Talk:Matthew Mitcham

Is Matt Mitcham the first out gay man to win an Olympic gold medal?

I'm a gay media archivist, also an Olympics history buff. Can anyone here answer this question?

Is Matt Mitcham the first out gay man to win an Olympic gold medal? (And by 'out', I mean someone who has announced or acknowledged his sexuality publicly—to the media, as Matt Mitcham did—by the time of his Olympic competition, and not merely someone whose sexual preference was known or acknowledged informally to a coach or a few teammates, for example.)

The Advocate profile of Matt Mitcham, published in the United States not long before his 10m platform win in Beijing, said "there’ve been openly gay Olympians before, and some have even won medals—such as Dutch swimmer Johan Kenkhuis, who took home a silver as part of the 100-meter freestyle relay in 2004." Though the Advocate speculated about Mitcham joining a "very small club of openly gay Olympic gold medalists", it did not name names. I suspect that the magazine either didn't know enough to elaborate, or perhaps did not think it appropriate to point out that even in that tiny "club," gay Olympians as a rule have come out years after winning gold medals, almost always after retiring altogether from competition.

There may have been out women who have won gold medals before. (I'm not sure, and that's certainly something to investigate.) In any case, I suspect Mitcham is the first out gay man—out at the time of his Olympic competition, at age 20—to win an Olympic gold medal. If it holds up, that's a true milestone in GLBT history and certainly something his Wikipedia page should acknowledge. —Soccerbawl (talk) 21:23, 25 August 2008 (UTC)

According to Andrew Glassman of the Gay People's Chronicle (August 29, 2008), seven of the eleven out athletes at the Beijing Games won medals. In addition to Mitcham's gold, "Natasha Kai of the U.S. brought home gold in soccer, while Gro Hammerseng and Katja Nyberg, who are a couple, brought gold medals home to Norway in handball." Two more U.S. women won silver medals as members of the softball team: Lauren Lappin and Vicky Galindo (who self-identifies as a bisexual). A German soccer player, Linda Bresonik, earned a bronze. I am still keen to hear similar statistics from previous Olympics. —Soccerbawl (talk) 06:52, 28 August 2008 (UTC)

I think this is because people in developed countries are more willing to come out if they are LGBT, because there is a lot less stigma in such countries, compared to what would happen in some undeveloped countires - death penalty, jail etc. Also, developed countries are a lot more likely to win something because their athletes are not wildcard entrants. Blnguyen (bananabucket) 07:00, 28 August 2008 (UTC)

I think that's rather a sweeping generalisation. Whilst coming out in developed nations is probably easier, the tiny number (11 out athletes out of 16000) clearly indicates that it is still incredibly difficult. I believe that Mitcham is the first out gay man to win gold, but I can't be certain, and with no sources that back it up, it has to be carefully worded in the article. If the Advocate aren't happy revealing names, then I doubt that the athlete is actually out. But that's speculation. --Ged UK (talk) 07:11, 28 August 2008 (UTC)

According to Patricia Nell Warren, Mitcham is not the first out man to win Olympic gold. The late British figure skater John Curry affirmed his homosexuality in a press conference prior to competing in the 1976 Winter Olympics,[1] apparently after being outed by a German tabloid. Warren writes that the New Zealand rider Blyth Tait, who won gold in equestrian eventing in the 1996 Atlanta Games, "has been out forever in his home country." —Soccerbawl (talk) 12:35, 28 August 2008 (UTC)

I was just going to say, Curry was outed, so one could debate as to whether that's quite the same, but for my money the press conference confirmation counts, if that's the right word. I think we have verifiable sources that confirm Mitcham wasn't the first. --Ged UK (talk) 13:03, 28 August 2008 (UTC)

