Happy Birthday To Me-Part 2

One of the best gifts I received this year is this book from Gilbert, a friend in New York. He had Esera autograph the book when the former NFL player stopped by in Chelsea for a book signing tour. In the other photo, Esera was a guest performer at the Asian-Pacific Islander Stage at the 2006 SF Pride Parade. Last year, he was one of the marshalls of the parade.

Esera spent nine years in the National Footbal League, the toughest and most homophobic sports ever. He was even good enough to play for the team that went on to the Superbowl, the most watched sportshow in the world. Imagine four to five 300-pound men trying to stop you from running the ball. It takes sheer power to try to take a stand against these other huge players. But what he feared most was being found out that he is gay. In a sports dominated by thrash talkers and "macho" players, being gay is not something that he brandished about in the locker room. And so that was his dilemna. He turned to alcohol to calm his nerves and ocassionally, indiscriminate sex with other men when he was home in Hawaii. He never told them hsi real name.

This book is his struggle to put the nine years spent in brutal sports competition into perspective. He finally found the courage to speak out because he met the man he cannot let go. It is a MUST read for anyone who is contemplating of "coming out" of the closet. His struggle in coming to terms with his sexuality and its relation to the world of sports can bring you to tears. His struggle should serve as a reminder that despite of it being the 21st century, there are still those who wish that gay people never existed.

I met the book's author during the last SF Gay Pride parade. He is one of the most nicest men I have ever met. Sure enough, he was wearing his Superbowl ring: huge football-shaped ring with diamonds. I mentioned to him that a friend gave me his book for my birthday and he distinctly remembers signing one while he was in the Sports Bar in Chelsea! To my friend, Gilbert...a thousand thanks for making this birthday more memorable. Not just for the book but also for your continued friendship as well.