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Gay BBall Player Comes Out At Game & Gets Chased By Opposing Team

W!nston

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Gay Kentucky basketball player comes out at a game, gets chased by opposing team
OutSports | By Cyd Zeigler | 04/01/2015 3:23 pm EDT

20931645c2627427a2dcceb89080279d4e98c5eb.jpg

Dalton Maldonado found freedom when he came out to his Kentucky high school basketball team this season.

Kentucky high school basketball player Dalton Maldonado came out at a game after being called a gay slur. When the opposing team chased him in a car, his team rallied to his defense. Now he wants to help other young athletes in Indiana, Kentucky and the world.

"Hey No. 3, I hear you're a faggot."

It was the last thing Dalton Maldonado expected to hear as he and his team lined up to shake hands at a Kentucky high school basketball tournament last December. His Betsy Layne High School team had just gotten thrashed by an opposing team by 32 points. The opposing team was a staple of the state's top 25 this year; Maldonado and his team just couldn't hang with them that game. The Betsy Layne starters - including Maldonado - had sat most of the fourth quarter, given the blowout. When the game clock hit zero, tempers were low.

As Maldonado turned to see which of the opposing players called him out, he noticed several people staring at him awaiting a response to the slur. Some of them had suspected Maldonado was gay. Others had heard rumors. Only two teammates had ever heard it from his mouth.

Maldonado shot back with all the wit he could muster.

"Yeah baby, can I have your number?"

It was the perfect response - smart and biting. Maldonado had defused the moment, taking the power out of the player's slur. "Put up a strong front," he told himself. "Don't let them know they hurt you."

Inside, he was devastated.

Moments later in the locker room, Maldonado broke down. He had struggled with his sexual orientation for years, confiding in just a small group of people including one of his best friends and teammate McKenzie Akers. He had just that week told his parents that he was gay. While they weren't sure how to take it, they said they still loved him no matter what.

Away from the court with only his team in the locker room, Maldonado slammed his fist against a locker, fell onto a bench and cried.

"I sat back down and realized that I had just came out, and it was definitely not the way I wanted to. Reflecting back to this moment I realize that there was nothing I could do about it. My coach came back in and said, 'one of our players is in pain, you all need to be there for him.'

My teammates asked what was wrong, and what he had said to me. McKenzie told them to stop questioning me, but they kept asking and asking. It just built up this pressure in me.

"I finally stood up and said, ‘I'm gay, I'm gay, okay?'"

Maldonado hadn't wanted to come out while he played sports at all, a byproduct of years of subtle messages about gay men not being capable athletes. Moments after feeling the crush of the gay slur, Maldonado had - in a fit of emotion - come out to his entire team.

"If you weren't there, it's hard to describe how emotional Dalton was," Akers said. "He was crying so hard he was shaking. Like, physically shaking. I felt awful."

It was about to get worse.

After collecting their clothes and bags the team headed to the bus, where some of the opposing team had assembled. They were yelling at the "faggot," ordering him to stay out of the bus and face them. When Maldonado boarded, the opposing team proceeded to pound the nearest window of the bus with their fists as they yelled more gay slurs. When a couple opposing players tried to board the bus to get to him, Maldonado's teammates and coaches forced them back. Once the Betsy Lane team was inside, the bus pulled away.

The opposing team wasn't done. Several of the players got in their cars and pursued the bus. Whether they actually wanted to assault Maldonado or not, they certainly wanted to scare the hell out of him.

"They were making gestures like they were trying to shoot at the bus," Akers said. "And they kept yelling bad things at Dalton. It was scary."

Maldonado's team called the police and school administrators. They were, unbelievably, in a car chase with another basketball team pursuing them because one of their players was gay. As the bus was chased down the streets of Lexington, the opposing coach stepped in and calmed his team as the police met the Betsy Layne team at their hotel and defused the situation.

The team and Maldonado were safe but shaken.

