ISSUE VII: SPORTS

 

ISSUE VII: SPORTS

 

How are gender and sexuality implicated in the performance of sport, and what are the current social expectations surrounding them? These and other questions form the foundation of our investigation into sport’s underlying social purpose.

 

ARTICLES

Featured
Smear the Queer
Smear the Queer

For one lifelong athlete, a hurtful childhood game launches a journey to a whole new playing field.

Coming Out to Play
Coming Out to Play

A player’s confession to his teammate best friend triggers an affirming undefeated streak — and an NFL career.

The In-Between: Exercising Gender Lines
The In-Between: Exercising Gender Lines

From silks to “Insanity”, one woman returning to the gym muses on the fitness of others’ expectations — and her own.

Ancient Battles and Modern Brains
Ancient Battles and Modern Brains

A Kinsey researcher draws a line from modern-day male homophobia in the sports world to an ancestral masculinity defined by war.

Zach and the City: Being a Sub
Zach and the City: Being a Sub

A blindfolded Valentine’s stunt gives a bi top a heart-on for sexual surrender.

Keeping Score
Keeping Score

Grunting after a ball does not a manly man make.

My Body and Other Adventures: Too Much of a Good Thing
My Body and Other Adventures: Too Much of a Good Thing

Seeking well-being, a runaway athlete finds new mileage in getting off track.

Children on the Pole
Children on the Pole

Nevermind strip clubs: Pole dancing brings the same benefits as other forms of exercise. Should it be recognized as a sport — and open to kids?

Painted Stories

Featured
Karen’s Story
Karen’s Story

A late-blooming surfer reminds us that you don’t have to be the best at something to enjoy it.

Ryan & Corey’s Story
Ryan & Corey’s Story

A professional football player lived in fear of coming out as bi. Falling in love with a man changed everything.

Jason’s Story
Jason’s Story

An Aussie macho man reflects on his time in the closet, and his decision to finally release the bi thunder from down under.

Su’s Story
Su’s Story

An athlete addresses the frustration of trying to compete when there isn’t a division for intersex people.

Zach’s Story
Zach’s Story

When an ice hockey player from the UK wanted to come out as bi, his biggest obstacle was the fear that his teammates would shun him.

Kim’s Story
Kim’s Story

Raised into a lifetime of playing sports, a veteran athlete explains why she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Lizzie’s Story
Lizzie’s Story

For this para-swimmer, living with a disability never meant living without sport.

Hudson’s Story
Hudson’s Story

A lifelong love of the sport made him a college wrestler. Homophobia in the locker room made him an advocate for LGBT visibility in sports.

Emma’s Story
Emma’s Story

As a teen, this footballer didn’t want to make a big deal about coming out. Turns out, it wasn’t.

Business of Sex

Featured
Buck Angel
Buck Angel

Blazing trails and maryjane alike, pioneering trans man Buck Angel is ready to talk it out with anyone.

Catherine Shirley
Catherine Shirley

“What do you do for a living?” “Oh, you know, I give tours of a sex doll factory, among other things.”


Dr. Jess
Dr. Jess

Sex ed has not only failed our students — it’s failed their parents, too. That’s where Dr. Jess comes in.

Joshua Simpson
Joshua Simpson

Running a small BDSM business can sometimes feel like you’re up shit creek — but you’ll always have paddles.

Kelli Provocateur
Kelli Provocateur

This bodybuilding Houston Dominatrix isn’t taking any nonsense. But she’ll take your cash.

Shaun Miller
Shaun Miller

Contemporary philosophy has long been stagnating, but one scholar is trying to breathe life – and love – back into it.

Lotus Lain
Lotus Lain

To Lotus Lain, sex work isn’t just work — it’s passion, freedom, and the right to be yourself.

 
 
katherine inoue