Michael Sam, an All-American defensive lineman from the University of Missouri, announced Sunday that he is gay. Sam is expected to be selected in the NFL draft.Orin Starn Professor and chair, cultural anthropology, Duke Universityostarn@duke.eduhttp://bit.ly/ihXK66Orin Starn is an anthropologist whose most recent book, "The Passion of Tiger Woods," examines the cultural reaction to the golf star's fall from grace following a sex scandal. Starn often studies the intersection of sports and popular culture.Quotes: "Michael Sam may now become the Jackie Robinson of the gay rights movement. He will, next fall, quite likely become the first openly gay active player in any major American sports league.""We have seen a dramatic sea change in American attitudes towards gay and lesbian rights in the last few years, including recognition of same-sex marriage. But if sports was ahead of America in breaking the color line, it's behind the curve of gay and lesbian rights.""Indeed, it is the last domain of American popular culture and the entertainment industry where gays and lesbians have remained mostly in the closet. It'll be ironic if, in fact, the barriers fall first in the NFL, traditionally thought of as the most macho and heterosexual of the major American sports with its gladiator ethos.""That a football star has now come out is a measure of just how powerful the forces seem now to be in America for the full recognition of equal rights for gays and lesbians in this country." _ _ _ _Duke experts on a variety of other topics can be found at http://newsoffice.duke.edu/resources-media/faculty-experts.