Yet the problems weren't over. They were in the middle of a four-day Christmas tournament, and they had games left on the schedule. The hotel was put on "lock down," with only the Betsy Layne team allowed access to a particular floor. Tournament organizers and school athletic directors were called. The team leaders had known or suspected Maldonado was gay, and they were shaken by the gay slur and ensuing chase that so clearly had an effect on their starting point guard. They still had a couple games left in the tournament, so the question was whether to stay and play the rest of the games or go home.

They would leave it entirely up to Maldonado.

*****​

The story sounds unbelievable, something out of a movie. Yelling gay slurs and trying to attack a player because he's gay? Getting into your car and chasing down a school bus?

When Maldonado contacted Outsports to share his story we were a bit skeptical. There had to be some embellishment. In 2015 it seemed at least 20 years past the point when something like this was possible.

"It's all true," Betsy Layne assistant boys basketball coach Brandon Kidd assured us. Kidd has known Maldonado for many years and played at Betsy Lane a decade ago. Maldonado also sent us photographs of the incident.

"They kept yelling that word," Akers said, wary of saying "faggot" out loud. "They wanted to get to Dalton. It was intense."

The name of the opposing school has been left out of the story because the school is on spring break and administrators were not able to answer emails and phone calls to the principal and athletic director.

While it was a soul-shaking experience for the entire team, in the end it was deeply affirming for them. Kentucky is one of the increasingly shrinking number of states where same-sex marriage is illegal. Only a third of the people in Kentucky support marriage equality.

Yet even in rural Kentucky, the Betsy Layne team rallying around Maldonado is becoming more the norm than the actions of a handful of athletes from the Lexington-area opposing high school. The people of Vicco, a Kentucky city of only a few hundred, recently voted an openly gay man as their mayor and passed a non-discrimination ordinance. Morehead, a town of a few thousand, has adopted the same.

"To this day I haven't lost a friend over coming out," Maldonado said. "I've actually become closer to them. In fact, the one person in my school and on my team I was scared to tell sung the song ‘Same Love' to me as he told me he would always be here for me and was proud of me.

"It was then that I realized how truly blessed I was."

While we at Outsports were shocked by the anti-gay behavior of one team, many may be surprised by the support of another. High school is a trying time for many, and acceptance of kids who are "different" can be a struggle. Those outside of Kentucky assume the locale makes it twice as bad. While Maldonado is Puerto Rican, he said he has not experienced any harassment about his ethnicity since he entered high school. Since he's come out, it's been all roses.

Despite the public perception of sports as a deeply homophobic institution, sports have long been the ultimate equalizer. Yes, there are still big problems in sports. LGBT people like Michael Sam face powerful discrimination. What we at Outsports have found for years - even in 1999 when we started the Web site - is that when athletes come out to their teams, teammates and coaches rally around them far more often than they reject them. Even in Kentucky.

He's one of my players," Kidd said. "And we treated him just as good as anybody else on the team. I didn't look at him being a gay player, he was just my starting point guard."

*****​

After an hour of slurs, car chases and physical threats, Maldonado chose to finish the tournament.

"If we would've went home it would've looked like I was ashamed of who I am, and I'm not ashamed of who I am. I can stand up for myself, and I had my teammates and coaches by my side. I knew we would be okay. God wouldn't let anything happen to us. We had come three hours to a tournament and we were finally playing as a team and coming together."

While some of the younger players - the school is so small that eighth graders play varsity - did choose to go home, the core group of veterans stayed. With one of their teammates under fire, they wanted to make a statement.

For the rest of the tournament, the team had police escorts to and from their hotel and the basketball court. The opposing team was kept well away from Betsy Layne High School. When opposing players tried to do a shoot-around at halftime of a Betsy Layne game, they were quickly removed.

Maldonado's team, which was ranked as high as No. 17 in the state at one point last season, came together over the episode. They rallied around their gay teammate who had been the victim of the worst explicit hate most of these young student-athletes had ever seen. Instead of rejecting their teammate, finally knowing he was gay bonded the team like never before.

"The other starting four even asked me to move into their room on the trip after this," Maldonado said. "This brought us closer together, and after this trip I felt more close to them than I felt in my whole life."

The shift in the team dynamics after the incident was palpable. While Maldonado was the target of the attack, it was the entire team that absorbed the blows.

