10/24/2007
Former Big Ten Basketball Player Zach Puchtel Discusses Sexuality
Former Minnesota Gophers basketball player Zach Puchtel (above, center) interrupted a fashion show last May and told an audience of 3,000 people that he was gay. A fairly big announcement which seems to have led to a much more complex analysis from the athlete himself. Yesterday, in an interview with the GopherHole website he says he's neither gay nor straight.
The GopherHole asks how his former girlfriend reacted to the news:
GH: How did she react when you told her? Was she surprised?
ZP: I had shared some feelings with her, but yeah, she was shocked. She was very understanding. For the record, I’m not gay, I am who I am.
GH: Does that mean that you are interested in dating men or women?
ZP: Women.
GH: I'm a little confused, how is that coming out if you still want to date women?
ZP: I had to find out exactly where I stood with my own sexuality, and so I did.
GH: So...you experimented and realized you did want to be with women?
ZP: I’m at a point that if I met someone and loved them, I wouldn't let their gender get in the way, and I don’t think anyone should.
...
GH: What sort of backlash have you experienced, if any?
ZP: Not much, most people have thanked me for speaking out once again. It feels as though I’m helping people by being myself, and I’ll do that anytime I can.
GH: What do you want people to learn from your coming out?
ZP: I guess the take home message would be that being yourself is ok, regardless of stereotypes and other people's opinions. I believe it was Socrates who said, "Know thyself."
Confused, or simply evolved and fluid with his sexuality? Whatever the case, I appreciate his message. Puchtel, who graduated last spring, hopes to go into the NFL.
He also has a blog, called The Search. In a recent entry, he writes: "I want to play football in the NFL. I believe that I was put on this earth to play football. This is my next goal, and I don't see anything that can stop me. Narcissism and ego aside, the one problem that may arise is the issue of being gay. I am not gay. I am not straight. I am who I am. I am sexually attracted to men and women, and I enjoy being with women in intimate relationships. I think human beings are beautiful, and I try not to differentiate due to sex, race or any other minute detail. We are all humans, we are more than 99.9% similar in every way, and we all share this life together."
Former Golden Gopher comes out [outsports]
“Go Big or Go Home” Zach Puchtel’s Philosophy on Life, Sports, and Coming Out [gopherhole]
The Search [blog]
Posted 1:30 PM EST by Andy in Basketball, I'm Gay, News, Sports, Zach Puchtel | Permalink
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WTF? He's a college basketball player who wants to play pro football? He says he's gay one day, straight the next. He's gay, but wants to date women? He interrupted a fashion show to come out?!!
Somebody has some issues.
Posted by: crispy | Oct 24, 2007 1:39:58 PM
Issues? Yeah, how many highschool/college athletes wouldn't? But still incredibly brave. Very brave young man.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Oct 24, 2007 1:49:21 PM
i think essentially he is saying he is bisexual. i applaud him. a quote that i find perfect is:
Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself ~ Harvey Fierstein
Posted by: J | Oct 24, 2007 1:51:05 PM
Wow is that evolved. "I believe it was Socrates..." -- wait, doesn't Zach know that athletes aren't supposed to wax intellectual? What do we normal folk have left if we can't be both famous sports figures and eloquent wordsmiths? Zach, it's one or the other. We demand you choose!
Posted by: dan | Oct 24, 2007 1:54:08 PM
Okay...Did I just secretly climaxed...Well, not so secretly anymore.
OMG, I find his take on sexuality to be very bold and since I know that it's more common than generally acknowledged, and coming from a culture where such behaviour is widespread, I applaud him for his courage.
@CRISPY...There IS such a thing as bisexuality. And contrary to popular belief, it ain't a one way ticket to gayville!
Posted by: Shabaka | Oct 24, 2007 2:06:04 PM
Also, He went to Harvard, then to Minnesota, and back to Harvard. Yeah, I don't think he's the best decision maker.
Posted by: Jason | Oct 24, 2007 2:08:13 PM
Mmm, the guy on the left in the first pic has a pretty face. But they are all just so skinny..
