Steroids and the Gay Games: A Quandary?

With all the news that keeps coming out about Major League Baseball players pumping steroids into their veins in an effort to get a cheater’s advantage, I started wondering about the use of steroids in our community, especially in terms of gay men and athletics.

I came across a really interesting dilemma facing some gay athletes:  therapeutic steroid usage.  Many gay athletes (and straight athletes, for that matter) may have actual therapeutic needs for steroids, HIV medical regimens being one of the primary needs.  It is not uncommon for HIV+ athletes to be on steroids for the treatment of some of the medical consequences associated with HIV. 

So, is that cheating? 

This issue is coming up big-time in advance of the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne, after the Federation of Gay Games announced the Cologne Games will have mandatory testing for all events.

In 2006, the Chicago Games tested for steroids in weightlifting, and there were no Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) allowed.  As a result, many athletes were disqualified from competing with other non-positive-testing weightlifters.  Instead, a separate class was created, one for steroid users only.

This reminds my smart-ass persona of the old, old Saturday Night Live skit from the late ‘70s – “The All Drug Olympics” – in which all competitors were allowed – even encouraged – to be on any and all drugs that they wanted to be on. 

But, my calmer persona realizes that there is something much more complex going on here.  If an athlete is taking steroids for a chronic medical condition – such as HIV – should he or she be allowed to compete with non-steroid using athletes?  And I am not just talking about gay athletes competing in amateur events like the Gay Games.  If A-Roid (that’s Alex Rodriguez, the latest MLB juice-head to get caught) had a note from his doctor and a demonstrable medical condition that required steroid therapy, would that be alright?

Moreover, even if an athlete has a medical reason for taking steroids, is that a sufficient reason to allow him or her to compete?  Even if one takes steroids for medical reasons, that doesn’t mean the athlete doesn’t also get some extra side benefits from the steroids, does it?  I mean, you cannot instruct the steroids you inject to” only provide therapy in your body, but don’t build up my triceps and biceps and thigh muscles while you’re in my blood.”  The body – and steroids – don’t work that way. 

What’s the answer here, when we are dealing with medical steroids?  Should any sport – pro or amateur – allow Therapeutic Use Exemptions?

What a mess…

(Photo: Getty Images)

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A Cubs and Northwestern fan, Joe Moag is a major sports junkie, and although he still runs, he hasn't been able to dunk anything more than a donut for decades.

Unless otherwise stated, no particular sexual orientation of anyone depicted is implied or should be presumed.

Comments

[Kelly Stevens]

Greetings Joe,

I would like to correct a couple errors in your blog article. You state that Chicago Gay Games did not allow therapeutic use of steroids for HIV positive participants. This is not true. Chicago did make exception. I can assure you that the Gay Games, which started in 1982 in the beginning of the AIDS crisis, always welcomes HIV positive people to participate. As you may know many HIV positive people have returned to good health from very poor health because of medical steroid use. This is also true for other legitimate medical treatment of other diseases. The Gay Games makes exception for these people. The motto "Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best" will never end for Gay Games.

Everyone can play in sport and culture in Cologne, Germany July 31, 2010 to August 6, 2010. Be Part of It!
www.games-cologne.com

Kelly Stevens
Officer of Communications
Federation of Gay Games

www.gaygames.com