MIAMI NICE

OutSports profiles the Miami University hockey team (Muredhawks) not using anti-gay slurs and embracing Brendan Burke's legacy.

Junior defenseman Chris Wideman said he was fully accepting of gay people before Burke’s revelation to the team; Anti-gay slurs have never been on the tip of his tongue

The showers:

While locker room banter is certainly at the forefront of gay athletes’ minds, it’s the showers that often concern straight jocks. The idea of being naked and showering next to an openly gay man makes otherwise confident, masculine athletes become illogically insecure. It’s an issue Burke was very open about with his team. “The coaches were naked in front of Brendan Burke every day and we never thought twice about it,” said head coach Enrico Blasi. “I would expect my players to act the same way.” That attitude has trickled to seemingly Blasi’s entire team; Everyone we spoke to for this article resounded an acceptance of a gay player in the locker room. “One stereotype that people have about gay people is that they’re predators and they’re going to come on to straight guys,” said Chris Wideman. “But the one thing I learned from Brendan is that’s not how it is. The idea that a gay guy is going to force himself on you in a shower is totally unrealistic.” Miele said he has learned not to fear the mythic pack of crazed gays wandering through locker rooms looking for naked straight men to attack. “They see you as teammates and nothing else,” Miele said. “You’re not going to be put into situations where they’re going to make a move on you.” Vogelhuber was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2007 but opted to pursue an education before hitting the pros. He admits the idea might take some adjustment. “Maybe there would be a period of getting used to it,” he said. “But if I had a gay teammate and were showering next to him, I’d grow to not think about it and be comfortable with it, but at the beginning it might be at the back of my mind.” LoVerde, who describes himself as a bluecollar player, said it wouldn’t be an issue for him at all. “I wouldn’t have a problem with showering with a gay teammate,” he said. “I’m comfortable with who I am. I can’t see myself having a problem.”