 "I'm a sociologist who studies masculinity and who believes it not only important to publish research but to also share my results with the public." |
When Eric came out of the closet as America's first openly gay high school coach in 1993, his loyal distance runners experienced overt and institutionalized homophobia. When one of his athletes was brutally beaten by a football player, the media sought Eric as a voice on issues of homophobia and sport. Over the years, Eric saw how much sporting culture promoted homophobia and misogyny. He decided to give up coaching and return to academia to earn a doctorate in sociology. Researching the experiences of openly gay athletes, Eric identified ways homophobia polices the lives of both gay and straight men. Inspirationally, his research reveals how homophobia is on the rapid decline and forms of inclusive masculinity are on the rise. This cultural paradigm shift is permiting men of various sexual identities to experience a wider range of sexual and gendered behaviors.
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