Openly Gay Basketball Player Recruited by the ABA
December 1, 2008
![Mike Survillion [Photo from RockDogsBasketball.com]](http://www.rockdogsbasketball.com/images/comprofiler/plug_profilegallery/76/tnpg_1009332989.jpg)
Mike Survillion - Photo from RockDogsBasketball.com
“We had 32 players and have cut down to about 17,” Dee Minor, Rumble vice president of team operations, told the Bay Area Reporter. “Mike is one of the 17. At this point, no one has signed a contract. That wouldn’t happen until after Thanksgiving.”
Minor says sexual orientation is not a factor when choosing players.
“In basketball, it’s about athletics. We’re looking for the best semipro men’s basketball team we can put on,” Minor said.
According to Outsports, this makes Survillion the second openly gay male professional basketball player in the United States. Survillion’s Rock Dogs teammate, DeMarco Majors, played with the ABA’s Hawaii team for a period of time. Perhaps the most famous gay professional basketball player, John Amaechi, did not publicly come out until after he left the NBA.
Mike has already shown up on our radars during our previous coverage of Shirts & Skins, in particular when he came out to his mother right before the Chicago championships and when he hit up Amaechi for advice on a professional career. It’s so great to see him following his dreams. Hopefully we’ll hear more about him in the future!
What to Watch: Monday
October 20, 2008
Check local listings Ellen, syndicated (1 hr) NEW - Vice presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden makes an appearance and comes out against Prop 8.
8:00 pm Gossip Girl, The CW (1 hr) NEW - Eric’s mom mentioned last week that he “has a new friend.” Here’s hoping it’s a male friend that we get to meet!
Ted Allen visits with Anthony Bourdain
8:00 pm Dancing with the Stars, ABC (1 hr 30 min) NEW - Keep your eyes on ‘N Sync’s Lance Bass, the first openly gay competitor on DWTS. [read more]
10:00 pm At the Table with Anthony Bourdain, Travel (1 hr) NEW - Ted Allen joins for a discussion of food and life.
10:00 pm Raising the Bar, TNT (1 hr) NEW - In this legal drama, Charlie is having an affair with Judge Trudy Kessler, but rumor has it, he’s only doing it to cover the fact that he’s gay. This week, his “friend” Rafael (played by recent GLAAD honoree Wilson Cruz) is arrested for giving drugs to an undercover cop.
10:00 pm Shirts & Skins, Logo (30 min) NEW - Described as a “stereotype busting reality series,” this show explores the lives of the San Francisco Rockdogs (gold medal winners in the 2006 Gay Games) as they reunite to train for the Chicago National Gay Basketball Championship. [read more]
Shirts & Skins: Sheryl Swoop(e)s In
October 9, 2008
After a loss last week against a pro basketball team, the Rockdogs rallied back and vowed to train harder and to put the needs of the team before personal issues. Logo is showcasing the all-star gay team in a reality series called Shirts & Skins.
In episode four, Olympic gold medalist and openly gay WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes surprised the Rockdogs with a visit.
Swoopes is considered the “female Michael Jordan” and is the first female basketball player to have a Nike shoe named after her – the “Air Swoopes.” She gave the guys some helpful advice about coming out as a gay athlete, encouraging players like Mike to live their lives honestly and openly to everyone.
She also shared the positive reactions she got from many of her teammates and peers.
“After I came out, I went to the NBA All-Star Game,” Swoopes told the Rockdogs. “Shaq came up to me, and K.G. (Kevin Garnett) and Vince Carter came up and they just all grabbed me and hugged me. To me, that was so encouraging.”
The Rockdogs also worked hard on their fashion show fundraiser, hoping to earn at least $2,000 for their trip to the Chicago basketball championships. Raising money for uniforms, equipment and for travel to tournaments is a problem every sports team has to deal with.
After quelling a few grumbles and shaking off some nerves, the show went off without a hitch. The Rockdogs were surprised to find they’d doubled their goal, raising over $4,000.
With money raised and only two weeks left until Chicago, I’ll be waiting excitedly to see how the Rockdogs do next week. Will Jamel realize that being gay isn’t a choice? Will Mike come out to his family? Will Papa Joe finally give some positive words of encouragement?
Stay tuned and find out!
What to Watch: Monday
September 29, 2008
6:00 pm 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, Bravo (2 hrs) REPEAT – A re-broadcast of the annual award show honoring fair, accurate and inclusive representations of LGBT people in the media. Appearances include Janet Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres, Rufus Wainwright, Candis Cayne, and Kathy Griffin. Watch and win a trip to London!
Ellen and Portia at the Media Awards
8:00 pm Gossip Girl, The CW (1 hr) NEW – Serena finds fame at Fashion Week. Hopefully, her gay brother Eric will be there to show his support!
8:00 pm Dancing with the Stars, ABC (2 hrs) NEW – Keep your eyes on ‘N Sync’s Lance Bass, the first openly gay competitor on DWTS. [read more]
10:00 pm Raising the Bar, TNT (1 hr) NEW – In this legal drama, Charlie is having an affair with Judge Trudy Kessler, but rumor has it, he’s only doing it to cover the fact that he’s gay.
10:00 pm Shirts & Skins, Logo (30 min) NEW – Described as a “stereotype busting reality series,” this show explores the lives of the San Francisco Rockdogs (gold medal winners in the 2006 Gay Games) as they reunite to train for the Chicago National Gay Basketball Championship. [read more]
11:35 pm Tonight Show with Jay Leno, NBC (1 hr) NEW – Ellen DeGeneres chats with Jay, and is likely to mention her recent wedding to Portia!
What to Watch: Monday
September 22, 2008
8:00 pm Gossip Girl, The CW (1 hr) NEW - No sign of Serena’s gay brother Eric last week, nor in this week’s episode synopsis, but that doesn’t mean he won’t appear. For five seconds. Maybe. If we’re lucky.
8:00 pm Dancing with the Stars, ABC (2 hrs) SEASON PREMIERE - The three-night premiere begins! Keep your eyes on ‘N Sync’s Lance Bass, the first openly gay competitor on DWTS. [read more]
10:00 pm Raising the Bar, TNT (1 hr) NEW - In this just-renewed legal drama, Charlie (photo at right) is having an affair with Judge Trudy Kessler, but rumor has it, he’s only doing it to cover the fact that he’s gay.
10:00 pm Shirts & Skins, Logo (30 min) NEW - Described as a “stereotype busting reality series,” this show explores the lives of the San Francisco Rockdogs (gold medal winners in the 2006 Gay Games) as they reunite to train for the Chicago National Gay Basketball Championship. [read more]
What to Watch: Monday
September 15, 2008
8:00 pm Gossip Girl, The CW (1 hr) NEW - OMG! Eric should put out an SOS! After an appearance in the season premiere, he went missing last week. Maybe he’ll have more FT with BFF Jenny this week… Or maybe he’ll get his own storyline? JK! U wish
Connor Paolo as Eric on Gossip Girl
10:00 pm Raising the Bar, TNT (1 hr) NEW - In this legal drama, Charlie is having an affair with Judge Trudy Kessler, but rumor has it, he’s only doing it to cover the fact that he’s gay.
10:00 pm Weeds, Showtime (30 min) SEASON FINALE - After the big drug bust, Sanjay was sent on a plane by the feds to protect him. But who will protect little Isabelle from her coked-out mom?
10:00 pm Shirts & Skins, Logo (30 min) SERIES PREMIERE - Described as a “stereotype busting reality series,” this show explores the lives of the San Francisco Rockdogs (gold medal winners in the 2006 Gay Games) as they reunite to train for the Chicago National Gay Basketball Championship.
