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."

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/22/opinio...imination-lgbt

http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=1275

[Donger]

Originally Posted by loochy

Well THAT'S pretty messed up.

I'd suggest a more close read.

[WhawhaWhat]

Originally Posted by Donger

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

http://www.snopes.com/politics/sexua...orbeinggay.asp

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Donger

I'd suggest a more close read.

I know the first topic had a reason. I was referring to this part that is messed up:

"The general public thinks it's broadly illegal to discriminate in the workplace -- and it's not illegal," said Gary Gates, a distinguished scholar at the Williams Institute at UCLA's law school. "And it means gay people who are subjected to very overt forms of discrimination and are harassed in the workplace have no legal recourse to file" a lawsuit in most states.

Put more directly: It's technically legal for employers in 29 states, from Florida to Alaska, to place want ads saying, "Gays need not apply," according to attorneys with whom I spoke.

[Carlota69]

Granted, somene could work for a company that has a company policy for not firing based on sexual orioentation, but as far as statewide legilation, heres an article talking about it.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/22/opinio...imination-lgbt

[Mr. Laz]

http://www.policymic.com/articles/11...legal%E2%80%9D

[Carlota69]

This was actually on the yahoo front page
5 things you cant Do if You're gay.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/5-t...dist=bigcharts

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Donger

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

Seek legal recourse for being fired

“Don’t ask, don’t tell” was repealed in 2010, but in 29 states, there’s no law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, and in 34 states, based on gender identity, Joughin says. Last week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA. If passed, it would prohibit employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating against workers on the basis of their sexual orientation, although religious organizations would be exempt. Existing sexual discrimination laws could be used to protect gays and lesbians, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. But experts say that only applies when the discrimination is based on a failure to conform to sex stereotypes.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/5-t...dist=bigcharts

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by Carlota69

This was actually on the yahoo front page
5 things you cant Do if You're gay.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/5-t...dist=bigcharts

At least 3 of these are inaccurate...four, really.

[Beef Supreme]

And Hooters won't hire my fat hairy ass. Ima sue.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

At least 3 of these are inaccurate...four, really.

proof?

[Dave Lane]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/22/opinio...imination-lgbt

http://community.pflag.org/Page.aspx?pid=1275

Anyone that says there is no bigotry in this country is a bigot. Its the number one indicator fallowed by white reverse discrimination claims.

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

At least 3 of these are inaccurate...four, really.

Oh really? Do tell....

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by BigChiefTablet

And Hooters won't hire my fat hairy ass. Ima sue.

ummm ... yea, because that's the same.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by Carlota69

Oh really? Do tell....

You can be gay and donate blood as long as you aren't sexually active. Otherwise, you're in a high risk group for diseases.

You can be gay and adopt a child in every state.

You can be gay and make medical decisions for a partner.

You can be gay and seek legal recourse for being fired.