Matthew Mitcham isn't gay anymore, at least Fox Sports doesn't think so!

First the bad news: In an disappointing about face, the Australian branch of Fox Sports has removed all references of Matthew Mitcham being gay from it's original posting.  Where it originally called Mitcham "openly homosexual", the copy now refers to him simply as "The 20-year-old Sydney diver".  See the screen capture after the jump!

Let Fox Sports know how you feel! Include your comments below!

Now the good news: We've got two great videos of Matthew!  The first is him with his mother and partner Lachlan after the medal ceremony and for those of you who missed his incredible performance, check out the video of all 6 of his dives after the jump. 

Thanks to AfterElton for noticing the change on the Fox Sports posting and Jim at Outsports for finding the video.

Comments

[Ron H.]

Thanks for positing this video compilation. Well worth the 15 minutes to see his six amazing dives. There were no Americans in the mix so NBC relegated their coverage of these events to the wee hours of the night. Matthew Mitcham is an amazing diver, period. That he happens to be gay should be of consequence only to those who will find inspiration in his choice to come out and people who still insist that being gay should disqualify you from athletics, the military and marriage. Bravo Matthew Mitcham!!! Can't wait to see what you do in London in 2012. BTW, regarding the Fox Sports Australia site, do we know WHY they chose to revise their article? Motivation aside, is it really a bad thing? Personally, from what I've read of Mitcham (including his Advocate cover interview a few weeks ago), I think he'd prefer to be referred to by his chosen sport rather than his sexual orientation. Lest anyone think his homosexuality is the real story, Mitcham has proven them all wrong with this amazing win.

[The Promiscuous Reader]

It will be interesting to see if Fox has an explanation for changing the news item. I don't necessarily have any complaint if Mitcham prefers to be known as a swimmer first, and as gay second -- and if he's out enough to kiss his boyfriend publicly after a win, one can't say he's closeted. In an ideal world, it wouldn't be necessary to say "gay," just to say "his partner" or "his boyfriend" or "his husband," just as straight celebrities are seldom described as heterosexual in the media. But we're far from an ideal world, and until we get there, it will be necessary to say these things. One of the signs of the necessity is that Fox decided it was acceptable to closet Mitcham on their site.

[Robaire M Viloria]

Aloha! I believe it's important to chronicle the feat of gay champions so that others do find the inspiration to come out and will know we as homosexuals can endeavor in anything we want.

[Greg W]

Congrats to Fox Sports. Why does Matt's sexuality have anything to do with his performance. I think Matt's own demeanour shows what it is all about. He is not ashamed of who he is but he does not flaunt it. Way it should be.

[The Promiscuous Reader]

Oh, and P.S. now that I've watched those videos.

1) Is it illegitimate to bring in Mitcham's Australianness too? I doubt he minds being thought of as an Australian diver, given the way he drapes the flag over himself. (The way the Olympics panders to nationalism is one of the things that creeps me out about the whole business.) Noticing that he's gay doesn't obscure his achievement, it seems to me, any more than noticing his nationality.

2) I love the sissy little dance he does at about 6:10 in the longer video, and I love him for crying.

[david]

shame on you FOX! A gay man won a gold metal that is the truth and it can not be changed!

[enn]

Instead of sharing FOX and the idiot that owns it . can we just find one English speaking country that will be happy with this dinosaur.

[Bully]

I don't understand and I'm gay...Why would they include sex orientation in their reports. It shouldn't of been in there in the first place. What do you want Fox to do? Break out a list of who is and who isn't...Let's include the maybe's too!

[Matt]

Matthew had said in a previous interview that he wanted to be known as a great diver, not as a "gay" diver.
It has been in all of the newspapers here in Oz, and there's been no hiding the fact that he is gay. In interviews, he's definitely acknowledged Lachlan as a huge support.
C'mon guys, are you expecting him to have draped the rainbow flag over himself too?
I'm so proud of Matthew for being an Australian Gold Medalist as well as an out and proud gay man.
Matthew - you've done us all proud!

[DaKine]

So what? It's his Diving that is the issue here, not his ability to give good head. Why must we label ourselves as a Gay Diver? A Gay Lawyer? A Gay Teacher? A Gay Shop ownwer? A Gay Businessman or woman? A Gay....you get it? Why? Can't he revel in that fact that he is now an "Olympic Gold Medalist"? Does labeling him gay mean that you have a better chance at him? Nope. Somewhere you just gotta kill the dream baby!

