Greg+Louganis

=Greg Louganis=

**Greg Louganis at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.** Greg Louganis was involved in the Gay Rights movement because he himself was gay. He influenced the lives of many people in the gay community because of his large role in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. While attempting a 2 and ½ somersault he smashed the back of his head on the diving board. The thing that was most significant about this event was that Greg Loganis was HIV positive and only he knew (until he had to tell). After he was stitched up he then proceeded to attempt the dive once again. He then went on to win a Sullivan Award for his courage and commitment to the sport. This goes to show that like he said: “we’re all human and we all make mistakes.” Greg Louganis had another secret as well: he was gay, but he didn’t come out about it until 1994 at the Gay Games in New York. He also told the public during an interview with Barbara Walters which was aired on //20/20//. These two secrets are some of the reasons why people think of Greg Louganis as a role model. For Greg Louganis to tell the truth about his sexuality publicly took real courage. It also inspires gays/lesbians of the community not to keep their sexuality hidden for fear of what someone else might think. Greg Louganis was brave and told thousands of viewers not caring about what they thought of him. Even at the Olympics his own teammates had hung signs saying: “fag busters”, but Louganis overcame the teasing and was himself. Also, by attempting the dive for a second time shortly after being injured Louganis set an example that: although we make mistakes we should “get back on the horse” and make the best of it. Another way he has helped is: after he announced his retirement from competitive diving after the 1988 Olympics he went on to giving lectures at youth clubs, drug and alcohol rehabilitation groups, and organizations for dyslexics. He can probably related to some of the people at the groups because as a young boy he suffered from asthma, dyslexia, and depression. These good deeds show that although he is gay he can be just as nice as any other person he is still human. In 1994 he received another award, the Robert J. Kane award, and then afterwards spoke out against Georgia’s anti-gay laws. This proves that he has been playing an important role in The Gay Rights movement. Just think these are only a few ways how Greg Louganis has played an important role in the Gay Rights movement.[|]

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