Jocks: True Stories of America's Gay Male Athletes [Paperback]

Dan Woog (Interviewer)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997

Find out what happens when the final closet door--that of men in sports--finally swings open. Is there life for gay athletes after coming out to their teammates? Journalist Dan Woog, himself an openly gay soccer coach, interviewed dozens of gay jocks and offers over 25 inspiring stories of men who are truly today's champions.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Over two dozen personal profiles of high school and college coaches and athletes succinctly and sensitively dispute the contention that "gay jock" is an oxymoron.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Woog characterizes the athletic locker room as "the largest, dingiest, smelliest closet left in America." He then profiles several dozen men, many still quite young, who have helped dispel at least the closet part of that characterization. Each has acknowledged his homosexuality and, with one poignant exception ("The Suicidal Jock," still adjusting as a college junior), has come out to coaches and teammates, or, if a coach himself, to students. Woog writes vividly about them all, communicating the fulfillment they find in sports as well as the satisfaction they experience in being out. He depicts them as normally complex persons coping with normally complex life situations, one of which is not, however, being turned on by the sight of naked teammates. Besides plenty of soccer players (Woog has coached the sport for 20 years), swimmers, gymnasts, wrestlers, runners, basketballers, hockey players, and even an "impostor," who admits going out for junior-high sports to be near other boys, also appear, and Woog concludes with advice to coaches on dealing with homophobia. Ray Olson

Product Details

• Paperback: 236 pages
• Publisher: Alyson Books; 1st edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555833993
• ISBN-13: 978-1555833992
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #376,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An honest look at being a gay athlete, January 16, 2002

By 

"govt_atty" (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jocks: True Stories of America's Gay Male Athletes (Paperback)

As mentioned by other reviewers, this book is not intended to titilate or be an erotic novel. Rather, it is a group of true stories of coaches and athletes at the high school, college and beyond levels of competition. Perhaps because I heard about the nature of the book from a friend before I bought it, I was not suprised and certainly not disappointed. So to those who are looking for some stories about sex-crazed jocks in a locker room, try somewhere else.

The wonderful thing about this novel is that Woog's discussions really allow you to see the different reactions of both athletes and their friends and families when confronting the "gay issue." Some have good experiences; others not so good. Some are totally out; others are not out to a majority of those they work with. The reader can definitely see that being gay and being an athlete are not necessarily at odds as much of our society would have us believe.

I actually had the pleasure of meeting one of the interviewees. One of my friends who plays hockey in both straight and gay clubs knew the interviewee prior to being included in the book. It was even more amazing to meet and talk with him on several occasions to see that the book was accurate. Neither sports nor being gay are all he's about. He's one of the fortunate ones who is comfortable about all aspects of his life. And I think that Dan Woog has done a great job of showing that throughout his book.

Take a chance; you'll enjoy it.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST read for any gay athlete!, January 8, 1999

By 

Jeff Waugh (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jocks: True Stories of America's Gay Male Athletes (Paperback)

Never before has a book expressed my feelings and sentiments about being gay and an athlete. Many years ago I turned my back from the jock world because I thought I was alone. Clearly there were no role models for me and the journey of trying to explore my gay feelings in a jock world were too over-powering. This book expresses the isolation, thoughts, and struggles of many other guys just like me. How I wish this book was available to me when I was younger! Thanks Dan Woog!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for understanding our gay athletes, February 21, 2000

By 

Stefan (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jocks: True Stories of America's Gay Male Athletes (Paperback)

I've read the 7 reviews, and decided to take the book anyway. And I was not disappointed.

The book is very honest, Dan Woog makes it very clear in the foreword what the book is about, nonwithstanding the negative comments made by possible readers.

I've only started reading the book, but it already has me commiserating with the various people who have had to endure abuse and hatred at the hands of their peers, colleagues, team mates and the world at large.

This is a book to wake you up from the fantasy that the jocks always have it easy. They don't, and we as gay members of society should show our support openly for those who have had the courage to come out of the closet, and give encouragement to those still in there to come out too and live fully.