By any account, Esera Tuaolo has led an interesting life. For nine years, Esera Tuaolo excelled in the National Football League ( NFL ) as a defensive lineman; he played for five different teams and went to Super Bowl XXXIII with the Atlanta Falcons. He played with some of football's greatest athletes, including Packers quarterback Brett Favre. He even sang the national anthem in uniform at several games, including the 1999 Pro Bowl. However, as a gay man in the NFL, Tuaolo was forced to hide his sexuality.
After retiring from professional football, Tuaolo publicly came out of the closet, an event he has described as 'taking off a costume I've been wearing all my life.'
Since that remarkable time, Tuaolo has definitely moved on. He has spoken to NFL employees, telling them how important it is for gay and lesbian employees to have the same benefits as heterosexuals and how crucial it is for the league to be accepting of gay players. He happily has also returned to his first love: music. The talented singer is busy promoting his Christmas EP, First Christmas, which contains a track written and produced by Joe Hogue, a man who's been behind hits by artists ranging from Faith Evans to Roy Orbison. As if all that isn't enough, Tuaolo is also an ambassador for the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago. Oh, by the way, there's the last-but-certainly-not-least responsibility of being a family man; Tuaolo and his partner, Mitchell, have two children.
Tuaolo took time out from his incredibly hectic schedule to chat with Windy City Times about everything from charities to what teams he thinks will be on top at season's end.
Windy City Times: How did First Christmas come about?
Esera Tuaolo: I'm a huge fan of Christmas music. I've been singing since I've been five years old. I'm working with Joe Hogue, a Grammy-winning producer. He told me that he had a song that he wanted me to listen to ( 'Our First Christmas' ) . I fell in love with the song because it reminded me of something I would've written for my adopted children's first Christmas. We are working on a full Christmas album for next year as well.
WCT: So what's on this EP?
ET: There's the single, 'Our First Christmas.' Then, there's the bonus track, 'Silent Night,' which I sing here in English and Samoan, my native language. One of the remixes uses an orchestra and the [ song that's sung in Samoan ] is called the unplugged version because there's no orchestra and it's just me playing the ukelele. Then, there are two more bonus tracks which are basically karaoke; people can sing along. People who've heard 'Silent Night' said that it's the first time it's ever sounded triumphant to them.
WCT: Is it true that some of the proceeds will benefit various groups?
ET: Yes. I've had the opportunity to meet a lot of great organizations; I feel close to several of them. Proceeds will go to PFLAG ( Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays ) , Camp Heartland ( a camp for kids with AIDS ) , the Minnesota AIDS Project, and The Trevor Project ( a suicide prevention hotline for teens ) . The Trevor Project is incredible. I'm not a trained therapist and I realize that teens need someone to call to tell their problems to. To make sure that these groups get their money, people should go to BigE98.com, my Web site. There's a banner for each group and people click on the banner for the organization that they want to get a dollar [ from each CD that's bought ] .
Since I've come out, I've become this role model for GLBT teens. It's been inspiring that I've helped people like [ former NFL player ] Dave Kopay, Martina [ Navratilova ] , and Billie Jean King have helped others. To be included in that group of role models is very encouraging.
WCT: What's your reaction to the presidential election and the voting results regarding gay marriage? [ In 11 states, voters endorsed gay marriage bans on Nov. 2. ]
ET: You know what? I keep hearing that we lost the election because of the marriage issue—but I want to tell my brothers and sisters that good news is coming around the bend. Ten or 20 years ago, we couldn't even talk about anything like gay marriage.
People voted the way because they were scared; Bush was very successful with his fear campaign. ... I hope that the people in those 11 states realize what they did was wrong. After they are educated on homosexuality, they should realize that what we do in our lives doesn't affect anyone else at all. I've asked groups of people how many of their families were affected when marriage was legalized in San Francisco; no one raised a hand.
The [ straight ] brother of a [ gay ] friend of mine sent him a beautiful e-mail. He said that the best thing that his brother could do ( in light of the bans being passed in those states ) was love his partner even more and educate people that their lives wouldn't affect anyone.
I think we should just love each other, go on with our lives, and show that we're beautiful. We [ do matter ] ; there are gay Christians, for example, and I know that God loves me.
Yes, the voting results are depressing, but we have to remember that the man in office is our President also. He's not just the Christian President; he has to answer to us. It's so important that we educate people. We need to move forward.
WCT: Were you involved in diversity training for the NFL?
ET: The NFL's diversity program had me speak last July. I told the front office my life story. However, I also let them know that there are people in the corporate area who are gay and who need domestic-partner benefits and should be entitled to 401 ( k ) benefits.
I brought a picture of my husband's sister, her husband, and their kids as well as a photo of my family. I pointed out the inequalities between the families. When a straight family gets married, there are over a thousand things that are bound automatically to them. However, with gay families, it's different; everything from hospital visits to 401 ( k ) benefits [ is a struggle ] . My benefits—Hello! —I played in the NFL for nine years ... and to know that, when I die, Mitchell doesn't get anything ... .
People say that we want special rights. I don't want special rights; we only want what's due to us. We pay taxes; if you want to make us second-class citizens, then make us a nation within a nation.
By the way, I recently met up with a gay NFL [ employee ] and he told me that the NFL just passed a ruling for same-sex benefits two months after I spoke with them.
WCT: You're an ambassador for the 2006 Gay Games. How did that arrangement happen and what do you do?
ET: [ Co-chair of the 2006 Gay Games ] Sam Coady approached me and asked me if I wanted to be an ambassador. I thought it was a huge honor—although, at the time, I didn't know what the responsibility was. What I do is educate people about the Gay Games and what it means to participate.
WCT: Do you plan on participating?
ET: Yes, I am. I'll probably be doing some figure skating ... I'm just kidding. [ Laughs. ] Seriously, I think I might play some volleyball or tennis.
WCT: Regarding the NFL, who do you think are going to [ the Super Bowl ] ?
ET: It's up in the air right now. I'm a huge fan of both Green Bay and Minnesota. However, if I had to pick teams, I would pick Philadelphia and New England to meet in the Super Bowl.
WCT: By the way, what's the best part of fatherhood?
ET: The best part is that I'm able to teach children everything I've learned, including the positive things and the war stories. It's great that I get to pass on stories like my father has to me and his father did with him. When I'm done with this life, my memories will go on with my son and daughter—although I have to say that every day is a new adventure with them and they want to share things with Little Daddy and Big Daddy.
WCT: I take it that you're Big Daddy.
ET: [ Laughs. ] Oh yeah.
Go to www.BIGE98.com to purchase the CD or send a money order to:
Masaga Inc., Esera Tuaolo, 574 Prairie Center Drive #290, Eden Prairie, Minn., 55344.
