NBA player Jason Collins comes out (Sports Illustrated)

[Brickbat]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/news/20130429/jason-collins-gay-nba-player/?sct=hp_t11_a0&eref=sihp

I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay.

I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand.

My journey of self-discovery and self-acknowledgement began in my hometown of Los Angeles and has taken me through two state high school championships, the NCAA Final Four and the Elite Eight, and nine playoffs in 12 NBA seasons.

I've played for six pro teams and have appeared in two NBA Finals. Ever heard of a parlor game called Three Degrees of Jason Collins? If you're in the league, and I haven't been your teammate, I surely have been one of your teammates' teammates. Or one of your teammates' teammates' teammates.

Brave, heartfelt and important. Someday it won't matter. Right now, it's remarkable.

[JimDandy]

1. Woo hoo, Yay Jason!

You are definitely #1 in my book.

[Marrah_G]

2. I think we will see more and more coming out

Great news. No one should have to hide who they are and who they love.

[JackBeck]

3. He wore the number 98 with the Celtics and Wizards

specifically to stand in solidarity with the year that Matthew Shepard was murdered.

Amazing.

[al bupp]

4. This actually quite a touching read

Thanks for posting it.

[Brickbat]

5. I thought so, too.

[JohnnyLib2]

6. Me, too.

He speaks for many.

[tblue]

7. This guy is like perfect.

My new hero. Sending him lots of .

[YOHABLO]

8. It makes me bitter .. sorry but it does.

What about all of us that were in the military and kicked out because of alleged ''homosexual acts''? Sure he's an NBA player and its 2013. Why didn't he come out sooner? Is the time just right or something to come out of the closet? I was outed, humiliated and discharged. No career, no letters of recommendation .. just bu-bye have a nice life. That was 1977. I suppose I should be happy for him .. but like all NBA players and NFL players, they've been pampered and groomed since they were teenagers .. even after their sports careers are over they'll do fine in life. But they'll never know the struggles that some of us have had throughout our lives simply because we're gay. It leaves me thinking about all the crap I've had to endure from other homophobes who've ridiculed and harassed me .. Where were all these professional athletes when I needed them? Now it's just groovy to be gay and in the military .. and now an out professional athlete. Life's not fair is it now?

[morningfog]

9. You think that no gay pro sports player

ever struggled?

You also think that had he come out years prior it would have changed the military's policies?

Sorry, I'm not buying what your selling. What he did was great and he should be celebrated. He is the first active pro to come out. That is huge. Hell no it should not have taken til 2013 to happen, but here we are. It says much about where we are and how far we still have to go. I can't fault him for the timing. That is his choice to make.

[Brickbat]

10. I hope you know that many people who have it "easy" now respect and honor the struggles that you

went through. Change happens, and it can be slow and painful. Some people sacrifice more than others.

And many athletes, pro and amateur, have gone through the same struggles. It's a process, but there is progress.

[noamnety]

11. This is a pretty remarkable post.

Who would have ever thought we'd be talking about how privileged gay black men are?

Regardless of that, I'd encourage you to hold the resentment toward the bigots who discriminated against you, not toward someone who is apparently doing exactly what you think more people should do.