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kpete

(71,898 posts)
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 11:21 AM Apr 2013

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

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.

....................

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.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/news/20130429/jason-collins-gay-nba-player/#ixzz2Rrld48gS


54 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay. (Original Post) kpete Apr 2013 OP
never heard of him rurallib Apr 2013 #1
Hey... curb yer' enthusiasm. Smarmie Doofus Apr 2013 #6
you're right - being gay in the hallowed hall of the locker room rurallib Apr 2013 #35
he played in 38 games this year & scored 41 points krawhitham Apr 2013 #13
rebounds? blocks? assists? 0rganism Apr 2013 #41
..regular season ends I immediately dedicate myself to getting game ready for the opener of the... Tikki Apr 2013 #2
KNR joeybee12 Apr 2013 #3
Being black wasn't really a mystery. JaneyVee Apr 2013 #4
No, but... TDale313 Apr 2013 #7
No but being an African American I know what he saying bigdarryl Apr 2013 #10
It's good that he has done this but at 34, isn't his career as a player pretty much over? East Coast Pirate Apr 2013 #5
??? Yes. Probably. But.... Smarmie Doofus Apr 2013 #8
Tell that to Tim Duncan edhopper Apr 2013 #11
Duncan scores more that 1 point per game krawhitham Apr 2013 #14
I know you meant the he to be Collins, but your writing is very poor HangOnKids Apr 2013 #25
Are you sure you're on the right site? I did a quick search and you seem to make it a habit pissing WhollyHeretic Apr 2013 #27
Thank You HangOnKids Apr 2013 #32
This guy had already played his last game krawhitham Apr 2013 #34
Watch this space. TDale313 Apr 2013 #37
I'm pretty sure Collins is content with his life and his decision Blue_Tires Apr 2013 #43
Not in these days NBA players have played until there 40 bigdarryl Apr 2013 #12
Shaq retired at 38 krawhitham Apr 2013 #15
I don't think that is a significant part of the story. sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #18
I agree with that. East Coast Pirate Apr 2013 #21
No problem ... sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #33
Yeah Boston Celtics! Yeah Jason! What a role model! sheshe2 Apr 2013 #9
Thanks for highlight, she Cha Apr 2013 #36
Thanks, Cha. sheshe2 Apr 2013 #38
That will be something to see.. knowing the history Cha Apr 2013 #40
I really don't care. GoCubsGo Apr 2013 #16
Du rec. Nt xchrom Apr 2013 #17
I bet George Takei is thrilled. edbermac Apr 2013 #19
he better enjoy it while he can nt msongs Apr 2013 #20
Good for him! MAD Dave Apr 2013 #22
So glad he did this. And glad Bill and Chelsea Clinton spoke up DevonRex Apr 2013 #23
To the people dissing the man's stats, riqster Apr 2013 #24
That's correct Bluzmann57 Apr 2013 #29
^^^ this ^^^ TDale313 Apr 2013 #30
+1 n/t fishwax Apr 2013 #39
Kudos Mr. Collins pinto Apr 2013 #26
There was a rumor about this before he came out ismnotwasm Apr 2013 #28
Glad he came out NewJeffCT Apr 2013 #31
Applause. K&R. Warren DeMontague Apr 2013 #42
He's actually a former Celtic. losangeleslibker Apr 2013 #44
HANDSOME, TOO Skittles Apr 2013 #45
That's what I was thinking too, LeftofObama Apr 2013 #47
Yes he is davidpdx Apr 2013 #48
I think he will have all that Skittles Apr 2013 #52
This has taken a lot of courage for him and I am happy nadine_mn Apr 2013 #46
As a gay man, I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel about this . . . markpkessinger Apr 2013 #49
Doesn't this help those younger LGBT folks you speak of? oberliner Apr 2013 #53
I understand that but being quiet never gets anyone anywhere plus sports is a huge society changer underpants Apr 2013 #54
A message from the Red Sox... Fearless Apr 2013 #50
Kudos to Jason Collins! I hope this will be one more thing to help mucifer Apr 2013 #51

rurallib

(62,342 posts)
1. never heard of him
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 11:27 AM
Apr 2013

I am not much of a sports fan any more. The NBA is boring until the playoffs. So I guess this is a big deal. Took a lot of guts to stand up, but in the grand scheme of things - not the end of the world.

 

Smarmie Doofus

(14,498 posts)
6. Hey... curb yer' enthusiasm.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:34 PM
Apr 2013

It's not about "the playoffs" , or even basketball and it's a "BIG FUCKING DEAL".

krawhitham

(4,634 posts)
13. he played in 38 games this year & scored 41 points
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:44 PM
Apr 2013

Yep that is 1.08 points per game

He had twice as many fouls than points (85 vs 41)

0rganism

(23,855 posts)
41. rebounds? blocks? assists?
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 05:01 PM
Apr 2013

As a center, rebounds are at least as important as points, since the big points are usually coming from the 2-guard and forward positions. For a backup center, 1pt/game isn't out of line. Why obsess about points at what's clearly the end of his career? At 34, he may be having trouble running the floor with the rest of the team, and this is probably his last or second-to-last season anyway.

