In the future, maybe 10 years from now, maybe 20, sports and homosexuality won’t be a toxic mix – at least that is the hope.
But until that day comes, there need to be leaders of the cause, pioneers, bold men and women who can gently help along others who aren’t as bold.
Basically, there need to be people like Anna Aagenes C’10.
Aagenes was not only a track star during her last four years at Penn; she was an openly gay track star. And as a leader in the LGBT community, she strived every day to make her school a more accepting place for gay athletes.
“It’s been the best thing I could have done,” Aagenes said, “to bring together my two identities.”
The truth is, Aagenes never encountered many problems for being gay. But that doesn’t mean it’s not an issue. All you have to do is think about the fact that there has never been an openly gay male athlete in the four major American professional sports to realize there’s still a long way to go. And a welcoming environment in high schools and colleges around the country will certainly help pave the way toward conquering homophobia in the professional ranks.
“I definitely see it changing,” Aagenes said, just a few hours before boarding a plane for a track competition in the UK with runners from Penn and Cornell. “This really is the last frontier in terms of acceptance. Our generation is going to be the one that changes things. The older generation has the mindset that sexuality is a very big deal. The positive thing is people are starting to talk about homophobia in athletics. The younger generation is much more accepting.”
Aagenes first came out as a junior at Central Bucks West High School but not all of her track teammates knew. When she got to Penn, she immediately came out to the whole team before joining the Queer Student Alliance, a large undergraduate organization. Later, as a chair of PATH (Penn’s Athletes & Allies Tackling Homophobia), she founded the Pride Games, a fun “field day” competition designed to bring together athletes and members of the LGBT community.
In April, she was presented with the 2010 PennGALA Student Leadership Award.
Aagenes, center, with her student leadership award
“There are a lot of closeted athletes,” said Aagenes, who set a few school records as the captain of the track and cross country teams at Penn. “I mean, I was one of them. Through activities and talking to people, it’s been really rewarding doing these events and meeting people you never had the opportunity to meet. It’s really important with people struggling to come out to their teams.
“The majority of my experience at Penn has been very positive,” she continued. “But I’ve heard stories of others who have less-than-positive experiences – both at Penn and at other schools.”
As a leader of the cause, Aagenes never intended to push people to come out to their teammates. She simply wanted to make sure that was an option.
“People don’t have to necessarily have to be out,” she said. “The big deal is that they could because it’s a huge burden to hide part of your identity. No one deserves to live in fear if they’re found out. The worst part about remaining closeted is the fear.”
Now that she’s graduated, Aagenes plans to stay in Philly, where she will work with HIV patients at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She also plans on staying involved with LGBT issues while continuing to be a voice – and a beacon of hope – for other gay athletes.
When she’s no longer needed anymore, that’s when she knows her job will be done. She just hopes that day will come soon.
