Do you know who Dave Kopay is?

[William769]

Do you know who David Kopay is? It is quite possible you might, but two weeks ago, I didn't.

"How much?" he asked. I looked up from a little bronze statue I was trying my damnedest to read the signature on. He moved closer, this still-handsome, somewhat older man of about 70.

"You have that rooster don't you?"

I blinked, thinking, Rooster? Rooster?

"Yes, of course, the rooster," I finally blurted out. "I moved it, it's back here!" I pointed toward the back of my antique space at a large terra-cotta rooster that stood there, forever frozen in pose.

"How much?" he asked again. I checked the price tag and looked at the man. Tall, tan, vibrant, and well, just handsome. He fixed me with his gaze. He searched my eyes, and then looked at my boyfriend, Angus, sitting in a chair not 10 feet away, reading a design book. The man paused, as if he understood the something unspoken. "You two have this space together?"

"No," Angus said, "it is all his."

"But he helps me out a ton," I said. "And those chairs over there are his!'

http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2013/08/29/op-ed-what-happened-when-i-met-dave-kopay

[unblock]

1. sure! he and karl deduktible were famous health insurance pioneers!

[hootinholler]

4. I was gonna go with

My Dr's accountant.

[William769]

5. I'm glad you two find this hilarious

& just totally disregard the story altogether.

[hootinholler]

6. I'm sorry William

I did read the story and it is a wonderful piece.

Please don't take my wordplay for disapproval, it is not intended that way.

[theHandpuppet]

7. Apparently some folks got lost on their way to the Lounge

Anyway, yes, I do remember David Kopay, but then I'm not only old but a huge football fan. My goodness, he's still very handsome!

I'm glad that some folks are now learning about Kopay... I remember the hell he went through back then. I'm amazed, considering what he went through, that he didn't get devoured by bitterness. I guess it's called strength of character.

[DreamGypsy]

2. Wow. That is a very moving story. Thanks. (nt)

[JohnnyLib2]

3. Powerful and poignant story.

Thanks for posting.

Rec.

[stevenleser]

8. Wow. As Biden would say, this guy is a big f---ing deal.

I want him on my show now!!!!!

[bahrbearian]

9. Yes, what a blast from the pass, I used to watch him play at UW, Thanks

[Behind the Aegis]

10. He was the answer to one of my many GLBT questions, when we played GLBT Jeopardy!

I used to teach GLBT rights, and one of the ways was through games. He was the answer to a few of my questions in different games.

He has held up quite well. We should all look that good in our 70s! LOL!

I hope he is not just an inspiration to GBLT youth, but to players in the NFL.

[Laughing Mirror]

11. Used to see him in gay bars and clubs in early 1970s in New York and DC

Can't remember if his book had already come out, but everybody there knew who he was. You'd see him standing there with a drink in his hand, checking everybody out, sometimes talking with guys he might have been cruising, or they cruising him. He did have a certain presence. But I never knew anyone who really knew him so I have no stories, no pillow talk, about him to tell.

Still, he was a fixture for awhile at a club I went to in DC. And he always hung out at a back bar looking out on the dance floor. He always struck me as being a lonesome kind of guy. That is, he never seemed to have anybody with him. He seemed always to hang out by himself, without any friends around.

Haven't thought about Dave Kopay in years. Glad he's still around.

[noiretextatique]

12. i never heard of him, but glad i know who he is now

thanks for posting...lovely story.

[AnotherDreamWeaver]

13. I picked up his book "The David Kopay Story" several years ago, but haven't got to reading it.

Now I just went and pulled it off the shelf. I spend too much time reading DU posts, and should get back to reading books...

Thanks for the post. I enjoyed reading it.

[mitchtv]

14. a brave soul, he is

I remember when his book came out ,it made headlines in SF. I endedup working for his brother in SF telco

[Vanje]

15. Now I do!

Thanks for sharing that GREAT article!

[closeupready]

16. I do indeed - read his autobiography years ago.

K&R

[DevonRex]

17. You made me cry. Jeremie wrote it so well. Kopay is a giant.

Hero doesn't cover it.

His true love, his soul mate, died in Vietnam fighting for this country. He died for a country that would not have accepted him for the person he was. Just as it did not accept Dave. And Dave's own mother... OMG.

I'm sorry if I shouldn't have replied here. I won't be making a habit of it. To leave you with a little something in return for the magnificent life you brought to my attention I found an article for you.

Moscow Times is an English paper that's independent in Russia. They have to be very, very careful about how they report things and you have to learn how to read between the lines. But they do talk about issues that other sources do not. And once you learn how to read between the lines you understand their viewpoint, which is much more liberal. In this article, for example, there are some good things said. But, buried among the "good" things are some really scary statements about what it's like for Western LGBTs living in Russia today. I was shocked.

"Gay Expats Experience Hardships, and Joys, of Russia"

Read more: http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/gay-expats-experience-hardships-and-joys-of-russia/485275.html#ixzz2dURfnlJH
The Moscow Times

It's the same with this article about Nikolai Alexeyev quitting gay rights advocacy. It refers to the one in out.com and brings up several of its points but can't link to it.

Alexeyev Announces He's Quitting Gay Rights Activism

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/alexeyev-announces-hes-quitting-gay-rights-activism/485260.html

[Aerows]

18. Neat man

It's a shame we don't hear more about gay pro-athletes. It could help a lot of young people if we did. Just knowing that you aren't alone can make a huge difference.