MLB gets first out owner
365gay. com reports the Chicago Cubs have become the first major-league team to have an openly gay owner.
On Oct. 30, the Ricketts family became the new owners of the Cubs, purchasing the team and Wrigley Field for $845 million.
Laura Ricketts, one of the purchasers, is an open lesbian who serves on the board for Lambda Legal, the nationwide advocacy organization for gay and lesbian rights.
“I came out to my family, I would say, early to mid-30s,” she said in a recent interview. “It took me a while to come out to myself and, not long after that, I came out to them. I think that it really couldn’t have been a better experience. They were all immediately supportive. I have been really, really fortunate in that regard.”
Ricketts, 42, is now the first out individual to own a professional sports team. She lives with her partner in Chicago and is one of four members serving on the board of directors for the Cubs.
R.I. guv mulls funeral rights for gays
Boston.com reports Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri must decide soon whether he’ll allow legislation that expands funeral-planning rights to same-sex couples to become law.
Bills recently approved by the General Assembly would give gay couples the same right to plan the funerals of their late partners as married couples.
Rhode Island does not recognize gay marriage.
The Republican governor, a social conservative, opposes gay marriage but has not said whether he will veto the bills.
Democrats hold a veto-proof majority in the Rhode Island General Assembly.
K.C. Chiefs drop player after antigay comments
The Kansas City Star reports the Kansas City Chiefs pro football team released controversial running back Larry Johnson on Nov. 9, the day he was due to return from a suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
Johnson was suspended for criticizing coach Todd Haley in a recent Twitter post and using a pair of gay slurs on his Twitter profile and, a day later, to a group of reporters.
He missed a Nov. 8 game at Jacksonville, Fla., and the suspension cost him about $330,000. He also ended his Chiefs career 74-yards short of the franchise rushing record, set by Priest Holmes.
— Larry Nichols