BwareDWare94 723 Posted April 29, 2013 Why NBA center Jason Collins is coming out now By Jason Collins with Franz Lidz "I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay," says Jason Collins. This story appears in the May 6, 2013, issue of Sports Illustrated. 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. Now I'm a free agent, literally and figuratively. I've reached that enviable state in life in which I can do pretty much what I want. And what I want is to continue to play basketball. I still love the game, and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that. At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful. Jason Collins played with the Celtics and Wizards this season, his 12th in the NBA. Why am I coming out now? Well, I started thinking about this in 2011 during the NBA player lockout. I'm a creature of routine. When the regular season ends I immediately dedicate myself to getting game ready for the opener of the next campaign in the fall. But the lockout wreaked havoc on my habits and forced me to confront who I really am and what I really want. With the season delayed, I trained and worked out. But I lacked the distraction that basketball had always provided. The first relative I came out to was my aunt Teri, a superior court judge in San Francisco. Her reaction surprised me. "I've known you were gay for years," she said. From that moment on I was comfortable in my own skin. In her presence I ignored my censor button for the first time. She gave me support. The relief I felt was a sweet release. Imagine you're in the oven, baking. Some of us know and accept our sexuality right away and some need more time to cook. I should know -- I baked for 33 years. When I was younger I dated women. I even got engaged. I thought I had to live a certain way. I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her. I kept telling myself the sky was red, but I always knew it was blue. I realized I needed to go public when Joe Kennedy, my old roommate at Stanford and now a Massachusetts congressman, told me he had just marched in Boston's 2012 Gay Pride Parade. I'm seldom jealous of others, but hearing what Joe had done filled me with envy. I was proud of him for participating but angry that as a closeted gay man I couldn't even cheer my straight friend on as a spectator. If I'd been questioned, I would have concocted half truths. What a shame to have to lie at a celebration of pride. I want to do the right thing and not hide anymore. I want to march for tolerance, acceptance and understanding. I want to take a stand and say, "Me, too." Imagine you're in the oven, baking. Some of us know and accept our sexuality right away and some need more time to cook. I should know - I baked for 33 years. The recent Boston Marathon bombing reinforced the notion that I shouldn't wait for the circumstances of my coming out to be perfect. Things can change in an instant, so why not live truthfully? When I told Joe a few weeks ago that I was gay, he was grateful that I trusted him. He asked me to join him in 2013. We'll be marching on June 8. No one wants to live in fear. I've always been scared of saying the wrong thing. I don't sleep well. I never have. But each time I tell another person, I feel stronger and sleep a little more soundly. It takes an enormous amount of energy to guard such a big secret. I've endured years of misery and gone to enormous lengths to live a lie. I was certain that my world would fall apart if anyone knew. And yet when I acknowledged my sexuality I felt whole for the first time. I still had the same sense of humor, I still had the same mannerisms and my friends still had my back. Believe it or not, my family has had bigger shocks. Strange as it seems today, my parents expected only one child in 1978. Me. When I came out (for the first time) the doctors congratulated my mother on her healthy, seven-pound, one-ounce baby boy. "Wait!" said a nurse. "Here comes another one!" The other one, who arrived eight minutes later and three ounces heavier, was Jarron. He's followed me ever since, to Stanford and to the NBA, and as the ever-so-slightly older brother I've looked out for him. I had a happy childhood in the suburbs of L.A. My parents instilled in us an appreciation of history, art and, most important, Motown. Jarron and I weren't allowed to listen to rap until we were 12. After our birthday I dashed to Target and bought DJ Quik's album Quik Is the Name. I memorized every line. It was around this time that I began noticing subtle differences between Jarron and me. Our twinness was no longer synchronized. I couldn't identify with his attraction to girls. I feel blessed that I recognized my own attractions. Though I resisted my impulses through high school, I knew that when I was ready I had someone to turn to: my uncle Mark in New York. I knew we could talk without judgment, and we did last summer. Uncle Mark is gay. He and his partner have been in a stable relationship forever. For a confused young boy, I can think of no better role model of love and compassion. I didn't come out to my brother until last summer. His reaction to my breakfast revelation was radically different from Aunt Teri's. He was downright astounded. He never suspected. So much for twin telepathy. But by dinner that night, he was full of brotherly love. For the first time in our lives, he wanted to step in and protect me. Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/news/20130429/jason-collins-gay-nba-player/#ixzz2RrupZ0bh Good on him. Hopefully this creates a floodgate situation and more players come out. It's time for acceptance on a national level. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted April 29, 2013 (edited) This is a huge step in the right direction for gay rights. Jason Collins Edited April 29, 2013 by RogerGoodellSucks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NaTaS+ 958 Posted April 29, 2013 DIdn't take that long before some major sports star to stick their foot in their mouth... Mike Wallace is such a douchebag. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CARDINAL 205 Posted April 29, 2013 DIdn't take that long before some major sports star to stick their foot in their mouth... Mike Wallace is such a douchebag. Mike Wallace is entitled to his own opinion, even though some people may disagree with it. Is Jason Collins that good of a player anyways? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NaTaS+ 958 Posted April 29, 2013 Mike Wallace is entitled to his own opinion, even though some people may disagree with it. And I'm entitled to have my own opinion about Mike Wallace's dickbag statement. It's not even an opinion, really. It's not like he says "Homosexuality is a sin" or "It's wrong". He acts like gay people have a choice. As if they decided on day to be different and be outcasts for shits and giggles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CARDINAL 205 Posted April 29, 2013 And I'm entitled to have my own opinion about Mike Wallace's dickbag statement. It's not even an opinion, really. It's not like he says "Homosexuality is a sin" or "It's wrong". He acts like gay people have a choice. As if they decided on day to be different and be outcasts for shits and giggles. Yeah I agree with this, that if he rejects or is against homosexuals or same - sex marriage or anything related that is fine, but he really didn't have to be ignorant in that tweet. If he would have made a statement or argument against same - sex marriage or something similarly related like you do, than I think his tweet or blog post or however he would have done it would have gotten more traction and more value. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maverick 791 Posted April 29, 2013 And I'm entitled to have my own opinion about Mike Wallace's dickbag statement. It's not even an opinion, really. It's not like he says "Homosexuality is a sin" or "It's wrong". He acts like gay people have a choice. As if they decided on day to be different and be outcasts for shits and giggles. Woah woah woah. That's another topic of debate in its own right. I've got $20 saying Wallace gets punished for those comments. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Phailadelphia Posted April 29, 2013 (edited) Mark Jackson is about to take some heat for his comments too I imagine. Edit: Chris Broussard too. Edited April 29, 2013 by Phailadelphia Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted April 29, 2013 34/Free Agent/Averages 10 minutes a game I can't wait for all the " Teh NBA haits teh gais" when no one signs him. I question how organic this is, with all the various media outlets practically begging for a gay player to come out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted April 29, 2013 lolMikeWallace. What a tool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BucD+ 648 Posted April 29, 2013 Woah woah woah. That's another topic of debate in its own right. I've got $20 saying Wallace gets punished for those comments. Wait, what's another topic of debate? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted April 29, 2013 Mark Jackson is about to take some heat for his comments too I imagine. Edit: Chris Broussard too. Got any links to comments? I'm actually curious. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JetsFan4Life 542 Posted April 29, 2013 Wait, what's another topic of debate? If being gay is a choice or not I believe is what Mav was saying. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bucman 891 Posted April 29, 2013 Got any links to comments? I'm actually curious. Chris Broussard says that being gay is "an open rebellion" to God http://deadsp.in/3JvM8FE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NaTaS+ 958 Posted April 29, 2013 via The Onion MIAMI—The sports world was shocked today as Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mike Wallace outed himself as a stupid asshole, sources close to the professional football player confirmed. “I’m really proud of Mike for coming out and openly admitting he’s a complete fucking asshole,” said Wallace’s former Pittsburgh Steelers teammate Troy Polamalu after the Dolphins receiver posted on Twitter announcing that he is and has always been an insensitive, ignorant fuck. “Of course, most of us already knew Wallace was a worthless sack of shit just from the way he talked and acted. But for him to have the courage to open up about the fact that he’s a total prick is fantastic. I’m really happy for him.” Polamalu added that now that Wallace has bravely come out as an absolute dipshit, it could pave the way for other professional athletes to reveal that they themselves are intolerant dumbfucks in the near future. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NY Diehard 26 Posted April 29, 2013 Anyone who has a negative opinion towards homosexuality is automatically a scumbag, cool 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bucman 891 Posted April 29, 2013 via The Onion If that is not edited. WOW. Troy put his ass on blast Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBen07 285 Posted April 29, 2013 (edited) Good for you, Jason. This will encourage other athletes to come out for sure. And to Mike Wallace: shut your fucking mouth, you ignorant asshole. Edited April 29, 2013 by BigBen07 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Phailadelphia Posted April 29, 2013 Got any links to comments? I'm actually curious. I'm sure there out there but I don't have any, no. I just watched it develop on Twitter. Mark Jackson basically said "I'll pray for him and his family" but left open to interpretation whether he meant praying that Collins' family gets through this OK or praying because he disapproves of his coming out. He doesn't necessarily deserve heat for that kind of comment but he's probably going to get it until he clarifies his statements. And Chris Broussard basically said Collins is not a Christian because he's gay. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NaTaS+ 958 Posted April 29, 2013 Anyone who has a negative opinion towards homosexuality is automatically a scumbag, cool Not at all, not even close. I don't think anyone is implying that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blotsfan 2,112 Posted April 30, 2013 Anyone who has a negative opinion towards homosexuality is automatically a scumbag, cool No, just that they have a very scummy opinion. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014 Posted April 30, 2013 Chris Broussard says that being gay is "an open rebellion" to God http://deadsp.in/3JvM8FE How have you never heard of The Onion? And fucking christ, Wallace. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted April 30, 2013 Good thing he's not embarassing the Steelers anymore. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