[greg Johnson]

The reason its important to label him as a GAY diver is because even today, the stereotype that gay men are only good at being hairdressers or fashion designers persists. Plus, gay men that are not gender normative (ie "sissy") get little respect in the gay community as well as in the wider heterosexual community. Matthew's gold medal puts the lie to these stereotypes.

Notice how at the very end he invites the 2nd and third place winners to join him on the first place podium, true sportsmanship. Yeah Matthew!

[Jim H]

Well duh...because he won a gold on Sunday and no real God in his right mind would let a gay win on Sunday! ;)

[corrective_unconscious]

>It has been in all of the newspapers here in Oz, and there's been no hiding the fact that he is gay. In interviews, he's definitely acknowledged Lachlan as a huge support. C'mon guys, are you expecting him to have draped the rainbow flag over himself too?

Mitcham didn't hide his boyfriend. Fox did, 'cos they don't want no more gossip about anchor Shepherd Smith, or whatever the freeks name is.

The sexual orientation of athletes is normally assumed to be str8, and their orientation is openly discussed in the context of their relationships and spouses all the time. Gay people face systemic discrimination. For the slow learners, i.e., Republikkkans, this is why Fox censoring their reports is significant. It's a matter of rights and of equality, a point which seems to elude a surprising number of posters here.

[John]

There ya go, the Christian whack jobs have control of a news outlet Fox Sports, whats next mainstream news...........OMG will it ever end, life just wont be the same anymore.

[Ron H.]

I was the first to post a comment here and, after reading all of the subsequent posts, decided to do what the author of this article COULD HAVE and SHOULD HAVE done before getting all up in arms about FoxSports Australia. To begin with, it doesn't sound like any attempt was made to contact their website PR person. When the motives for an action are not clear, it's always a good idea to at least attempt to get your facts straight before you launch a protest. If an attempt was made to reach out to them and there was no response (or an unsatisfactory one), let us know. Right now, all the blogger has done is ASSUME the edit was dubious...and you know what they say happens when you assume! Of course, in less than 30 seconds, you can do what I did: go to the FoxSports Australia website and look at the comments from readers posted below the actual article. These are NOT included in the screen grab posted here but most were definitely written in response to the ORIGINAL version of the article. Not only do they provide important context, but their intensity could very well have been the impetus for the site editors decision to change the wording in the article. As you will see, many of Mitcham's fans were outraged that he was singled out for his sexual orientation in an article that had absolutely nothing to do with it. There was little precedent for it in any of the other coverage specific to his gold medal win (on FoxSports Australia and other websites, including that of multiple GLAAD Media Award winner ESPN, hardly a bastion of ant-gay sports coverage) and the call out looks like it pissed off Mitcham's sizable Aussie fan base. Could it be that FoxSports Australia was simply responding to the demands of local site visitors? Could it be that because we are talking about an AUSTRALIAN website catering to AUSTRALIANS that the rules just might be a little different? Here's a nutty thought: perhaps Aussies actually care about the guy's obvious athletic prowess infinitely more than the ridiculous obsession so many gay American's seem to have with Mitcham's love life. I'm just saying, you know, maybe.

[Ron H.]

GREG JOHNSON: Not to take anything away from Mitcham (indeed, he seems like a great guy) but you should know that it is common practice at the Games for all three medal winners in individual events to join together on the gold medal platform for a group photo. It's actually prompted by the facilitators and official IOC photographer standing just out of camera range. I did love overhearing Mitcham ask his female escort if it was OK for him to jump up in the stands and say hi to his "mum." Very cute (and polite to boot, even under the spell of the thrill of just winning a gold medal).

[bao]

But he made his family a part of the story in all of his interviews?

I've read elsewhere that Faux has shown video of family members in the stands etc, for straight athletes.

[Keith]

Too many comments to read so I will just post my thoughts. I think that his story is what the Olympics is all about. A young man who puts everything together and performs at his best and wins gold. Not only gold but the highest score in diving competition at the Olympics. Thats impressive. I think as far as being a reluctant representative of the gay community goes, he did an outstanding job with dignity and grace. Thank you Mr Mitcham for not parading your sexuality around and letting the Olympics be the Olympics and the diving competition a competition among men. What a sexy guy not only in body but in spirit.

