{"id":464,"date":"2021-02-20T08:30:27","date_gmt":"2021-02-20T08:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/kaleidoscope\/?p=464"},"modified":"2021-02-26T10:21:58","modified_gmt":"2021-02-26T10:21:58","slug":"lgbt-history-month-20-28-the-unlikely-ally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/kaleidoscope\/2021\/02\/20\/lgbt-history-month-20-28-the-unlikely-ally\/","title":{"rendered":"LGBT+ History Month 20\/28: Allies \u2013 The Unlikely Ally"},"content":{"rendered":"

The world of professional sports is one of the most influential and celebrate industries out there.\u00a0 That said there is hardly any LGBTQ+ representation.\u00a0 The likes of Justin Fashanu, Martina Navratilova and Gareth Thomas, amongst many, many others, have paved the way for representation and support for LGBTQ+ people in sports.\u00a0 These role models have made a positive impact for future and current LGBTQ+ sportspeople, and non-sportspeople, to be part of something that is often hyper-masculinised and regarded as homophobic.\u00a0 So when I came across this unlikely ally, I had to know more.<\/p>\n

Allies are individuals who support and advocate the rights and equalities of others who are marginalised and discriminated against in society.\u00a0 \u00a0In this instance, heterosexual (straight) people who advocate the rights of LGBTQ+ people.<\/p>\n

Over the next few blogs, I will be highlighting key names across the world who are making their voices heard on behalf of the marginalised.\u00a0 In today\u2019s issue, we\u2019re looking at an unlikely ally from the world of sport.\u00a0 Without further ado here's the story of LGBTQ+ ally, retired basketball player and businessman, Dwyane Wade.<\/p>\n

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Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinoise, on January 17th, 1982.\u00a0 He would grow up through a difficult childhood following his parent\u2019s divorce and lived with his mother and her subsequent drug addiction.\u00a0 He and his sister later moved in with their father.\u00a0 By way of avoiding drug and gang culture, Wade took up football and basketball and began playing for on the Marquette University team in 2001, and by 2003 he was drafted into the NBA as shooting guard.<\/p>\n

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Wade\u2019s professional career started with Miami Heat in 2003 and quickly made his mark on the sport, consistently toping numerous rookie statistic boards.\u00a0 Through hard work, consistent training, and numerous injuries, including sinusitis, flu, a knee strain, severe bruising and intense pain, Wade rapidly became part of the elites and was on the 2005-2006 season All-Star Game.\u00a0 In 2006 he would take the Heat\u2019s to NBA victory and win the finals.<\/p>\n

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His career (and injuries) continued with the Heat and by 2008 was at Olympic level, securing gold with the U.S. National Team.\u00a0 Between the 2009-2010 season he was an unstoppable force, taking the Heats to victory over the Chicago Bulls and the New Jersey Nets, and would again be part of the 2010 All-Star game and achieve MVP recognition.<\/p>\n

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In 2012, Wade was making NBA history as the first team to win a championship after falling behind in three playoff series.\u00a0 However, he acquired more injuries, undergoing a knee operation in that same year, and missed a further 28 games during the 2013-2014 season.\u00a0 Following his recovery, Wade was making a strong comeback and would take the Heat\u2019s to the finals against the San Antonio Spurs, where they unfortunately lost.<\/p>\n

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In 2016, Wade transferred to the Chicago Bulls for $47million, but his court streak was waning and the following year he was signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers where it was clear his Miami Heat success had not followed.<\/p>\n

In early 2018, Wade returned to the Miami Heat where his success streak came rushing back, taking the lead against the Atlanta Hawks and the Philadelphia 76ers, ending their 17-game winning streak.<\/p>\n

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By 2019, he achieved NBA history as the third player to score 20,000 points, 5,000 assists, 4,000 rebounds, 1,500 steals, 800 blocks and 500 three-pointers in an NBA player\u2019s career.\u00a0 He went on to play his 13th, and last, All-Star Game, before retiring to spend more time with his family.<\/p>\n