Oh yeah, good on him to experiment for himself.
Posted by: beergoggles | Oct 24, 2007 2:08:54 PM
Why come out as gay if you think you are bisexual? And why come out as gay (or claim to be bisexual) if you are interested in dating and intimacy only with women? He sounds confused rather than evolved - anybody can quote Socrates...
Posted by: kipp | Oct 24, 2007 2:11:01 PM
I agree with Kipp. He's one confused puppy who's back-peddling big time. And a two-word quote from Socrates hardly an intellectual makes, especially when it's pretty obvious that he doesn't know himself.
Posted by: Jeff | Oct 24, 2007 2:17:57 PM
Puh-leeze, Mary. Quoting a widely used cliche like "Know thyself" does not make one an "eloquent wordsmith." He probably just read it on a plaque in his frat house.
Posted by: crispy | Oct 24, 2007 2:19:05 PM
Jesus you guys. Cut the kid some slack. We are supposed to be the loving supportive ones, he's going to get enough crap thrown at him from the christians/rightwingers. Can we be just a tiny bit more understanding or are we officially bitter queens?
Posted by: secretagentman | Oct 24, 2007 2:23:58 PM
Give me a few minutes with him...all the confusion will be put to rest.
Posted by: Davey | Oct 24, 2007 2:26:25 PM
A callous interpretation might be that he retracted his gay comment because he was "put on this earth to play football," and that's still pretty unlikely in the NFL. And that comment about not letting gender influence who he loves was pretty common among semi-closet cases back when I was in college.
Posted by: Paul | Oct 24, 2007 2:27:12 PM
I don't get it.
Did he play college football or does he just want to play in the NFL?
I'd be more likely to applaud his "openess" if it didn't feel so much like an "oh shit, I want to play in the NFL and don't think it'll go over so well as an out gay person."
Posted by: Dan B | Oct 24, 2007 2:29:48 PM
Brave? Oh Prunella! "I'm gay . . .except I want a woman so I'm not."
Comeback when you've got your act together dear. We have neither the time nor the patience for the likes of you.
Posted by: David Ehrenstein | Oct 24, 2007 2:30:38 PM
I agree with two points being made in the comments above.
One, yes he has some issues, yes, he is back peddling. But he was brave saying what he said in the world he navigates through, sports/jocks, etc.
Two, we should cut him some slack. He may be no child, but he is still pretty young and speaking from experience, I was still working on some issues at his age.
As for bisexuality being or not being a one-way ticket to gaydom, well, I tend to think it is only because I can't imagine having sex with a woman again once you have had cock. ;-)
Posted by: Will | Oct 24, 2007 2:34:01 PM
He seems really confused.
When asked if he dates men or women, he says women. He then goes on to say that he believes gender shouldn't matter to anyone when it comes to love. Of course he ends by saying he's available for intimate relationships with women.
Translation: He wants to lead a straight life with the occasional guy on the side.
As far as Socrates goes, that particular quote is so common and cliche, and didn't George W go to Harvard as well?
Posted by: michael | Oct 24, 2007 2:35:18 PM
David:
For a young man in his early 20s to admit that he "likes" other men IN PUBLIC is brave. Have you forgotten? Things haven't changed that much in his environment of student athletes (or pro athletes--they may be worse).
And don't call me "Prunella" I'm always regular. I need no help.
Posted by: Derrrick from Philly | Oct 24, 2007 2:37:44 PM
Derrick from Philly, darling, one word: overshare.
Posted by: Will | Oct 24, 2007 2:48:05 PM
I guess this is why they created the "Not Sure" option for Myspace's "orientation" field.
Posted by: Graham | Oct 24, 2007 2:51:41 PM
Okay. Here’s some hotness. It’s a Youtube video of Zach Puchtel lip-synching to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” I kid you not.
Zach's Journey
Posted by: Markt | Oct 24, 2007 2:58:11 PM
Sorry, here's Zach's Journey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND8CzDkZE3o
Posted by: Markt | Oct 24, 2007 3:01:17 PM
Dubya went to Yale, no?