"After that incident our team really came together," Kidd said. "Dalton had often hung out with the younger players. After that happened the senior boys really took to him and they accepted him for who he was. It was one of those stories, where they all bonded together. They didn't look at him as gay or straight, they just looked at him as their brother."

One particularly meaningful moment came a few games later. Unbeknownst to most of the players, Betsy Layne was playing against another team that happened to feature Maldonado's ex-boyfriend. During a rough play, Akers knocked the opposing player to the ground. When he helped the player off the floor, Maldonado shot him a dirty look. At the next timeout, Akers asked him about it.

"I don't want you helping him up," Maldonado said. Their relationship had not ended well and there was animosity on both sides. "Would you like it if I helped your ex-girlfriend?"

The team got a chuckle out of that. Maldonado loved that they could laugh about it. On top of it all, Maldonado's team beat his ex-boyfriend in the game.

"That felt amazing."

Word of the gay basketball player spread like teen gossip so often does. Other schools quickly got wind of the news. During one game in particular, Maldonado heard the opposing band chanting "fag-got fag-got."

The word simply didn't affect him like it had weeks before. With his team by his side, he had renewed confidence.

"I felt like I didn't have anything to hide anymore, and the fact that they accepted me made it all better!"

All of the support has not come without some internal struggle for various players. Growing up in rural Kentucky, in a town of about 7,000 people, two hours from the nearest city of Lexington, the rule of the Bible can be as powerful as the rule of law. Gay people are few and far between, and local doctrine demands a lack of acceptance of homosexuality.

"It's been hard sometimes," Akers admits. "But Dalton is my friend. I've known him since we were kids. He's always been there for me when I needed him. Now it's my turn to be there for him."

Maldonado has likely played his last game of organized scholastic basketball. He will probably attend Div. 1 Eastern Kentucky University in the autumn. Maldonado, who played varsity basketball in eighth grade and started his final two seasons, is a good player but he's not that good.

While his basketball shoes will stick to pick-up games, he wanted to share his story now because of what he's learned. If he knew his coaches and teammates would have his back the way they did, he would have come out years ago.

"It was so much easier playing my senior year because I didn't have to worry about my parents or teammates finding out because I had already told them. I feel like this can help other young athletes, help them come out. My freshman year I didn't think I would ever come out.

"Now here I am telling the world. "

SOURCE
 

SilverWolf

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Ok...I'll admit it...this story made me tear up a bit....

Good on his teammates for supporting him...
 

brmstn69

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I read this earlier today and to be honest, I find this story just a little bit fishy...

I don't care where they are, if any school team acted in the matter described, calling opposing players "faggot", chasing the bus, physical and verbal threats, etc. Their win would immediately be stricken from the record, they would be thrown out of the tournament, the schools basketball program suspended by the states athletic association, the players suspended from school, along with any staff present that failed to stop their actions, and a criminal investigation for chasing a school bus...

Even in rural Kentucky...
 

Shelter

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I read this earlier today and to be honest, I find this story just a little bit fishy...

I don't care where they are, if any school team acted in the matter described, calling opposing players "faggot", chasing the bus, physical and verbal threats, etc. Their win would immediately be stricken from the record, they would be thrown out of the tournament, the schools basketball program suspended by the states athletic association, the players suspended from school, along with any staff present that failed to stop their actions, and a criminal investigation for chasing a school bus...

Even in rural Kentucky...

That's the same what I've thought, when I've read this article. The action of this school team was not only bullying but it was a criminal act which remembers me to the actions of the KuKluxKlan!
 

gb2000ie

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I read this earlier today and to be honest, I find this story just a little bit fishy...

I don't care where they are, if any school team acted in the matter described, calling opposing players "faggot", chasing the bus, physical and verbal threats, etc. Their win would immediately be stricken from the record, they would be thrown out of the tournament, the schools basketball program suspended by the states athletic association, the players suspended from school, along with any staff present that failed to stop their actions, and a criminal investigation for chasing a school bus...

Even in rural Kentucky...

I really want to believe you're right.

