Other Sports NFT: Jason Collins is teh ghey - Page 15

Planetman · 04-29-2013, 10:26 AM

NTTAWWT

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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 · 04-30-2013, 10:01 AM

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Originally Posted by patteeu

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

Not becasue your straight. And if youa re straight and they fire you, they have to have a valid reason. And if they dont, you can seek legal action. Gays? they dont have to have a reason, other than youre gay.

**Saul Good** · 04-30-2013, 10:03 AM

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Originally Posted by loochy

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

I would submit that a person's sexual identity impacts his/her life in nearly all situations, even if at a subconscious level.

Carlota69 · 04-30-2013, 10:04 AM

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Originally Posted by loochy

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.

Yeah, theres a few other things as well. And the marriage issue is a biggie and encompasses so many things that most people dont have to think about.

Just Passin' By · 04-30-2013, 10:05 AM

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Originally Posted by HMc

With the small exception of large swathes of morons that, for the sake of this discussion, I shall call "Christians". Other than that oppressed minority, you're right. There are non-christians that have a problem with homosexuality also, I suppose I shouldn't leave them out.

You'd think people that believe a sky fairy answers their prayers (and often times the prayers of people they know from internet, if what goes on here is any indication) would be more open minded. Alas, it is not so.

Open thread, see this sort of absolute asininity, leave thread wondering how a species with so many ****ing idiots in the gene pool has managed to survive this long.

Carlota69 · 04-30-2013, 10:05 AM

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Originally Posted by Saul Good

I would submit that a person's sexual identity impacts his/her life in nearly all situations, even if at a subconscious level.

Agreed, but its not just about "sucking cock" as some peolpe around here think it is.

**loochy** · 04-30-2013, 10:05 AM

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Originally Posted by Saul Good

How so?

She will reference the list she just gave me.

TECHNICALLY it's true that they have the same rights as everyone else, it's just that those rights aren't presented in the manner in which they would like. Whether those rights should change is up for debate.

Yes, gay people can get married. No governmental body declines a marriage based on whether someone is gay. However, the marriage must be between a man and a woman. (Yes, I know that's very Donger-ish).

Yes, gay people can receive benefits. However, one must be a recognized dependent. That means being a child or being married. That circles back to the marriage thing.

The getting fired for being gay thing - well I really don't know anything about that one.

Maybe the whole movement should be called "gay law reform" or something like that. But yeah, I know what is meant by "gay rights."

I think maybe I just like to argue because there is really no point in what I'm arguing for or against.

**Saul Good** · 04-30-2013, 10:05 AM

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Originally Posted by Carlota69

Not becasue your straight. And if youa re straight and they fire you, they have to have a valid reason. And if they dont, you can seek legal action. Gays? they dont have to have a reason, other than youre gay.

I don't believe that this is correct.

Carlota69 · 04-30-2013, 10:06 AM

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Originally Posted by loochy

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.

True to some degree, but in the end, the key to marriage is friendship, trust, comapnionship, especially in the late years when sex might not be the most important part?

**loochy** · 04-30-2013, 10:08 AM

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Originally Posted by Carlota69

True to some degree, but in the end, the key to marriage is friendship, trust, comapnionship, especially in the late years when sex might not be the most important part?

I think it's the most important part from the beginning. But that is common between homsexuality and heterosexuality.

Carlota69 · 04-30-2013, 10:08 AM

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Originally Posted by Saul Good

I don't believe that this is correct.

Name on state where they could say to you, "We are firing you becasue you are heterosexual?" and that person having absolutely no legal recourse what so ever.

**Donger** · 04-30-2013, 10:09 AM

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Originally Posted by Carlota69

Name on state where they could say to you, "We are firing you becasue you are heterosexual?" and that person having absolutely no legal recourse what so ever.

Name the state where they could fire you simply because you are homosexual and they would have legal recourse.

**loochy** · 04-30-2013, 10:10 AM

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Originally Posted by Carlota69

Name on state where they could say to you, "We are firing you becasue you are heterosexual?" and that person having absolutely no legal recourse what so ever.

Does that really happen with homosexuality within the letter of the law? I'm sure it happens because anti-gays will purposely turn a blind eye, but where is it really legal to do that? I seriously haven't heard of that.