Posted by: Jeff | Oct 24, 2007 3:02:23 PM
Good on 'm ! Clearly he has a lot to figure out (like we all did at his age) but that he is willing to do it in public is pretty fucking remarkable especially when you consider his NFL jones.
Posted by: Giovanni | Oct 24, 2007 3:03:46 PM
I love this guy for daring to say and do what he likes. Maybe he DOES want to date women and have an occassional guy on the side, so what? The point of declaring that you, and you alone, are the captain of your ship is admirable. Unfortunately, it's not only the straights who will have a problem, but it's also us, many of whom cannot grasp the idea of liking BOTH men and women. It's always the straight guy who we always want to believe is secretly gay, but when was the last time a gay guy cheating on his boyfriend with a woman?
I applaud this guy for making his own decision and defining himself anyway he chooses for whatever reason he chooses. More people, including gays, should do the same.
Posted by: Do Your Own Thing | Oct 24, 2007 3:10:57 PM
Well...last time I checked, gays were pretty much shunned much the same as bisexuals,in the macho world of sports. Yes?
So if the kid feel inspired by folks like John Amaechi et consorts, then he should come out as whatever he feels like, and that's pretty bold. I don't understand why admitting to being attracted to women is so offensive to some of us!
Posted by: Shabaka | Oct 24, 2007 3:11:46 PM
As I started to read this post, I expected some homophobic garbage to come out of an athlete's mouth, instead I was pleasantly surprised at his brave bisexual revelation...yummy, and wonderful too. Good for him and everyone!
Posted by: Nikko | Oct 24, 2007 3:23:26 PM
This video is even better than Zach's Journey. Zach and another guy, shirtless, in a cafeteria, down on one knee, singing “A Whole New World” from Aladdin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpMMLZeQMdg
Posted by: markt | Oct 24, 2007 3:23:50 PM
He is being honest. He has feelings, both physical and emotional, for both sexes. Whats so weird about that? Only that its weird in our society to be honest about it.
Posted by: Vi Agara | Oct 24, 2007 3:24:19 PM
for the record, that you tube video SUCKS. Though since the person who taped it and posted it on you tube seems to be Zach himself, it only demonstrates a history of doing things for attention....
Posted by: Dan B | Oct 24, 2007 3:25:04 PM
In the words of Butters: Wait, now I am confused.
Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Oct 24, 2007 3:28:41 PM
I just don't understand why everyone (including the gay community) feels it necessary to try and catalog/quantify everything. This world will never be just black and white and it is about time some of us started accepting the fact things are grey. We as a group keep asking people to make that leap but we can't even make it ourselves. (And all this brouhaha about ENDA is evidence enough to prove that already.)
Besides who cares if this guy wants a little bit of everything. I for one applaud him for it.
(And that YouTube video is adorable.)
Posted by: BVC | Oct 24, 2007 3:35:56 PM
Hehe and I thought I was confused : )
Posted by: Rafael | Oct 24, 2007 3:45:21 PM
I came out after high school, went to college as an athlete, and essentially recloseted after joining the team until I just couldn't take it anymore midway through freshman year. And while I definitely feel as though my overall experience in college athletics as a homosexual was a very positive one, you definitely catch a lot of shit from pretty much everyone at one point or another. It definitely motivated me to work much harder than I may have... beating people on the erg was the best way of shutting down any possible commentary from the peanut gallery.
So, even if he is confused and even if he is struggling with things (maybe he isn't like some have intimated), it's great that he is talking about it. What male athletics needs above all, I think, is people that ARE willing to open up the conversation in a productive way... and they certainly don't need to be gay to do so.
Posted by: David | Oct 24, 2007 4:16:12 PM
So, here is an accounting of what I can glean from a two-dimensional and perfunctory examination of Mr. Zach Puchtel:
1. Intelligent
2. Handsome
3. Funny
4. Intellectually introspective
5. Able to push himself into uncomfortable territory (mental and physical)
6. Athletic
7. Goal-oriented
8. Unsatisfied with the status quo
9. Sticks to his guns
10. Self-expressive
No wonder half the blog-clogging bitches here hate this guy. He leaves you (and, frankly, me) in the dust in so many ways.