Digging into the chronology, I suspect that Patricia Nell Warren is misremembering events of 32 years ago, and that she is incorrect about John Curry coming out to the press before the 1976 Innsbruck Olympics. Curry won his Olympic gold medal on February 11, 1976.[2] According to his (stable) Wikipedia biography, the German tabloid Bild outed Curry shortly before the World Championships. The 1976 World Championships took place in Gothenberg, Sweden "shortly after" the Innsbruck Olympic Games.[3]

If he really was outed by Bild just before the Olympics, why haven't we heard about it? I'd like to get a date on that publication. My guess is that the notoriety brought about by Curry's Olympic gold medal prompted the German tabloid to 'out' him. (I don't think a German tabloid would have had much incentive to out Curry before the Olympics, when he was still relatively unknown to the wider public.) While Ms. Warren is probably correct to remember Curry in some sort of a press conference situation back then, confirming that he was gay, at least from the available evidence online such a press conference would almost certainly have taken place after his gold medal win, not before.

As for Ms. Warren's other 'out' gold medal candidate, the New Zealand equestrian Blyth Tait, I have to ask: was Tait 'out' in the press prior to 1996? I'm not sure I'd trust Ms. Warren's authority on that. —Soccerbawl (talk) 00:43, 29 August 2008 (UTC)

The entry for John Curry in the online GLBTQ.com Encyclopedia also says he came out before the 1976 Olympics. Unfortunately, I've found notable errors in this particular source before. Making no mention of the Bild tabloid outing, GLBTQ.com says of Curry that "[T]hroughout his career, he consistently spoke candidly about his sexual orientation." Well, how can that be, if he was also outed?

I don't doubt that a 1976 press conference took place, probably right before the Worlds in Sweden. (Says GLBTQ.com, "upon his return to Britain he spoke openly about his sexuality.") His sexuality apparently wasn't discussed much in the mainstream press after that. According to his New York Times obituary, Curry came out (in the Daily Mail) in 1992 both with his illness (AIDS) and with his homosexuality, writing: "I just accept being homosexual as the way I am. I don't think of it as being bad or wrong or to do with any form of illness. I never pretended not to be homosexual, ever." —Soccerbawl (talk) 16:41, 29 August 2008 (UTC)

A knowledgeable respondent on Talk:John Curry has confirmed that Curry came out to the press after winning his 1976 gold medal, not before. —Soccerbawl (talk) 05:07, 30 August 2008 (UTC)

Good work! It might be worth summarising this for the article (with sources) to stop random stuff getting added. What do you think? --Ged UK (talk) 11:08, 30 August 2008 (UTC)

I would also add Greg Louganis in there to contrast a gay gold medalist who came out afterwards. A category of LGBT Olympians would also be helpful. Banjeboi 22:16, 30 August 2008 (UTC)

Clean sweep

{{editsemiprotected}} The article says Mitcham kept China from taking a clean sweep of all the diving medals. Mitcham prevented them only from sweeping all the gold medals. Max scott61 (talk) 07:12, 1 September 2008 (UTC)

 Done --Ged UK (talk) 07:16, 1 September 2008 (UTC)

Please add Wuu --> it is the 2nd chinese wiki page

[[:wuu:Matthew Michem]] sorry for the a bit mispelt . . . 202.12.233.23 (talk) 09:00, 1 September 2008 (UTC)

I've added it - please get the page moved over there to the correct spelling and we can then update the link here. Banjeboi 09:06, 1 September 2008 (UTC)

"spelling" now becomes:

[[:wuu:马肖 米切姆]]

I'm not sure if you want that added or if [[:wuu:Matthew Mitcham]] is being worked on. Could you clarify what you mean? -- Banjeboi 00:43, 1 October 2008 (UTC)

It looks like it's been updated now, please message again if it's not working. -- Banjeboi 00:43, 1 October 2008 (UTC)

Matt Helm also Gay

In this months DNA magazine (#105) they state: "Matthew (Mitcham) wasn't the only gay man at the Olympics. His diving teammate Matt Helm is also out." (page 8)

