1/25/14

Openly gay Kenyon lacrosse player Holden Richards is changing his world with dignity, pride, and wit. Go, Holden!


Read this inspiring Outsports story about Holden Richards. He is another example of this young generation of proud gay people who are building on the advancements made by previous generations.   I could not be happier for Holden...and myself and our movement:
The Kenyon College men's lacrosse team already knew Holden Richards was gay during fall ball last year. News of the sophomore midfielder's surprising coming out had drifted through the team quickly the previous spring and summer, but the players still didn't quite know how to handle it. 
It was a practice last autumn that broke the ice. Richards was locked up in a battle with another teammate during one-on-ones, a healthy dose of body-checking and aggressive play between the two. As the afternoon waned, Richards' teammate took a tough shot that went wide of the goal. 
"Suck my dick!" The teammate hollered. It was something the rest of the team had heard from him before, but it was the first time he'd said it with a gay teammate within earshot, and it had never been seemingly voiced directly at Richards. 
The team held their collective breath not knowing what to do. Ignore it? Stop practice and chastise the player? 
Richards took matters into his own hands. He turned to his teammate, smiled and shook his head. 
"No thank you."
The truth sets one free.  And big dollops of humor and dignity make life worth living.  Go, Holden!

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