[Thom Hutchens]

Poor Fox, they can't help it! Forgive them and forget them. The network isn't worth the trouble, there is a choice, sort of, to get information.
Thanks for posting.

[allan mckinnon]

By reporting his orientation before the medal, I think Fix Sports committed itself to also include it after the medal. I agree the medal is the important part of the story, but as they say in court, Fix opened up the door.

[corrective_unconscious]

>Here's a nutty thought: perhaps Aussies actually care about the guy's obvious athletic prowess infinitely more than the ridiculous obsession so many gay American's seem to have with Mitcham's love life. I'm just saying, you know, maybe.

There's a lot of deranged liars and self haters out there who will do anything to prevent approaching equality based on sexual orientation.

Str8 athletes get their dating status or spouses mentioned all the time. This does not somehow reduce their athletic accomplishments, as you lyingly argue.

Also, the nbc website remarked on Mitcham's boyfriend (in a relatively obscure place,) but the network broadcast did not. This is similar to what you are claiming about Fox Charnel in Australia, but this selective reporting is also a double standard, not something to excuse the networks.

[mikey]

truly exceptional and the fact that he is being himself speaks loudly that he is gay. there is no need to flaunt or goad over the rainbow flag.

[Tom]

Wait.... FOX News did something moronic?!

You're must be joking.

[David]

Fox News say's they are Fair and Balanced, Bullshit

[Ohiney]

Ok, he's gay, that's great, but it's clear in this case who the sissies are, FOX SPORTS!

[Bob]

Okay, so gay or not. Why should that be the first thing we know about this amazing athlete? How does his being gay make any difference in his ability as a diver? I think Fox news was wrong to bring it up in the first place. I don't care if he is gay or straight to me that has no bearing on his stellar achievement.

[Stephen]

Maybe it isn't such a bad thing that they dont HAVE to say he's gay? He is who he is, and his accomplishment makes his sexuality a moot point.
The question is, is this the same FOX News that would censor this information in the USA out of sheer homohobia ?

[Greg Lougayness]

Those 2 are absolutely adorable, if they ever need a 3rd.....

[corrective_unconscious]

>Maybe it isn't such a bad thing that they dont HAVE to say he's gay? He is who he is, and his accomplishment makes his sexuality a moot point.

>Okay, so gay or not. Why should that be the first thing we know about this amazing athlete?

These sentiments would only make sense if sports coverage did not routinely cover the dating, marital and personal lives of other, str8, well know athletes or personalities.

This is not the case - those topics are noted all the time in the media - and so the posters' sentiments make no sense whatever, apart from either homophobia or self hatred.

[David]

Faux Sports is merely an extension of Faux Network, and Faux News: HOMOPHOBIC, ANTI-AMERICAN, and HYPOCRITICAL. I never watch Faux Sports anyway. Unfortuntaely, I am not surprised at this news. People like Faux Networks who hate, just bring BAD things to themselves. It would not surprise me if ANY number of Fox Network "male higher-ups" are somewhere in a CLOSET on their knees - RIGHT NOW! - "giving a job" to some guy. Once I came out, I never "looked back". Living out has been a spiritual, healing experience for me. Homophobic Conservatives bite!

[Lauren]

Fox didn't mention Matthew being gay because closeted queer in denial Bill O'Riley has a crush on Matthew.

[denis]

plain and simple, he is a gifted humanbeing.

[George M Melby]

I'm not surprised at the audacity of Fox being entombed in 17th-18th Century Victorianism. Some day they will catch up to the rest of the world, in the USA or any other country.
As for Matthew being either gay or straight...he is gay and has won the Gold Medal. No one can take that away from him...either gift!

GMMelby, Pastor/Chaplain

[carl edmonson]

Its lovely to see that we Gay men are not only little fishes who think of penises and bottoms only but are professionals at whatever it is we do in our every day lives.

Get that haters of us gay PROUD gay men

[carl edmonson]

Its lovely to see that we Gay men are not only little fishes who think of penises and bottoms only but are professionals at whatever it is we do in our every day lives.

Get that haters of us gay PROUD gay men