Hello I'm Rich Brown and this is my personal website and blog. I'm just your simple, average, down to earth, professional, out gay man and aspiring circuit boy, living in Phoenix, Arizona with a few things to say while trying to find my place among all the scary, conservative, religious nuts in this sick and twisted world.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Follow Up: Matthew Mitcham Takes The Gold
Fortunately enough when I was back home in Pennsylvania in August, I had plenty of time to sit around and watch the Olympics. I'm not what you would consider an avid sports fan, but honestly, ever since I was introduced to the Olympics on television as a small child, I love watching them.
I publish a posting back in July about Australian swimmer Matthew Mitcham, the first openly gay Australian to go to the Olympics. After coming out, Matthew was the topic of much discussion in the community, and even appeared on the cover of numerous magazines across the globe. This 19 year old from Australia suddenly turned into the symbol of inspiration for the entire gay community.
So for most of the two weeks of the Olympics, I was glued in front of the television catching both the Men's & Women's events in Gymnastics, Swimming, Diving & Track & Field. I watched each of Michael Phelps Gold winning races, China's amazing sweep of gold in gymnastics, and Matthew Mitcham's Gold winning demonstration on the diving board. While I think it's a great accomplishment for all the athletes who made it to the Olympics and went home with a medal, I think it's a tremendous test of courage for someone like Matthew Mitcham to be openly gay, head to a country like China which is known for homophibia and repression, and all the while pulling out a gold medal.
Matthew is a shining star in the LGBT community, and hopefully an inspiration to other gay & lesbian youth, showing them that you can come out without fear and still reach your goals. Is there any wonder why we love those Aussies. :-)