But, this was reported in a journalistic publication which says they did their homework. It should be easy to check out - the police records should all the there, especially since the story says they were given police escorts to and from games.

Not naming the opposing team is definitely fishy though - why would a publication that is supposed to be supporting gay athletes not name-and-shame a school so very very obviously in need of shaming?

If it's true, it's horrific that it happened, and was allowed to happen.

If it's false, it's horrific it was published by a supposedly reputable source.

B.
 

W!nston

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I think the story sounds a bit unbelievable but fact is usually stranger than fiction.

Perhaps there was an incident of name calling and harassment that was 'embellished'. Maybe it is completely fabricated. It wouldn't be the first time an attention seeker cried wolf.

On the other hand it could be true. Truth is subjective and one person's perception is usually different and sometimes WAY different from others' perceptions.

This is Kentucky we are talking about. If this were a story of an incident involving race rather than sexual orientation I'm not sure there would be as much doubt in the minds of many readers.

If this is a hoax we may never know about it but if it's true and there is an investigation like the recent Fraternity scandal in Oklahoma involving race I hope it will get the same amount of attention from the media... but I doubt it will... race baiting sells more that Gay baiting :D

I want to believe the 'coming out' aspect of the story is real. That was the best part of the story to me and would have been worthy of sharing even if there was no harassment involved.
 

brmstn69

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Don't get me wrong, I believe it's entirely possible that something happened, but I think the story has been embellished and exaggerated quite a bit...
 

W!nston

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I like his pose in that pic with those two big balls tucked under his arms ;)
 

W!nston

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Kentucky high school removes gay basketball player from yearbook page
OutSports | By Cyd Zeigler | Aug 12, 2015, 12:02a

20931645c2627427a2dcceb89080279d4e98c5eb.jpg

Dalton Maldonado played basketball for Betsy Layne High School in Kentucky. He came out publicly this spring.

Gay basketball player Dalton Maldonado was removed from the Betsy Layne yearbook tribute to the boys basketball team.

Betsy Layne High School in rural Kentucky this year had a two-page yearbook spread that featured all of the seniors on the boys basketball team. Except, one senior was left out of the tribute: Dalton Maldonado, the team's starting point guard who came out publicly as gay a couple months ago.

This is the latest slap in the face of Maldonado and the entire LGBT community by a high school administration that simply won't accept that one of its star athletes is gay and was harassed for his sexual orientation by an opposing basketball team last December. The school's yearbook has omitted its starting senior point guard from the senior boys basketball tribute page in the yearbook, a deeply insulting blow to an athlete who has contributed to his school.

You can see the two-page spread here - Maldonado is, in fact, missing entirely from the page's call-out list of players (even including underclassmen):

21436283118ec1474fc529b89400c2bffdb9107b.jpeg


Maldonado confirmed with Outsports that each of the other players on the bottom of the page was a senior, and that he is the only player omitted from the page. He commented on Facebook about his omission from the yearbook tribute page, and other actions the school has taken to marginalize him and his story:

Then I had a person [affiliated] with the school tell me what they had learned about the school attempting to cover up the whole story. I recently saw my senior yearbook, I flipped right to the sports basketball page only to find my senior basketball picture missing...which devastated me.

The school has repeatedly refused to answer questions or disputed what Maldonado has claimed, despite various eye witnesses confirming that Maldonado was targeted by anti-gay harassment.

It's pretty disgusting. Principal Cassandra Akers and her staff need to answer to questions about the exclusion of Maldonado from such an important piece of the high school experience of Maldonado and so many other high school athletes.

Thankfully, Maldonado has found support from LGBT people and supporters both in and outside his hometown. This fall he will attend the University of Louisville, which already has provided him with a support structure.

SOURCE

What the fuck?

How immature can adults get? This childish act by school officials shows just how immature.

This young man deserves better. Surely some ambulance-chasing attorney sees a chance to make a name for themselves by filing a civil suit seeking damages for Dalton for the public humiliation heaped upon him by that school, the school board and the entire state of Kentucky. I see this as a denial of civil rights.

