CONGRATS to Jason Collins: First Openly Gay ACTIVE American Athlete

Stringer

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MichiganRico

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lvegas

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AMAZING, What a Great role model, now it's time for other sportsmen and women to follow his lead
 

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It's really an incredible step. I honestly wondered if I'd ever see the day where an active athlete came out. I hope it's the first step of many more. It's not that I'm hoping all athletes are gay, or ever suspect that more than a few are. It's that I'm hoping that it just becomes less of an issue, and gets to a point where, similarly to the Hollywood side of entertainment, these announcements are now more frequently met with, "Yeah, and...?"
 

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Congratulations to Jason for such a brave and bold stance.:You_Rock_Emoticon:
Hope a franchise has the courage to pick him up and back up the alleged support from the NBA.

Taken off of FARK.com ---

"HOMOPHOBIA (male-to-male):
The fear that men will treat you, like you treat women." :33:
 

cruztbone

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those of us in CA are especially proud of the fact that Jason went to Stanford university. i cant even begin to thank him enough for the beginning of the end of the Homophobic curtain around pro sports in America. this is so long overdue!
HUGS AND KISSES TO JASON COLLINS, OUR HERO ON THE COURT!!!:
 

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What Jason Collins did is awesome, and so is what dozens of other pro basketball players have done by giving him their complete support.

I'm a huge basketball fan, but honestly all I knew about Jason Collins was that he went to Stanford and is considered an excellent team defensive player. I'd never heard him speak and didn't know anything about him personally. But after reading his essay, I can't imagine a better person to have taken this step.

A few things worth mentioning:

He's not exactly an active NBA player. True, he played for the Washington Wizards this year, but their season is over and his contract is up. He's been a pretty marginal player for the last five years or so, and it remains to be seen whether he ever plays another NBA game.

Also, it seems to me that if one of the top 100 or so players in the NBA come out, that would be a whole different thing. Fact is, even if Collins makes an NBA roster next season, he will do mainly what he's done the last five years -- sit on the end of that team's bench. Players, coaches or fans who don't like the idea of gay men on the court, frankly, won't have much opportunity to complain about Jason Collins. But if a guy who plays 30 minutes a game came out, we'd get a much more serious test of the sports world's tolerance.

Also, there are a lot of smart, articulate guys in the NBA, but Collins' background is exceptional. During his time at Stanford he apparently became close friends with fellow students Chelsea Clinton and congressman Joe Kennedy. Bill Clinton said today that he was proud of his friend Jason Collins. The point is, the guy has an amazing network of of support outside the world of basketball and the usual entourages that surround NBA players. I've heard several sportswriters comment today that they expect a number of other pro athletes to come out now, in the next few days or weeks. I do think it will happen eventually, but I wouldn't bet on an immediate flood.

Still, for all the talk about it, no one had ever done this until Jason Collins did, today. For that he has my total admiration.
 

Q Vee

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What Jason Collins did is awesome, and so is what dozens of other pro basketball players have done by giving him their complete support.

I'm a huge basketball fan, but honestly all I knew about Jason Collins was that he went to Stanford and is considered an excellent team defensive player. I'd never heard him speak and didn't know anything about him personally. But after reading his essay, I can't imagine a better person to have taken this step.

A few things worth mentioning:

He's not exactly an active NBA player. True, he played for the Washington Wizards this year, but their season is over and his contract is up. He's been a pretty marginal player for the last five years or so, and it remains to be seen whether he ever plays another NBA game.

Also, it seems to me that if one of the top 100 or so players in the NBA come out, that would be a whole different thing. Fact is, even if Collins makes an NBA roster next season, he will do mainly what he's done the last five years -- sit on the end of that team's bench. Players, coaches or fans who don't like the idea of gay men on the court, frankly, won't have much opportunity to complain about Jason Collins. But if a guy who plays 30 minutes a game came out, we'd get a much more serious test of the sports world's tolerance.

Also, there are a lot of smart, articulate guys in the NBA, but Collins' background is exceptional. During his time at Stanford he apparently became close friends with fellow students Chelsea Clinton and congressman Joe Kennedy. Bill Clinton said today that he was proud of his friend Jason Collins. The point is, the guy has an amazing network of of support outside the world of basketball and the usual entourages that surround NBA players. I've heard several sportswriters comment today that they expect a number of other pro athletes to come out now, in the next few days or weeks. I do think it will happen eventually, but I wouldn't bet on an immediate flood.

Still, for all the talk about it, no one had ever done this until Jason Collins did, today. For that he has my total admiration.

I respect your point of view however, I have a different perspective regarding the highlighted points above.

He is considered a Free Agent not retired, so this is even more courageous to me. He does not have a contract and would like to continue to play ball. He has in effect challenged the status quo to pick up an openly gay player. Agreed, he is not a superstar. Again, more courageous. Everybody would take a Dwayne Wade or Steve Nash or Lebron James if they announced they were gay. And there are many "bench" players that get picked up and traded for various reasons. All of the reports I have heard indicate that - sexuality aside - Jason's talents are still marketable.

And even if he does not see court time, the biggest fear for the athletes is how they are treated by their teammates in the lockerroom. So, if he is picked up now, and embraced by the team, that is HUGE; another glass ceiling being shattered, and a positive message to young boys, teenaged males, young men, and adult males playing sports everywhere - from play ground to pick up to school gym to professional - stars and benchwarmers.

