2 March: Matthew Mitcham, Olympic Diver

"Being ‘out' for me means being just as I am with nothing to be ashamed about and no reasons to hide."

b. March 2, 1988

Australian diver Matthew Mitcham is one of the few openly gay Olympic athletes. At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Mitcham won a gold medal after executing the highest-scoring dive in Olympic history.

Mitcham grew up in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He competed as a trampoline gymnast before being discovered by a diving coach. By the time he was 14, he was a national junior champion in diving. A few years later, he won medals in the World Junior Diving Championships.

In 2006, after battling anxiety and depression, Mitcham decided to retire from diving. The following year, he returned to diving and began training for the Olympics.

In Beijing, Mitcham won an Olympic gold medal in the 10-meter platform dive. It was the first time in over 80 years that an Australian male diver struck Olympic gold. After his triumph, he leaped into the stands to hug and kiss his partner, Lachlan Fletcher.

Mitcham was the first out Australian to compete in the Olympics. There were only 11 openly gay athletes out of a total of over 11,000 competitors in Beijing.

Mitcham was chosen 2008 Sports Performer of the Year by the Australian public. The same year, Australia GQ named him Sportsman of the Year. After accepting the GQ award, Mitcham joked, "Oh, my God, I’m a homo and I just won the sports award!"

Mitcham competed in the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne. He is studying at Sydney University and training for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

"I look at the last 20 years as a long, winding path of lessons and some hardship," Mitcham said in 2008. “I hope I do have more lessons to learn. I look forward to that."

Bibliography

Bradshaw, Don. "Aussie Olympic Gold Medalist Matthew Mitcham to Attend 2010 Gay Games in Cologne." Philadelphia Examiner. 1 June 2010.
Buzinski, Jim. "Olympic Diver is Openly Gay.” Outsports.com. 1 June 2010.
Fonseca, Nicolas. "Matt’s Next Act.” The Advocate. 1 June 2010.
Halloran, Jessica. "Out, Proud and Ready to Go for Gold.” Sydney Morning Herald. 1 June 2010.
Jensen, Michael. "Catching up with Matthew Mitcham.” AfterElton.com. 1 June 2010.
"Matthew Mitcham.” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 1 June 2010.
Williams, Rebecca. "Sensational Dive Earns Matthew Mitcham Gold Medal in Beijing.” FoxSports. 1 June 2010.
Videos of Matthew Mitcham
FINA Diving Grand Prix 2008 Shenzhen
Interview with Matthew Mitcham after the Gold Medal
Promo for the Gay Games
Matthew Mitcham on “The Morning Show”
Websites
Matthew Mitcham Official Website
Federation of Gay Games
Official Website of the Olympic Movement
Matthew Mitcham’s Social Network
Matthew Mitcham’s Facebook Fan Page

Related articles

• Matthew Mitcham: Gay Footballers Should Come Out of the Closet (towleroad.com)
• Mitcham ready to 'complete collection' (news.theage.com.au)
• Matthew Mitcham and the Great Gay NBC Olympics Non-Conspiracy [The Gays] (gawker.com)
• Gay community supports Australian swimmer (topinews.com)

Olympic Torch...San Franciscans, to protest!

A bridge to oppression?

Next Wednesday, the Olympic Torch touches down in San Francisco for a quick sojourn around the Bay area.

But, crowds lining the streets may be less than welcoming.

Thousands of activists critical of the Olympic host are expected to protest in the wake of the recent outbreak of violence in Tibet, for instance.

The Chinese Government has shrugged off the implications, asserting that the demonstrations are merely the actions of a few who are trying to hijack a historical event, to meet their own agendas.

Mayor Gavin Newsom was initially inclined to conceal the route the Eternal Torch would traverse to thwart the protesters' efforts - and ultimately - avoid embarrassment to San Francisco residents.

But, amid an outcry, he finally relented.

The second-term Mayor has called the opportunity to host the relay an extraordinary honor, adding with emphasis that,

"The flame is about sports, not politics."

However, Mr. Newsom is missing the point.

If China hankers to participate in the Global Community, she must observe the rules of polite society.

Until the Human Rights Violations stop in Tibet, protesters should rise up and take every available opportunity to throw a spotlight on the atrocities, until they cease.

Desiderius Erasmus once opined,

"He who allows oppression shares the crime."

Beijing Olympics...boycott by Animal Activists, based on cruelty!

On a pleasant sunny Sunday afternoon a handful of members of "In Defense of Animals" were plunked out in front of Neiman Marcus corralling passers-by and lecturing them on the ongoing atrocities which are occurring every day in China in the "fur industry".

"In Defense of Animals" is an animal activist group and they are urging a Boycott of the Olympics in Beijing (China) because of the continued cruelty to animals in that Asian country overseas.

According to "Defense", from November through March each year, animals are crushed into barbed wire cages and forced to lay upon each other for days without food or water. Then, the animals are removed with tongs, stabbed in the groin, and bludgeoned or bled to death. They squeal out in pain as they're skinned alive and others are forced to watch and listen to their fate.

Shocking!

The animal activists allege that they have actual videotape footage which reveals in disturbing detail that some animals continue to live after their skin has been stripped and their bodies thrown into a heap with the dead and dying. In fact, the animal activists allege the animals continue to breath and live for as long as thirty minutes after the initial skinning.

Part of the problem of cruelty to dogs and cats stems from the fact here are no laws enacted in China to protect animals from this horrific treatment.

Because of loopholes in the labeling laws the Chinese are able to sneak fur trim into coats and garments without any mention of origins of the fur on the label.

To frustrate matters the fur industry often disguises its product through dyeing and other methods so that the buyer is unaware that they are actually purchasing a retail item which uses dog and cat fur.

Did you know that budget fur on collars, toys, and other accessories usually originates from China where the atrocities against animals are occurring?

It is calculated that over 5400 dogs and cats are skinned alive in China each day.

Because U.S. Laws only require labeling of fur garments over $150.00 in value, illegal dog and cat fur is exported into the U.S. without the consumer being the wiser about what they are purchasing.

Now, there is now a call to action to end this cruelty to animals.

First, and foremost, consumers are urged to Boycott the Olympics in Beijing until the heinous acts stop.

Secondly, Americans are asked to Boycott all pet products made in China.

In addition, fashionistas are asked to resist the inclination to buy fur or items crafted with fur trim.

To get involved personally, contact antifur@idausa.org for copies of brochures and cards to distribute in the community to get the word out and further the cause.

Finally, concerned animal-lovers are invited to get "vocal" by protesting to Chinese officials, directly.

Complaints may be forwarded to:

His Excellency Zhou Wenzhong
Ambassador of the People's Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C.
20008
Fax: 202.328.2582
Cell: 202.328.2574

As Rue McClanahan noted,

"Cruelty is one fashion statement we can all do without"