Some one needs to slap the silly-shit out of those bigots!
 

gb2000ie

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It really saddens me when schools behave in such pathetically childish ways - what kind of an example is that for kids!

These hate-filled bigots are being entrusted with the education of the next generation, they do not deserve that trust :(

B.
 

W!nston

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Coach says school administrators and coaches have failed gay Kentucky basketball player
OutSports | By Anthony Nicodemo | Aug 12, 2015, 5:30p

21437939a1eef49f0fd67ccbc59cd8129ff0f3f7.jpeg

Dalton Maldonado (#3) found support from teammates after coming out as gay

The coaches and administrators at Betsy Layne High School have repeatedly failed to support and protect out gay athlete Dalton Maldonado, says boys basketball coach Anthony Nicodemo.

There are certain things that stand out as high school memories. Homecoming, prom, senior superlatives. All of these moments are immortalized in a student's yearbook. As we grow older we tend to pull these books out and share stories with friends. You can show your children how you were King or Queen for the day. Athletes can show how they were part of a team.

Unless of course you are gay and from Betsy Layne, Kentucky.

This is what one student-athlete has been forced to endure by people at his high school. Dalton Maldonado was involved in an ugly in-season confrontation with another team last year after being called a homophobic slur. The altercation led to police involvement that has been verified by by various media outlets. Since the story broke Dalton has been shunned by some in his school community. It baffles me.

I have been an educator for the past 19 years. During that time I have coached at a host of schools and held teaching jobs at three different buildings. My student-athletes have always been my first concern. Money for dinner, a ride home and an offer to spend the holidays with my family are commonplace. Over these years my players have been confronted with a myriad of adversity. I was never not there to support them.

This brings me back to Betsy Layne. How in the world are these coaches not supporting this young man? Why is the head coach not standing by Dalton addressing these charges? Where is the principal of the building to speak out against these actions?

We as educators are required to protect our youth. We are mandated to report abuse, mental and physical. Yet in this case, the educators are initiating the abuse. Dalton was clearly bullied and nearly assaulted and no action was taking by the administration. Now, he is left out of a timepiece that lasts forever. I'm sure the school will come up with some excuse to fit their scenario, but let's be clear, this is all about being gay.

Coming out to family and friends is one of the most difficult things to do. Gay, lesbian, transgender, etc. It is gut wrenching and in many times life changing. Educators are supposed to support their students, not bully them. That's exactly what the adults at Betsy Layne High School have done, bully Dalton Maldonado. By pretending the incident didn't happen, it would go away. By leaving such an important photo out of the yearbook, his memory would be undermined. The coaches and administration have caused more harm to their student then they will ever know. Their own beliefs have allowed them to harm one of their students.

New York State enacted a Dignity for all Students Act a few years ago. The law was meant to protect our students from various dangers they may face in the school community. Hopefully someone in Kentucky will hold these adults responsible for their poor judgment. Dalton will be fine. He has been embraced by a community like none other, the LGBT sports community. I fear for other LGBT youth that may face the same harm and do not have that kind of support.

After marriage equality was made legal, many felt that the need for LGBT rights would go away. This case and countless others are proof that we still have so much work to do.

SOURCE

Does anyone else think the name of that high school - Betsy Layne - sounds a little on the Gay side?

Aside from that observation I also noted the reference to the incident involving a team from another school:


Dalton Maldonado was involved in an ugly in-season confrontation with another team last year after being called a homophobic slur. The altercation led to police involvement that has been verified by by various media outlets. Since the story broke Dalton has been shunned by some in his school community.
 
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gorgik9

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I can only agree with what Sniffit and gb already have said: what an awful behaviour from adults - and not only any adults but the kids school administrators!!! - towards a teenage kid.

This kind of behaviour just makes me puke...
 

trypt

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Brave story, I suspect more and more Athletes will be coming out over the next few years too.
Its a brave new world.
 

Stonecold

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I think people who don't live in areas controlled by Southern Baptists don't fully understand what these people are capable of and what local police are capable of. I personally have seen things that you would not think possible in this day and age where I live. These religious fanatics do not answer to common sense or mans law. I for one do not find it that hard to believe.
 
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