The main question I'd be asking if I were his coach is, "Can he play defense?"

His average career stats look to be around 21 minutes, 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist. This is not horrible for a bench center.
http://www.nba.com/playerfile/jason_collins/

Tikki

(14,537 posts)
2. ..regular season ends I immediately dedicate myself to getting game ready for the opener of the...
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 11:31 AM
Apr 2013

next campaign in the fall...

This talented man is a professional basketball player who is gay by sexual orientation...
YAY for speaking openly...many young men and women thank you for helping
open the door for others...



Tikki

TDale313

(7,820 posts)
7. No, but...
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:34 PM
Apr 2013

it may have been worth mentioning because being black and gay can carry its own set of complexities (I'm female and white, fwiw, just an observation)

 

bigdarryl

(13,190 posts)
10. No but being an African American I know what he saying
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:38 PM
Apr 2013

Many and I mean many African Americans have a hangup about gays and gay marriage.Try listening to African American radio and see what Im talking about

edhopper

(33,182 posts)
11. Tell that to Tim Duncan
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:38 PM
Apr 2013

Why qualify this brave act. He felt it was the time and he is the first ACTIVE PLAYER to do this. The Celtics are still in the playoff, for at least one more game. He didn't wait for the end of the season. This is a BFD.

krawhitham

(4,634 posts)
14. Duncan scores more that 1 point per game
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:47 PM
Apr 2013

It would have been a miracle if he found a job next season, lets just hope he does not blame coming out as the reason he can not find work

 

HangOnKids

(4,291 posts)
25. I know you meant the he to be Collins, but your writing is very poor
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:09 PM
Apr 2013

It is called having the proper antecedent and you failed to do that. Your first sentence is about DUNCAN and then you launch into a he reference, in good writing that would be DUNCAN, not Collins. You need to work a bit harder on that.

Love the avatar and the UNION stuff too!

WhollyHeretic

(4,074 posts)
27. Are you sure you're on the right site? I did a quick search and you seem to make it a habit pissing
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:17 PM
Apr 2013

on threads about LGBT issues

krawhitham

(4,634 posts)
34. This guy had already played his last game
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 03:30 PM
Apr 2013

No team wants a 34 1/2 year old player who plays 9 minutes a game and scores 1 point

Only thing that bugs me is the fact he is labeled as an active player, he did not come out until he knew he was finished in the NBA

We need a superstar in his prime to come out

TDale313

(7,820 posts)
37. Watch this space.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 03:54 PM
Apr 2013

Someone had to be the first. He is an active player, and frankly this will make it much easier for other players to come out. Plus, my guess is he will find a team willing to sign him. We'll see, but this is a BFD, and no amount of poopooing will change that.

Blue_Tires

(55,445 posts)
43. I'm pretty sure Collins is content with his life and his decision
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 05:05 PM
Apr 2013

even if it means he never plays another NBA game...

(and it's not like he couldn't go overseas if he really, really wanted to keep playing...)

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
18. I don't think that is a significant part of the story.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:55 PM
Apr 2013

In fact, isn't it sad that he had to spend his whole career denying who he really was? Thanks to him and many others who have decided they have nothing to be ashamed of, the next generation of people at the beginning of their careers won't have to suffer as he did. That is the significance of the story. Everyone who does as he is doing, contributes to ending the horrible prejudices people, American citizens, have been subjected to for so long.

sheshe2

(83,324 posts)
9. Yeah Boston Celtics! Yeah Jason! What a role model!
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:38 PM
Apr 2013
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."


Thank you kpete.
***


Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/news/20130429/jason-collins-gay-nba-player/#ixzz2Rs3VKAfz

Cha

(295,899 posts)
36. Thanks for highlight, she
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 03:50 PM
Apr 2013

Interesting paragraph.

Funny how life is.. a sequence of events out of our control sets us thinking on releasing our own fears.

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.

sheshe2

(83,324 posts)
38. Thanks, Cha.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 04:15 PM
Apr 2013

It's great to know that Jason and Joe will be walking together in the Bostons Gay Pride parade!

Cha

(295,899 posts)
40. That will be something to see.. knowing the history
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 04:33 PM
Apr 2013

behind it. It's got to be a huge source of pride, she!

GoCubsGo

(32,061 posts)
16. I really don't care.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 12:53 PM
Apr 2013

And, I look forward to the day when stuff like this goes completely overlooked. But, hey. We have to start somewhere, so thanks for taking the first step to that point, Mr. Collins. You have infinitely more guts than those who are going to hate on you over this.

