The realm of speculating a celebrity's sexual orientation is a province best left unentered. But it appears Tim Tebow has invited the churns of the rumor mill with pious public professions and other "evidence" now garnering headlines in the mainstream blogosphere.
Fresh off the cleated heels of winning ESPN's America's Favorite Athlete poll (albeit by a slight 3 percent edge), Tim Tebow's sexuality has moved beyond the fringe to become a mainstream topic.
First up, a parody of the controversial Manhunt billboards has made Tebow and fellow QB hottie Tom Brady the subject of many a gay Facebook posts this week (less evidence and more entertainment, admittedly):
But the loudest testament to a gay Tebow (according to hordes of homosexuals and some leading blogs in recent days) arrives in the form of the quarterback's post-Steelers game interview from late last year, a video that's also spreading like wildfire across social networks:
Normally, I wouldn't spare a second thought to men who are prone to slightly-lisped, wrist-flailing demonstrations. Who cares?! But when it's the aggressively evangelical and anti-gay organization-associated Tebow, we—even the open-minded gays who are regularly subjects of stereotypes themselves—might begin to assess the situation. Lord knows (apologies for taking the name in vain and all, Tim) that history is littered with devoutly-religious types finding themselves "exposed" as homosexuals, and study after study continues to reveal that ardent homophobes are more often than not self-hating gays themselves.
"Tebow would have an incredible opportunity to bridge the persistent divide in this nation between evangelical Christians and the gay community. I mean, honestly: It's time for this matter to be settled. Tebow could get his followers to be more accepting of gays, and he could get filthy liberals to be more accepting of evangelicals. I think he and Von Miller would make the cutest gay couple ever."
I was raised in Middle America, taught to kneel before the alters of Christianity and football, so Deadspin's romantic vision of an openly-gay Tebow resonates. A self-appointed (and fan-made) prophet who could link the evangelical/homosexual gap? Imagine the implications. I couldn't even fathom as a Catholic-school-boy grappling with same-sex attractions having someone like Tebow to look up to. Years of depression would've been shaved from my life.
If the rumor based on archaic stereotypes and wishful-thinking holds even an ounce of validity, Outsports' Cyd Zeigler Jr. brings us back down to earth.
"All that pious religious bullshit he spews…at the end of the day, that’s not him," writes Zeigler. "That’s what his parents and his pastors have drilled into his head from the day he was born. The kid doesn’t even know who he really is ... If he is in fact gay, he may not know it. Even if he does, chances are slim he’d be comfortable telling his mother…or pastor…let alone us.
"If Tebow is gay, he is buried beneath so much crap he many never get out from under it. Instead of attacking him for it, maybe reaching out a helpful hand would be nice. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still a crappy quarterback. But all that 'my lord and savior Jesus Christ' stuff…could be Tebow’s cry for help."
What do you make of the intensifying rumors surrounding America's Sweetheart? Should the gay community leave Tebow alone or should we apply pressure to our accelerating fascination with the country's "favorite athlete?"
It would explain Lady Gaga liking him, right? Kind of like we should have known Ricky Martin was gay the first time he showed up on Madonna's arm and they weren't dating.
+17
... written by david olsen,
January 12, 2012
I hope he is, and hope he finds me, yummy
+27
... written by Ver Steeg,
January 12, 2012
I totally have a Tebone.
+46
... written by aj318,
January 12, 2012
Any sort of gossipy "is whoever gay" articles always make my stomach turn. Seriously, is there not enough out there to talk about that we need idle speculation about people's sexuality and social hangups? Can't you just post more pics of him shirtless?
+44
... written by Chris D.,
January 12, 2012
@aj318: you obviously didn't even read the story as the first line agrees with your comment.
anywaysss---yes, Tim is a big queen. How else could conservative football fans be okay with him not banging hot model slash pop singer girlfriends every five minutes if he wasn't a total jesus-lover who justifies his bachelorhood with evangelicalism?
+5
... written by JayJay,
January 12, 2012
Tebow, gay...not gay? I don't care
+11
... written by TT4Eva,
January 12, 2012
That's ridiculous. Any gay man should care whether or not TT is gay. It could be HUGE!!
+5
... written by Chris McCoy,
January 12, 2012
Someone's Wishdar is seriously interfering with their Gaydar.
+27
... written by Serefin 84,
January 12, 2012
Eyeroll. Enough with this queen already.
+4
... written by djtombrown,
January 12, 2012
When I was his age, I was married & was a virgin also when I did get married. After 7 years I could not stand it any longer. I had to have a man. Been out ever since.
@r0ckmypants, um read what the story actually says. Athletes coming out AFTER they retire wasn't the point being made. And Sheryl Swoopes "isn't gay" anymore, wtf that even means.
-2
... written by Mike in NY,
January 12, 2012
Is the gay community that hung up for a role model? Just because hes a good looking guy with maybe som gay tendencies people here have to write articles? Leave the man alone. If he's gay then fine if hes not that's fine too. And if he's gay and doesn't choose to come that's fine as well. The gay community that is putting out these anti bulling and it will get better should think twice about what they are doing here. The man made a video about how he could of been aborted and wasnt now that makes him a figure head to go after. Think twice folks. It's a shame that people ate putting shit like this in public forums
+4
... written by TW,
January 12, 2012
We should never force someone out. We should just make them feel welcomed enough to come into themselves
Wishfully thinking gurls! Let the Christian sports idol be the freak he really is. If touchdowns is what he thinks god finds important let him dwell in that. We have bigger concerns in life as a gay community
+4
... written by JSG,
January 13, 2012
Gay or not, he wouldn't be the first. Where'd this writer come from? Mars? Do your homework. Navratilova? Dave Kopay? Billie Jean King?
