Jason Collins Announces Retirement

I'm sad to hear that Jason Collins is retiring from the NBA but I can't imagine the pressures he has been under since coming out.

It has been 18 exhilarating months since I came out in Sports Illustrated as the first openly gay man in one of the four major professional team sports. And it has been nine months since I signed with the Nets and became the first openly gay male athlete to appear in a game in one of those leagues. It feels wonderful to have been part of these milestones for sports and for gay rights, and to have been embraced by the public, the coaches, the players, the league and history. On Wednesday at the Barclays Center, I plan to announce my retirement as an NBA player… There are still no publicly gay players in the NFL, NHL or major league baseball. Believe me: They exist. Every pro sport has them. I know some of them personally. When we get to the point where a gay pro athlete is no longer forced to live in fear that he’ll be shunned by teammates or outed by tabloids, when we get to the point where he plays while his significant other waits in the family room, when we get to the point where he’s not compelled to hide his true self and is able to live an authentic life, then coming out won’t be such a big deal. But we’re not there yet.

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Jason Collins - It Got Better

Jason Collins blows away gay stereotypes by being a professional basketball player in the NBA.  He figured out he was gay at 16 but waited another 18 years to come out.  He is absolutely adorable.

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Marriott Hotel Supports LGBT

Marriott Hotels want LGBT travellers to know they're welcome to stay with them.  They even started a campaign called #LoveTravels for Pride season.  This makes me very happy when big businesses show their support.  Jason Collins and his boyfriend (for the life of me I can't find his name) pose for the campaign along with other celebrities.

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Jason Collins Signed for Remainder of Season

Jason Collins was originally signed to a ten game stint with the Brooklyn Nets.  He is the first openly gay professional Basketball player in the NBA and I was really worried this would affect his chances of continuing.  I am happy to say that my worries were proven false and the Nets have signed Jason for the remainder of the season.  

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Jamie Lee Curtis Producing Story of First Gay Baseball Player

Jamie Lee Curtis is set to produce Out at Home: The Glen Burke Story, based on the first openly gay Major League Baseball player.  Incredibly, Burke was out to both teammates and management while he played in the MLB in the late 1970s. Burke retired in 1979 and then came out officially in an interview on the Today Show in 1982, becoming the first baseball player to do so.  I can't imagine how much courage it took Glen to come out because years later players are still afraid.  This is what Jamie Lee had to say:

With Michael Sam’s brave and bold statement, he joins the trifecta of American sports — Glenn Burke, MLB; Jason Collins, NBA; Michael Sam, NFL — dealing with gay athletes, and forcing open the door permanently. Our film will clearly honor the force and the struggle to get there.

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Jason Collins Finally Gets Game Time

Jason Collins came out at the end of last season and was sitting unsigned as a free agent until this past Sunday.  He was finally taken by the Brooklyn Nets and given his chance on the court.  He played for just under 11 minutes in his first game but didn't score a point.  That being said he had two rebounds and made a steal, hopefully next game he will blow them away.  I think it's sad that he was unsigned for so long because I truly believe it was a result of his coming out.  I'm hoping now that we can say there is an openly gay NBA player, the stigma will lesson and it won't matter who you love but how you play.

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ReOrientation Part Two: The Transition Phase

This is the second part of TSN's ReOrientation.  I'm so happy they are doing this series but it makes me sad to hear that NBA star Jason Collins still has not been resigned since he came out.  If anyone wanted proof that there is homophobia in sport, take a look at this incredible athlete being ignored because of his sexuality.


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Celebrities Against Russia's Hate

Love Conquers Hate is a campaign started in response to Russia's anti-gay laws.  Celebrities like Jamie Lee Curtis, Wentworth Miller and Jason Collins are just a few examples of big names that committed to repeal the law.  

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Adam Labert and Jason Collins?

I think they would make a very cute couple.  Adam Lambert and Jason Collins did not go to the West Hollywood bar together but they did pose for pictures.  I'm hoping they got well acquainted!

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Jason Collins Discusses Coming Out on Jimmy Kimmel

Jason and Jarron Collins are identical twins and they just went on the Jimmy Kimmel Live Show to talk about Jason coming out.  Both brothers are basket ball stars and I'm happy to see so much love and support for each other.

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First Sports Star to Come Out

NBA star Jason Collins has become the first active player in a major American sport to announce that he is gay. He has come out in Sports Illustrated and it is an awesome article.
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