I would not want to be left by a guy for a girl (too many bad memories of my early days) so it would be difficult for me to date a bi guy, but dating or having this guy as a good friend must be a nice thing.
I wish him good luck.
Posted by: Becks07 | Oct 24, 2007 5:08:06 PM
And I forgot:
11. Precocious!!! :-)
Posted by: Becks07 | Oct 24, 2007 5:12:53 PM
"It's always the straight guy who we always want to believe is secretly gay, but when was the last time a gay guy cheating on his boyfriend with a woman"?
And the latter is supposed to be an exciting thought, how? Are you reading what you write?
"many of whom cannot grasp the idea of liking BOTH men and women"
I'm willing to bet that many gay guys could care less about a bisexual man liking BOTH, it's those that prefer women and who think you're just going to accept being an appetizer (though there ARE some desperate individuals that go along), who get flack. Another is those doublspeakers who pretend to be "gender blind", but have clearly assigned a gender to specific roles to meet their wants/needs.
Even if it sounds insensitive, the simple fact is that the struggles and "coming out" of bisexuals are hardly comparable to those of gay men and lesbians. They are free to go with the other sex, and given that people are "99%" the same, they should easily find contentment in those relationships.
Posted by: Brandon | Oct 24, 2007 5:28:24 PM
Bisexual woman=straight
Bisexual man=gay
Posted by: jmg | Oct 24, 2007 5:44:11 PM
Bisexual woman=straight
Bisexual man=gay
Posted by: jmg | Oct 24, 2007 5:45:09 PM
I think one incredible night of sex with one incredible gay man would cure him of his indecision.
Posted by: Dom | Oct 24, 2007 6:35:24 PM
This guy is so much farther down his path than I was at his age... I recommend that you all check out his blog--its as easy as clicking on "The Search" in Andy's text. "Milk and Cereal" is the entry that corresponds with this posting--the read will be well worth your time. His future partner is going to be one lucky... person.
Posted by: my2cents | Oct 24, 2007 6:53:19 PM
is it just me or does this just sound like somebody who is desperate for attention? I dont think he is brave, I think he is attention starved
Posted by: jacknasty | Oct 24, 2007 9:12:56 PM
And the bullshit award goes to...
Posted by: Chino | Oct 24, 2007 9:28:40 PM
The gay Nazis and the straight Nazis want all men to be classified as "gay" or "straight". This is detrimental to men's health and self-perception. Of course there are gay people, of course there are straight people...but let's not forget that many men are biologically bisexual and do not want to be boxed in.
Posted by: joe | Oct 24, 2007 10:28:25 PM
"It's always the straight guy who we always want to believe is secretly gay, but when was the last time a gay guy cheating on his boyfriend with a woman"?
And the latter is supposed to be an exciting thought, how? Are you reading what you write?
-Brandon, it wasn't meant to be exciting, it's just true.
gay men all like to run around like chickens with their heads cut off screaming "sexuality is fluid, gender is fluid, we're all transgender, blah blah" but the truth is, some men are straight and some men are gay and that's that. My point is, if sexuality is so fluid and there are all these straight men who fool around with guys, then by contrast there should be all these gay guys who also fool around with women on the side, because, well sexuality is fluid, right?
this guy can fool around with 100 women and one man if he wants too. He doens't owe the gay community squat. It's his right to asssign whatever gender roles to whomever he wants....we do.
Gay men only want sexual fluidity when it comes to straight men fooling around with gay men.
This guy gets my applause.
Posted by: Do Your Own Thing | Oct 24, 2007 11:19:55 PM
.but let's not forget that many men are biologically bisexual and do not want to be boxed in.
