Im sure there are alot of gay poker players who are out and have been out(fslexcduck). They just dont make a blog about it trying to be "the first openly gay poker player". Sexual preference has nothing to do with poker, just like it has nothing to do with if you can serve in the military or perform your every day job. No one cares anymore!

You must not play mtts

There was an attack on a gay man in Santa Barbara recently, if it can happen here it can happen anywhere.

look, i'm happy for the guy, don't get me wrong. Not sure what about my reply offended you, I just really don't care about a persons sexual orientation when i'm at the table with them. But that's his personal blog he can post wutever the f he wants obv

As for my point that he isn't the first openly gay "elite professional" or what have you. I'm not sure on what the definition of high profile poker player is (kind of lol'd at that part, this is the poker world not the nba) but 1 example of an openly gay player would be ben fineman. I'm not going to list every gay poker pro i know cuz it's not necessary, but he's not the first to come out by any stretch.

Vanessa Selbst has been out for a long time. I heard a interview awhile ago where she says that she goes to law school so she can help fight for gay rights. I think it was on pokernews or something. I didnt read Jasons blog but im pretty sure he isnt claiming to be the first openly gay poker player. I think OP title should be changed.

Congrats on coming out. It must have took a lot of courage and I'm glad you opened the door for others who will do the same. Much respect.

There is more than one openly gay high profile poker player. Does broadcasting it and reminding people about something that doesn't matter at all mean openly now?

Allen Cunningham, Robin Keston, Ben Grundy, and so many bisexual ones who like mostly men it is unreal. There is a greater % that is gay playing poker than in the avg. population, I know that.

If we are counting people that aren't even high profile like Jason Somerville, than there are literally dozens at his success level in poker out and proud.

Male. Linda Johnson was first LGBT to win WSOP bracelet. I think that is more interesting.

Bit pathetic to debate semantics and the thread title

Just say congrats, nice blog, and move on.

this

When you're a no-name player, it's easy to keep yourself to yourself, and largely these issues never come up.

When you pick up a bracelet and become a "known" face, it's a different story.

While I'm not a poker pro, if I do end up ever making another televised final table, I'd not hesitate to have my partner there rooting next time. I play in a regular game locally, and I don't think anyone knows my sexual preference, but it's really not a big deal for me, it doesn't define me, and it really changes nothing in my poker game. End of.

But, when one gets more notoriety and a becomes a "big name", it's not as easy to keep your personal life as completely delineated and detached. And while some folks say "what's the big f*!&king deal" (and I agree), fact is - sadly, for some folks it really is a problem. I congratulate Jason first and foremost for being a player who has had such great success in just this last year. But I also congratulate him for being one who is comfortable in being open about who is his.

I don't like congratulating people for finally acting normal and trying to get attention for it.

Yes there can be negatives for coming out, but if everyone just acted themselves there wouldn't be these problems. It's a stag hunt game, and people are just being illogical at this point in history.

Courage? Umm, he wrote a blog post about how he prefers men over women.

Let's hold off the Medal of Honor talk for now.

respect Jason!

Jason writes great blogs, his Cake vids are nuts and he has an excellent grasp on fulfilling his happiness. Best of luck.