Last week, soccer player Robbie Rogers, who had said he would leave the game when he came out back in February because he didn't 'want to deal with the circus,' had a change of heart.

This recent uptick in anti-gay violence also comes during the same month that three more states passed laws legalizing same-sex marriage and just weeks after NBA veteran Jason Collins revealed that he is gay-and was largely greeted with open arms by the sports world. There have been 29 reported this year, up from 14 in the same period last year, even as hate crimes overall have declined during that time by almost 30 percent. Carson's murder comes at a time when anti-gay crimes in New York City are on the rise, according to the NYPD. 'You look like gay wrestlers.' Morales followed the men down the street shouting anti-gay slurs before fatally shooting Carson at point-blank range just blocks from the Stonewall Inn. 'Look at you faggots,' Morales allegedly said. (Danny Moloshok/Reuters)Ī couple weeks ago, Mark Carson, a 32-year-old gay man dressed in a tank top, cut-off shorts, and boots, was walking with his friend in the West Village when they were approached by Elliot Morales. When Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Robbie Rogers took the pitch on Sunday, he became the first openly gay man to play on a major professional team in the U.S.