Rumors of Tiger Woods' Sex Tape and Bisexuality Create Little Stir

It was alleged this week by different sources that there is a Tiger Woods sex tape that has been offered to Vivid Entertainment, and that Tiger Woods is bisexual. Even two months ago, either one of these accusations would have likely been dismissed by most as ridiculous gossip. If, however, either were somehow thought to be true, they both would have made enormous news.

Here in the early stages of 2010, however, neither reports of a Tiger Woods' sex tape nor allegations by one of his former mistresses, Loredana Jolie, of Woods' bisexuality are creating much of a stir in the sports and gossip worlds. How amazingly fast and severe has Woods' fallen from grace been?

A few weeks ago, I commented on how rumors of a Woods' love child barely caused a stir. Now, with a rumored Tiger Woods' sex tape and allegations of his bisexuality in the news, it seems to be creating even less buzz. While I would like to believe that the lack of caring over Woods' sexual preference is a sign of progress in acceptance in our society (and perhaps it is to a small degree), I suspect it has far more to do with the fact that nothing about Woods surprises anybody anymore.

Now, to this point both the existence of a Woods sex tape as well any evidence of his bisexuality are not readily available to the world at large. But thus far, it would seem, most every 'major' story that has been broken about Woods has been ultimately proven correct, no matter how salacious and shocking. While that fact does not mean there is certainly a Woods' sex tape nor that he ever had sex with men, it is difficult to dismiss either rumor out of hand at this point either.

If either is proven to be true, surely there will be some level of curiosity and 'buzz'. But probably nowhere near the level created after a relatively minor one car accident after a domestic dispute. How quaint, by the way, does the notion of concern over Woods after hitting a fire hydrant seem today?

While Woods surely would like all of the negative publicity to go away to the extent possible (and then some), ironically, the ultimate indignity in many ways as that people may simply shrug if and when a Woods' sex tape surfaces, or if compelling enough accounts of bisexual activity are given. While just two months ago, Woods was arguably the most admired and marketable athlete in the country, and perhaps the world, today there is hardly anything left, short of a serious crime, that would further diminish his reputation.

The silver lining for Woods (and it is a sliver of a silver lining), is that he is an athlete. A politician, a businessman, a teacher or a doctor would likely never really climb out of this hole. Athletes, and perhaps actors and musicians, however, always have a shot at some level of redemption in the eyes of the public. After all, they all are in the business of providing an escape. They offer their fans a chance to suspend reality and watch their performance. While at first the revelation that they are human and in some cases deeply flawed generates even more reaction than it would for the people in the aforementioned occupations, what will ultimately really matter to most is whether Woods can still perform at elite levels in golf.

The other factor playing in Woods' favor is that today, pornography and bisexuality are accepted in the mainstream more than ever. With Porn 2.0 bringing porn to the masses (for free no less) and with plenty of mainstream stars openly living alternative lifestyles, the public is far more accepting than it would have been thirty, twenty, and even ten years ago.

If a Woods sex tape does exist and made public, it will undoubtedly be viewed by millions...and few will ever forget it. And if Woods is bisexual or had sex with men, it will definitely not be forgotten. But ultimately sports fans in general and golf fans in particular will return to cheer a man many consider to be the best golfer in history.

Source: CBS News Staff, "Report: Woman Claims Tiger Woods Sex Tape", cbsnews.com
Source: Jacob Osterhout. "Tell-all: Alleged mistress Loredana Jolie Ferriolo claims Tiger Woods had gay encounters", nydailynews.com