Changing times: ESPN shows bowling champion kissing his husband

[cynatnite]

Our story: Scott Norton was competing in the 2012 Professional Bowling Association's Chameleon Championship on Sunday. He won in dramatic fashion over Jason Belmonte, and was overcome with emotion as he'd devoted his tournament to a recently-deceased friend. Afterward, Norton embraced and kissed husband Craig Woodward. Throughout the broadcast, as Outsports notes, ESPN had referred to Woodward as the "husband" or "spouse" of Norton. Again, no big deal.

Norton is a two-time champion, and he came out in 2011, soon after being named the PBA's Rookie of the Year. As he said when he announced he was gay, he was inspired by Phoenix Suns CEO and President Rick Welts, who also announced his orientation last year.

"It is extremely important for me to come out to show other gay athletes, both current and future, that it is important to come out to show that we are just like everyone else," he said at the time. "Being gay doesn’t define who I am as a person or as a professional athlete. I'm also a professional bowler, lawyer, caring, compassionate, strong, and many other things. It's important to show people that being gay has nothing to do with one's ability to do anything as a man, least of all compete at the highest level of sports."

Look, there is absolutely no reason why an athlete's sexual orientation should be a big deal, but for many, it still is. The fact, though, that ESPN can refer to and show a gay couple acting every bit as routine in their happiness as a straight one is, in some small way, progress. We're still a ways from a professional athlete in one of the nation's top sports coming out, but the day is getting closer. And "isn't it amazing that we can be tolerant?" articles like this one will hopefully be a thing of the past.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/the-turnstile/changing-times-espn-shows-bowling-champion-kissing-husband-233141613.html

The kiss is towards the end.

[cynatnite]

1. kicking because I think it's awesome! n/t

[tjwash]

2. Rec'ing

:kick:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

3. I love change for the better.

Thanks for sharing that.

[Brickbat]

4. K&R.

Love is love.

[Ohio Joe]

5. K&R - nt

[gollygee]

6. So heartwarming

K&R

[randome]

7. And the more the Church and Conservatives rail against this...

...the more powerless they become. There is no going back now.

[bullwinkle428]

8. K&R! I posted the news to the LGBT group when he publicly came out last year!

[Nye Bevan]

9. I hope that pretty soon, something like this will be completely unremarkable,

not in any way noteworthy.

[Oilwellian]

10. Awww, very cool n/t

[uponit7771]

11. nice

[Logical]

12. Shit, this made me teary! Good for them!!

[Care Acutely]

13. K & R!

[longship]

14. "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" has been doing this for a while.

I watch it almost every day -- mainly because Jeopardy doesn't appear in rural west Michigan.

But gay has definitely crossed over into the mainstream. When a Millionaire contestant has his/her gay partner in the audience Meredith and the production staff seem to highlight it. The thing is that the audience goes wild. They love it!

I have seen it happen many times. When gay rights have national cultural resonance that extends to TV game shows, those who oppose equal rights for all people have truly lost all their battles that argue to the contrary.

It warms my heart.

[Poll_Blind]

15. That was hella awesome to watch.

PB

[Cha]

16. Awesome! Thanks cynatnite

[HoosierRadical]

17. This makes me happy.

[Doctor_J]

18. Big K/R

for progress. I am banned from the GLBT forum, saw this yesterday. I guess the broadcasters referred to Woodward and Norton's husband throughout the telecast.

Life is good.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

19. I love this--that he was treated just like they treat any other champion.

Love his comments.

[DonRedwood]

20. OMG...bowling just made me cry.

[DLevine]

21. K&R. So sweet. nt

[msanthrope]

22. I have a bone to pick with you for posting this.....

I had to watch over 2 minutes of bowling to get to a very beautiful moment.

I'm never going to get those two mintues back, ya' know!!!

[marmar]

23. k/r

[Denninmi]

24. Not progress in some way.

Progress in a big way, overdue, and good to see.

Love is love, gay, straight, or bi. That's all that matters.

[jmowreader]

25. I'm shocked

They still have bowling champions?

And can anyone name a sport with a more fucked-up method of play than tournament bowling?

[Skittles]

32. I'll take bowling any day over golf

[DonRedwood]

26. why isn't this on the front page?

[HangOnKids]

27. Crying At My Desk! K&R!!!!!!

[Luminous Animal]

28. This is lovely. It was only a couple of decades ago that I was participating in "kiss ins"

targeted at businesses and/or public officials who, in one way or another, restricted the expression of gay and lesbian affection.

[tclambert]

29. OMG! Republicans will have to give up bowling!

Rick Santorum will now denounce anyone playing with 16-pound balls.

[shenmue]

30. Awwwwww :)

Now I'm gonna cry.

[Skittles]

31. they will have truly ARRIVED when it no longer makes news

WOO!