Jocks 2: True Stories of America's Gay Male Athletes

In addition to becoming a nationwide bestseller, Jocks changed the face of athletics forever. Gay athletes realized they were not alone, young gay athletes discovered role models, and straight people learned that gay people are their teammates and coaches. Much has changed since its publication in 1998: Gay jocks are coming out even in high school, gay sports teams compete in every major city, and in almost every major sport-even testosterone-fueled contests such as rodeo, snowboarding, and mountain biking-there are openly gay competitors. But the locker room is still far from a friendly place for out athletes, so with Jocks 2, author and journalist Dan Woog introduces us to a group of gay athletes including:

The first openly gay college athletic director in the United States. .
A gay mountaineer who became the first deaf instructor hired by Outward Bound. .
An Ironman competitor. .
An HIV-positive former street hustler whose life was changed by wrestling. .
A student manager driven from his college team by the athletes he admired. .
A baseball fanatic who finally found self-esteem on the diamond.

These pointed, dynamic, and often triumphant profiles of gay athletes continue the tradition of illustrating that gay people are the friends, colleagues, neighbors, and teammates of all Americans.

A valuable resource for libraries, educators, coaches, and school counselors in overcoming stereotypes, providing encouragement for gay youth, and dispelling myths about sexuality among athletes.

Dan Woog is a journalist, educator, soccer coach, and gay activist. He is the author of 12 books, including Jocks; Gay Men, Straight Jobs; and Schools Out. His articles and essays have appeared in The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today, and he is a contributing writer for The Advocate magazine. He lives in Westport, Connecticut.

Being someone who loves more of the less-known sports, I found the inclusion of those kinds of sports very welcome. They give me valuable insight into how those sports have a slightly different view of things, but still have the same problems.

A definite thumbs up.


A must for athletes who are gay, gays who like athletes & ..   November 23, 2002
 7 out of 9 found this review helpful

those who know folks into either or both !! These stories are truly inspiring and insightful, heart-renching and awe-felt! The author did a great job of capturing the role models like Warren Cohn, and the heros like Rafael Cruz Rivera in a way that serves to provide a path for youths as well as pride for some parents. It reinforces the notion that men and women can still be gay and athletic, that being homosexual doesn't force one to leave their masculinity at the door. Well done Dan Woog, and more importantly well done to those whose stories you told.