Created by Ngozi Ukazu, Check, Please! is the story of Eric “Bitty” Bittle, former figure skater and baking enthusiast, as he navigates through his college years on a varsity male hockey team full of big, supportive, and emotional jocks.
Why is Bitty so afraid of coming out to his team?
Bitty’s fear of coming out to his teammates stems from a very reasonable place: the world of sports hasn’t been the most welcoming to queer people. Consider how many - or rather how few - athletes have come out during their professional years. The fear of rejection, media scrutiny and the lost of support and endorsements can easily threaten an athlete’s livelihood, safety, and health. Why are sports such a historically queerphobic space, though?
Having an interest in sports falls within the realm of hegemonic masculinity in American culture, where Check Please is set. Hegemonic masculinity is a gender construct of behaviors and symbols that function as the highest ideal of masculinity in a particular culture. By doing so, hegemonic masculinity strives to legitimize its superiority over other forms of masculinity and gender expressions. While it is entirely culturally relative as symbols and behaviors depend on the society, sports have historically been a part of hegemonic masculinity across many cultures because they function as a proxy of war, a body-focused completion of strength and physical superiority. Furthermore, and most importantly American hegemonic masculinity also dictates compulsory heterosexuality. Thus, being queer and in sports is perceived as contradictory and a threat upon hegemonic masculinity.
Credit: Ngozi Ukazu
Both sitting on a bench, Shitty looks taken aback yet comforting while Bitty has a calm look on his face.
Bitty: Well.
Shitty: BITS!
Bitty: I know, I know - -
Shitty: Jesus Christ, we’re your fucking teammates! Your friends! Ransom and Holster literally spend half their lives looking out for you - - on the ice and off. And Jack does too. Though the guy hates to admit it.
Bitty: Yeah.
Shitty: We have your back, man. Always.
Bitty: Thanks, Shitty.
Shitty is appalled that Bitty would ever think that the team would physically assault him. However, the fact is that one of the most extreme solutions to restore the status quo is physical punishment. By beating those who dare to trespass upon hegemony, the lines are reinforced, and queer people are shunned once more to the periphery. While Bitty didn’t think his team would react this way, the lingering fear was inevitably there. While Shitty’s appalled reaction is exemplary of his own beliefs and the team’s overall, Bitty’s fear is warranted. Queerphobia is also part of American hegemonic masculinity as it threatens heteronormativity and stoicism. In other words, as proven by his apologetic coming out speech, Bitty fully understands that his presence in collegiate sports is disruptive.