Richard Muston, a professional bass fisherman from Hot Springs, Arkansas, insists that reporters continue to put the word “gay” in front of “bass fisherman” and “fisherman” when referring to him in all media.
“It’s important that the barriers I’ve broken be recognized, and I’m not backing down from this” Mr. Muston insisted during an interview between outings at the mid-Atlantic bass Tournament this past weekend. “The fact that I could gain this level of success in the competitive bass fishing circuit serves as an example to homosexual fishermen everywhere. Gay or straight, bass fishing is about a meeting of equals on the water. Nobody should be excluded because of who they love.”
Mr. Muston wiped an actual tear from his eye as he held his rod aloft and pointed with it toward the lake, “I’ve struggled, struggled to make lakes like this a place for all fishermen. Is it so wrong to want a little credit for my pain?”
This issue arose when an article in the Op, Alabama Citizens Register omitted the “Gay” moniker in an interview with Mr. Muston during the Lower Alabama Bass Round-up.
“The article was about how weather affected the fishing action,” said report Skip Callis of the Register. “How was I supposed to know the dude was gay? What the hell?”
“This is about recognizing minority struggle, pure and simple. He didn’t even ask me about my sexual preference in the interview. I was very disappointed.” Mr. Muston angrily defended his demands, at one point sobbing that he would continue his struggle on behalf of all gay male children who wanted to grow up and become professional bass fishermen.
Standing on the dock near the judging stand I watched in silence as Richard Muston, Gay Bass Fisherman, started the motor of his Stratos Bass Boat, turned the bow into the wind, and rode out to battle once again. I couldn’t help but feel that in some way his struggle is a struggle that is shared by all of us.