Gay Athletes: Dave Kopay - Page 1
He was the first professional athlete to come out, and he continues to actively represent the gay and lesbian community

by Deborah Levinson

Twenty-Five or so years ago Dave Kopay was just another former professional football player looking to hook on as a coach with a college or pro team.

Then, in 1975, three years after his retirement, history came calling in the form of reporter Lynn Rosellini, writing a series of articles on homosexual athletes ("Gays in Sports") for the Washington Post.

No athlete will speak on the record to her until, at last, she meets up with Dave Kopay.

I heard Mr. Kopay on the radio the other day, being interviewed by libertarian Larry ("Absolutely No S") Elder who supports equal civil rights for all in the limited arenas he believes that the government should oversee, and also supports the notion that business owners should be free to discriminate on any basis they choose, that being one of the "perks" that comes with ownership.

I don't always (or even often) agree with Elder, but at the very least he is generally consistent.

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