NFT: Jason Collins is teh ghey

[Planetman]

NTTAWWT

Why NBA center Jason Collins is coming out now

By Jason Collins with Franz Lidz

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.

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."

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by loochy

What RIGHTS are gay people lacking in the USA besides the marriage thing (which is in debate, but will probably fall soon)?

While uncomfortable and unfortunate, being mocked or ridiculed does not impede upon one's rights.

Well, they can be fired in 29 states for simply being gay. They also cant recieve pensions from their deceased partners, or file taxes jointly. They cant make medical decisions for their partners either. The list goes on....

[Donger]

Originally Posted by HMc

You've glossed over the leap from "born that way" to "bad wiring", haven't you?

I'd agree to "different wiring". Bad wiring was, and we are both well aware of this, merely low grade trolling on your part. In no way unexpected.

Not at all. They do have bad wiring. If you want to throw different on top of that, it's fine.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

Homosexuality is all about the sex. It's what makes them gay. If you aren't having sex with the same gender...you are not gay.

I disagree with this. If you are sexually attracted to the opposite sex, you are homosexual, even if you don't act on it, IMO.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Carlota69

Who he wants to spend his time and life with. Who he is not only 'attracted" to, but who he is comfortable with spending quality time. Is being with your wife or GF only about "eating her pussy?' like some would say he likes to 'Suck cock"? NO. Its about love, friendship, and companionship.

everyone just immediately jumps to he likes to "suck cock" thing. everyone elses mind goes right to the sex part, and Im saying it isnt all about the "SEX" of it.

But, obviously you are a one dimensional, ignorant person...oh wait, i forgot the

Right, but those things also describe close friendships. The part that makes it homosexual is the sexual part.

If I didn't have sexual relations with my wife (I include kissing and touching and whatnot in "sexual") then she'd just be my best friend and room mate.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

Homosexuality is all about the sex. It's what makes them gay. If you aren't having sex with the same gender...you are not gay.

So you weren't straight until you lost your virginity?

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by patteeu

You can also be fired for being straight in those states.

so lame

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

So you weren't straight until you lost your virginity?

made me laugh

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Carlota69

Well, they can be fired in 29 states for simply being gay. They also cant recieve pensions from their deceased partners, or file taxes jointly. They cant make medical decisions for their partners either. The list goes on....

Ah, well OK then. You answered my question. Thank you for doing that instead of just insulting me like that other dude did.

I really wasn't aware that they could be fired for being gay. I thought that one was actually a part of discrimination, similar to age, sex, nationality, or religion. I knew about the medical, pension, and benefits thing, which I see as a part of the marriage issue.

[Garcia Bronco]

Originally Posted by Carlota69

Well, they can be fired in 29 states for simply being gay. They also cant recieve pensions from their deceased partners, or file taxes jointly. They cant make medical decisions for their partners either. The list goes on....

Your beneficiary on your retirement accounts are your beneficiaries. No one can legally deny you that ability. If they can't designate a beneficiary in their retirement account due to it's structure then you have to realize it's a bad retirement vehicle. This isn't calculus.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

in 30 states it's legal to fire someone because they are lesbian or gay; and in 39 states people can be legally fire for being transgendered

Just because they homosexual?

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

Just to be clear, gays currently have every right that straights have. Let's not forget that and pretend that the laws somehow single out gays.

No they dont.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

so lame

It's true. Gays have equal rights according to the letter of the law...which is the only part that matters.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

So you weren't straight until you lost your virginity?

When I talk about sex I include thoughts and related activities - not just the discrete physical act of sticking it in somewhere.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by Carlota69

No they dont.

How so?

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Carlota69

Well, they can be fired in 29 states for simply being gay.

Evidence of this?