Five-time Olympic gold medalist Ian Thorpe comes out as gay in interview

[DonViejo]

Source: Agence France-Presse

Saturday, July 12, 2014 20:19 EDT

Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe reveals he is gay in an interview set to be broadcast Sunday, according to media reports, after years of denying rumours about his sexuality.

The five-time Olympic gold medalist makes the revelation in an interview with British presenter Michael Parkinson due to be aired Sunday night by Australia’s Channel Ten, reports said.

Australia’s Sunday Telegraph newspaper said the 31-year-old also describes his years of depression in the emotional interview recorded last month.

His decision to come out as gay attracted a flurry of supportive comments on social media.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/07/12/five-time-olympic-gold-medalist-ian-thorpe-comes-out-as-gay-in-interview/

[SCVDem]

1. I hope to live for the day

when this is a non issue.

I already give it a meh.

To me this just isn't big news.

Sorry.

[Johnyawl]

2. It may not be big news to you...

...but to the person who may be ostracized by their family, see their career opportunities restricted, suffer humiliation and possibly violence as a result of such an announcement, it's a very big deal.

Freedom to marry exists in only 17 of the 50 states at this time. Gays have no protection from being fired or denied housing just for being gay.

We have not come far enough in equal rights to be that blase about it.

I certainly live for the day when this is a non issue, but I doubt we'll achieve that in my lifetime.

[ailsagirl]

3. It seems that these days when someone famous comes out...

there is barely a negative ripple in public opinion. It must be a huge burden off his shoulders.

[msongs]

4. so does everyone who bought his "book" get a refund? hmmm nt

[dsc]

9. so he lied about it in his book

Is he the only person who lied in an auto biography?

[SoapBox]

5. It's all a good thing...

And then we move forward.

[Gormy Cuss]

6. I'm happy that he feels free to share this. n/t

[KinMd]

7. Is it a good thing this story will be greeted with shrugs and people saying "So what'?

[littlemissmartypants]

8. Courage is always a good idea.

More power to him.

Love, Peace and Shelter. Lmsp

[shenmue]

10. True