This means the statement (on the Wikipedia page) that Mitcham is the only out gay male at the Olympics is incorrect.—Preceding unsigned comment added by 118.208.9.120 (talk • contribs)

Do you have a link to this? -- Banjeboi 00:43, 1 October 2008 (UTC)

I've got a link at home and I'll source it properly when I get home. I tweaked the article to reflect this. As I recall, DNA Article 105 has a letter from a reader, pointing them back to their own article (83 I think) where DNA had a feature on Helm's sexuality. It is available online, though you do have to subscribe, but it is free. --Ged UK (talk) 11:46, 1 October 2008 (UTC)

As long as it's sourced and accurate I'm not bothered. -- Banjeboi 22:18, 1 October 2008 (UTC)

Blast, I forgot to do it. Don't worry, it is sourceable. --Ged UK (talk) 06:56, 2 October 2008 (UTC)

(I'm the original writer of this section - sorry, I am not familiar with editing wiki) This is the article from DNA#83 - I'm not sure what page, I only have the online edition of this issue: If you have a subscription you can view the article here: http://www.dnamagazine.com.au/articles/news.asp?news_id=1165

PERFECT 10

MATT HELM

Openly gay Olympic diver Matt Helm makes a splash both in and out of the pool. Photography by Karen Adams.

You probably wouldn’t recognise Matt Helm with his clothes on. When he’s suspended ten metres in the air wearing a super-tight pair of speedos it’s a different story. Those who tuned in to the Commonwealth Games in March saw Helm doing what comes naturally – spinning through the air before smacking into the water at 60 kilometres an hour and scoring a swag of perfect 10s.

This is from page 8 of DNA #105 - Burnt Toast section (letters to the editor):

It was great to see Matthew Mitcham included in your Sexiest Men Alive 2008 list [DNA #104]. Following Matthew’s gold medal win at Beijing is there any chance of an article on him? He and his partner are certainly great positive role models for young gay men everywhere. We should all be proud of him being the only man among 10,500 Olympic athletes to be out, not to mention his amazing achievement in that 10-metre platform dive! Jack, Canberra, ACT Matthew wasn’t the only out gay man at the Olympics. His diving teammate Matt Helm is also out. Check out our follow-up story on Matthew in this issue.

(Bold text is the editors reply) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 118.208.9.120 (talk) 01:54, 4 October 2008 (UTC)

Can someone please add to the end of the Personal Life section something along the lines of: Although this was reported by many media outlets, Matthew's diving team mate at the Beijing Olympics Mathew Helm is also openly gay. - with the reference to DNA magazine, or the website. I think that the section that is incorrect should be left, as it has references and is relevant, but with this correction included. Thanks (sorry I can't edit the article without an account atm) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 118.208.102.128 (talk) 12:02, 6 October 2008 (UTC)

 Done It's already in. I think this is all covered now? --Ged UK (talk) 21:37, 6 October 2008 (UTC)

Personal Life

I'm sorry, but his personal life mentions nothing BUT his homosexuality. I think we need to add more about his life. —Preceding unsigned comment added by AnOicheGhealai (talk • contribs) 14:08, 1 December 2009 (UTC)

Yes, please, can we find something else about this kid that's notable enough to cite in Wikipedia? --SchutteGod (not logged in) (talk) 16:36, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

Removed part in lede.

The lede stated he was one of eleven openly gay Olympic athletes at the 2008 games, then gave a reference to OutSports. However, the OutSports link made the claim that only 11 openly gay athletes were identified at the 2004 games. ExRat (talk) 12:59, 20 February 2010 (UTC)

That's a reason to fix not remove, I have done so. -- Banjeboi 15:38, 20 February 2010 (UTC)

Art

OK, were all the pictures of this guy taken at the same event, or is it just coincidence that he's wearing the same outfit in each one? --SchutteGod (talk) 16:40, 29 June 2013 (UTC)

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