DevonRex

(22,541 posts)
23. So glad he did this. And glad Bill and Chelsea Clinton spoke up
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:02 PM
Apr 2013

in support for him since they know him. It means more when it's personal.

riqster

(13,986 posts)
24. To the people dissing the man's stats,
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:05 PM
Apr 2013

I give you the words of Dr. Jones in M*A*S*H: "Anybody ever ask YOU to play pro ball?".

Bluzmann57

(12,336 posts)
29. That's correct
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:24 PM
Apr 2013

NBA teams have only 12 guys active at any one time and he's been on some team or anothers roster for many years. I like basketball and I've never been on an NBA roster and never had any hope of doing so. And it's likely that nobody here in DU has ever had any chance of playing pro ball. So hooray for Collins!

TDale313

(7,820 posts)
30. ^^^ this ^^^
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:25 PM
Apr 2013

Seriously, his stats and age have nothing to do with the fact that this is a BFD. The fact that this *is* a first in 2013 should tell people this is not a minor thing. If it was such a yawn it would have happened years if not decades ago.

ismnotwasm

(41,917 posts)
28. There was a rumor about this before he came out
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:18 PM
Apr 2013

I'm so glad he did, and used a wide reaching media to do so. An inspiring man.

NewJeffCT

(56,827 posts)
31. Glad he came out
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 02:53 PM
Apr 2013

I remember seeing him & his twin brother Jarron play in high school (at a tournament in Ft. Myers, Florida that brought in teams from all over the country.). They ended up going to Stanford and doing well there as players.

side note - I dated a girl that had been their babysitter several years earlier. She was also from Southern California, but was going to college in New England.

losangeleslibker

(66 posts)
44. He's actually a former Celtic.
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 05:11 PM
Apr 2013

For those of you that don't know. He was traded to the Washington Wizards who aren't in the playoffs earlier this year. But that's not the point. What he did must've been really hard to do. And doing it while still active is courageous. I don't care what the conservative "patriotic" pundits say, it was still courageous. He's from the same area of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley as me, Northridge. That's something I'm proud to have in common with him. What he did was amazing. And to all the bigots who disagree, fuck you.

Skittles

(152,964 posts)
52. I think he will have all that
Tue Apr 30, 2013, 04:19 AM
Apr 2013

because he is a well-adjusted guy who refuses to live in the closet!! YES!!!

nadine_mn

(3,702 posts)
46. This has taken a lot of courage for him and I am happy
Mon Apr 29, 2013, 07:26 PM
Apr 2013

that he feels comfortable enough with himself and his support network to be open. I agree with the idea that I can't wait until this becomes a non-issue, when finding out a pro-sports player (or frankly anyone) is gay is met with "meh, so what".

In the meantime, I wish him only the best. I know there has been a lot of support, but there are still a lot of homophobic assholes out there, probably in his locker room and to them I say "fuck off"

markpkessinger

(8,381 posts)
49. As a gay man, I'm not sure how I'm supposed to feel about this . . .
Tue Apr 30, 2013, 01:41 AM
Apr 2013

. . . Don't get me wrong: I am happy for anybody who breaks free of the tyranny of the closet and comes to terms with who he or she really is. But I can't really bring myself to call his coming out as being "courageous" or "heroic" -- not when we are six years shy of the half-century anniversary of Stonewall, and not when the man's career is already well-established and he faces little real risk as a result of coming out (other than some possible social ostracization by fellow players). I think I'll save my rainbow-colored ticker tape for younger LGBT folks who come out every day in this country, often resulting in being cast out of their homes, disowned by families and the loss of any kind of familial support as they try to establish themselves in their adult lives.

underpants

(182,271 posts)
54. I understand that but being quiet never gets anyone anywhere plus sports is a huge society changer
Tue Apr 30, 2013, 08:14 PM
Apr 2013

I'm not gay so I am not discussing this from that point of view but all of the changes that we ( and I am white male middle class right down the middle of the road) have achieved didn't come from people sitting and waiting to be invited. I do think this is a big event because it shaves another bit off the old block. Stonewall was the recognized starting point and good for them. This is a big moment from my standpoint. Not earthshattering but all of sports talk radio was about this today and the big question is "Who will be the first active NFL player to come out?" -- because the sports press surely knows of players who are gay.

Sports has been a huge change factor in our society. There are several Jackie Robinson editorial cartoons and articles comparing this today. That may be overstated but sports has showed that merit is valued and in the process showed that merit was not truly valued in other aspects of our society.

Fearless

(18,421 posts)
50. A message from the Red Sox...
Tue Apr 30, 2013, 02:48 AM
Apr 2013

"We salute you, @jasoncollins34 for your courage and leadership. Any time you want to throw out a first pitch at Fenway Park, let us know."

mucifer

(23,371 posts)
51. Kudos to Jason Collins! I hope this will be one more thing to help
Tue Apr 30, 2013, 03:25 AM
Apr 2013

influence the supreme court decisions coming up soon.

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