But, they gladly BOX themselves in with the label "bisexual". Face the facts - labels and categories are real, and are here to stay. Some people don't like to be surrounded by the suffocating clouds of ambiguity, especially when it comes to their affection.
gay men all like to run around like...
No, my friend. You've got gay men confused with people like your new hero, Zach. Nine times out of ten, I hear such talking points from people who call themselves bisexual.
My point is
Well, your "point" and your previous statement don't match. I responded to the latter. You were talking about gay men being excited about the prospects of having a guy they might like return interest, but not find any appeal in the thought of a gay man going to a woman, and to that, I will bellow a resounding DDDUUUHHH!!!. Gay men like other men. That's why I asked you if you read what you wrote.
this guy can fool around with 100 women and one man if he wants too.
Sure can. So.
He doens't owe the gay community squat.
Yet, the continual cries by a few here seem to suggest that they think the "gay community" somehow owes people like him something. Ironic.
It's his right to assign whatever gender roles to whomever he wants....we do.
And likewise people have a right to reject that type of person romantically. Unlike with politics, the equality rhetoric doesn't apply in that area, but some people certainly cry foul to the mean ol' gays when they express that.
Gay men only want sexual fluidity when it comes to straight men fooling around with gay men.
Oh my - the audacity of enjoying the thought (even if it doesn't manifest in reality) of someone you might find attractive, being interested in you as well. Selfish? You betcha. Do you consider that someone else might want the person you have your eye on? I doub it.
Posted by: Brandon | Oct 25, 2007 12:48:42 AM
Y'ALL ARE SOME BITTER QUEENS...GIVE THE GUY A BRAKE....
Posted by: Dakota | Oct 25, 2007 1:02:00 AM
I truly believe that there are bisexual people I believe in the whole gammet of sexuality.
Having said that ,why did he said he was gay?-Why not come out as a bisexual?
Why feel the need to come out as a bisexual man(wich he didn't)and then say that he only wants an emmotional relationship with a woman?-people fornicate all the time and they don't go about lettin it be known.
The truth is that in this country being gay = lame ,defective, stupid. just the use of the word straight as opposed to gay means that gay is twisted or bent.
I wish the guy the best and guys please let's stop calling ourselves names. Don't we have enough people outside our community who do that already? If we don't then we can't complaint when others disrespect us and deny us our basic rights.
Posted by: johnwill | Oct 25, 2007 2:47:24 AM
Oh, he's just one horny guy. If he wants to mess around w/ men and women, more power to him. :D
Posted by: Allen | Oct 25, 2007 9:48:05 AM
the problem with this guy "wanting a little bit of everything," is that in this culture, we are all still not equal. And until we are all equal, I don't want any more far right people thinking I can really be happy with a woman if I just try hard enough. I am 100% gay as are every gay man I've ever met in 29 years. I find it really fascinating that the only bisexual men I know about are in the public eye. Just because you can cook pasta, doesn't make you Italian.
Posted by: Raze | Oct 25, 2007 12:20:13 PM
Bisexuality is only accepted for women? Why is it so difficult for soceity to accept men for being able to fall for both sexes? I'm with Zach: I fall in love with people, don't call my self bisexual, just me...I am who I am and I don't care who I love. Especially the gay world gave me a difficult time with my way of living my life
Posted by: dutchimport | Oct 25, 2007 12:38:14 PM
Ha! I like that analogy, RAZE! Bisexuality is well and alive though, whether or not we like it. And people who are bold 'nuff to say they are, should be applauded, not shunned.
Posted by: Shabaka | Oct 25, 2007 3:12:24 PM
I'm with Shabaka and others who correctly state that human sexuality is (or at least for some can be) fluid. In the world of male athletics Zach is brave in his candid admission of bisexual feelings. Living just an hour from Times Square I can tell you attitudes toward anything remotely "gay" remain far from tolerant. Some posters here should venture outside the gay ghetto once in a while.
Posted by: Brett | Oct 27, 2007 1:15:51 PM
We need more DUTCHIMPORTS--with muscles and big sexy feet.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Oct 27, 2007 1:29:12 PM