“We have the chance to be role models
for other gay folks who wanted to play sports but never felt good
enough or strong enough.”
Mark Bingham was a shining light on one of the
darkest days in American history. On September 11, 2001, passengers
aboard United Flight 93 stormed the terrorists who had hijacked their
plane. The 9/11 Commission concluded this heroism diverted the plane
from its intended target, which was either the White House or the
Capitol in Washington, and caused it to crash in an empty field near
Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Bingham led the counterattack. He prevented the
destruction of a national monument and saved lives. Standing 6-foot-4
and weighing 220 pounds, Bingham was a star athlete, a savvy
entrepreneur, a fearless competitor and a man devoted to his family and
friends. Bingham was the CEO of The Bingham Group, a successful public
relations firm with offices in San Francisco and New York.
Bingham grew up in California, the son of Alice
Hoglan, a single mom who struggled to make ends meet. He graduated from
the University of California, Berkeley, where he helped the rugby team
earn national championships in 1991 and 1993. He played on the San
Francisco Fog, the city’s first gay rugby team.
Bingham hated losing and never backed down. He
once protected his boyfriend from an attack by wrestling a gun from the
mugger’s hand. After being gored at the running of the bulls in
Pamplona, Spain, Bingham showed off the scar as a badge of honor.
About 20 minutes before Flight 93 went down, Bingham called his mother. “This is Mark Bingham,” were his first words.She
immediately sensed something was wrong. “I love you” were the last
words she heard from her son. Alice knew if there was any way to turn
tragedy into triumph, Mark would lead the charge.
The Advocate named Bingham its 2001 Person of the
Year. He was posthumously awarded the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in
2002. The Mark Kendall Bingham Memorial Tournament, an international
rugby competition predominantly for gay and bisexual men, was
established in his memory.
October 11th is a day during which millions of openly gay Americans will reflect on their personal journey coming out of the closet. Their examples offer support and encouragement to those still struggling with their sexual identities.