To be clear, I am not dismissing your opinion, I do see and understand your perspective. I am just looking at it from a different angle than you do. However, we both agree that it is a welcome step forward in the march towards understanding, tolerance, and acceptance.
 
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Stringer

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I respect your point of view however, I have a different perspective regarding the highlighted points above.

He is considered a Free Agent not retired, so this is even more courageous to me. He does not have a contract and would like to continue to play ball. He has in effect challenged the status quo to pick up an openly gay player. Agreed, he is not a superstar. Again, more courageous. Everybody would take a Dwayne Wade or Steve Nash or Lebron James if they announced they were gay. And there are many "bench" players that get picked up and traded for various reasons. All of the reports I have heard indicate that - sexuality aside - Jason's talents are still marketable.

And even if he does not see court time, the biggest fear for the athletes is how they are treated by their teammates in the lockerroom. So, if he is picked up now, and embraced by the team, that is HUGE; another glass ceiling being shattered, and a positive message to young boys, teenaged males, young men, and adult males playing sports everywhere - from play ground to pick up to school gym to professional - stars and benchwarmers.

To be clear, I am not dismissing your opinion, I do see and understand your perspective. I am just looking at it from a different angle than you do. However, we both agree that it is a welcome step forward in the march towards understanding, tolerance, and acceptance.

I agree for the most part. The dude is an active player until he submits his retirement papers.
 

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HUGE round of applause for Jason. You're a brave man.

Story: NBA player Jason Collins says he is gay - The Magazine - SI.com

Brave and - I would like to point out - eloquent. Collins' writing is a very welcome change of pace from the typical Twitter douchebaggery from sportsmen that tends to get picked up on by the news.

Jason Collins is clearly not a dumb jock.

Martina Navratilova has a similarly cogent reaction to Collins' coming out that, I think, lays bare the importance of what he's done.



I believe that, too. This man is saving lives. I've seen the effect that role models like Gareth Thomas and Anton Hysen can have in locker rooms. Collins is making the world a healthier place.
 

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By the way, and not at all the least fact of the story, Jason is a Black Man. He was even intentional about acknowledging his race in his statement.

Homophobia in the Black community tends to be more profuound; synomynous with that of lockerroom homophobia. So, in a very realistic sense, Jason Collins is taking on TWO, deep-rooted institutions of negative gay stigma and ostracism.

It makes what he has done even more outstanding, brave, and challenging.
 

Q Vee

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....
And even if he does not see court time, the biggest fear for the athletes is how they are treated by their teammates in the lockerroom. So, if he is picked up now, and embraced by the team, that is HUGE; another glass ceiling being shattered, and a positive message to young boys, teenaged males, young men, and adult males playing sports everywhere - from play ground to pick up to school gym to professional - stars and benchwarmers.
....

...
Martina Navratilova has a similarly cogent reaction to Collins' coming out that, I think, lays bare the importance of what he's done.

Quote:
This is no exaggeration: Fully one third of suicides among teenagers occur because of their sexuality. Collins will truly affect lives, too. Millions of kids will see that it is OK to be gay. No need for shame, no need for embarrassment, no need for hiding.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/ma...atilova-jason-collins-reaction/#ixzz2RxScfBPqI believe that, too. This man is saving lives. I've seen the effect that role models like Gareth Thomas and Anton Hysen can have in locker rooms. Collins is making the world a healthier place.

Couldn't agree more.
 

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I'm not surprised in the least by the positive response he's gotten from fellow NBA players. On the whole they're sophisticated, thoughtful people -- at least, I think, compared to the players in the other major team sports. Plus, they're young -- mostly 20s, none older than 40.

I think the challenge for gay players will come from the men in their 50s, 60s and 70s who run NBA teams -- the coaches, assistant coaches, GMs, owners, directors of player development, etc., etc. I bet that before the start of next season, someone in a position like that says something regarding Collins or gay players generally that gets him fired.

I definitely agree Collins did a noble and important thing. But he didn't really challenge the old-guard mentality, the way someone will when he comes out after signing a 4-year, $50 million contract.
 

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The problem now might be that Collins' NBA career could be over, and it has nothing to do with his being gay. He's a 34 year old (old by NBA standards) below average role player who's currently not on a team. I hope a team takes a flier on him though, just to see a REAL active player, and the reactions that would draw.
 
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HUGE round of applause for Jason. You're a brave man.

Story: NBA player Jason Collins says he is gay - The Magazine - SI.com

He said in a note to Shaq: "my flopping wasn't because I'm gay." :tongue:

In all seriousness, this is a major milestone and a great piece. Highly recommend everyone read Jason's story.
I agree - very courageous thing to do. I think we tend to forget over here, that the barriers are still higher in the States to this sort of thing.

On that note, I'm kind of disgusted with some of the responses in the media there (but not all, by any means). Some commentator on ESPN ranted about it being against God ('let he who is without sin chuck the first stone' - ie: shut it). And some US footballer ignorantly asked 'why would he mess around with guys when there are so many beautiful women?' Comprehension fail. Oh well.

Good luck to him, and again well done for his courage. :)