision to attend future games." (Age 37-47)
“I'm glad that people can finally do this. My grandpa was a pro-baseball player in the 40's-50's and I can't imagine this happening then. While I applaud him for making a huge step for coming out while in the public eye, it makes me sad for those that don't have a name to fall back on, but if it weren't for those in the public eye that came out, we'd still be stuck in the 40's.” (Age 37-47)
“I have no ill feelings or excited feelings. Love isn't about proving to everyone else, it's about being real with who you are. Loving another human being, purely and honestly is what should be the focus. To judge for loving is a sheer contradiction. Whomever he chooses to love is his choice and not mine. This is not a matter of agree or disagree, it is a matter of choosing not to judge. The beauty here is choice; choice without judgment is love. His choice on who he loves has as much bearing on my attendance at a Brewers game as his choice between steak, chicken or tofu. So in cliff notes version, nope. I will attend the games when I can score a ticket and/or have a free night.” (Age 48-58).
“I agree to the fact that he came out. In today's standards I see no need to hide it anymore. I still plan on going to ball games, if he can play the game in the way it was meant to be played, why not?” (Age 58+)
The community of Helena responded primarily with a positive attitude to David Denson coming out, with a few concerns here and there. Most of the concerns were that his outing would turn into a political fest when baseball should be about having fun. Denson has said his only reason for making it public is to release a weight that has been on his shoulders so that he can give baseball his full attention. Sometimes change is hard and can cause a lot of conflict, yet this change might do more good than bad for athletes and the LGBTQ community alike. As long as Denson continues to love and play baseball with his whole heart, this seems as if it could be a positive change in the Helena and major league communities.
