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."

[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.

[HMc]

Originally Posted by patteeu

It's one thing to single a person out for criticism like you do here with Michelle Bachmann, but it's completely different when you go out of your way to level an attack on a broad group by saying that it's not just one or two bad seeds in a larger group that deserve scorn.

I think it's clearly an "attack" even though I'm not a part of the intended target so it can't be because I'm setting myself up as a victim.

You think it's an attack to suggest that christian (or those that identify as christians, which as best I know is the only test) bigotry against homosexuals is widespread in America? Ok. I mean, that's incredibly odd and impossible to believe, but ok.

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by HMc

You think it's an attack to suggest that christian (or those that identify as christians, which as best I know is the only test) bigotry against homosexuals is widespread in America? Ok. I mean, that's incredibly odd and impossible to believe, but ok.

When is the last time you were in the states?

[HMc]

About 3 months ago, though only for a month.

The American media, good and bad, saturates the English speaking world, though.

[Mr. Laz]

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.

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

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by HMc

You think it's an attack to suggest that christian (or those that identify as christians, which as best I know is the only test) bigotry against homosexuals is widespread in America? Ok. I mean, that's incredibly odd and impossible to believe, but ok.

Yes, I do. I think there's bigotry on both sides of this issue, but I think the way you go about pointing out the bigotry within one particular group comes across as bigoted. Whether you are or are not a bigot is an open question as far as I'm concerned. It might be that you're just not very artful when it comes to the way you express yourself, or it might be that you just don't realize how it comes across because you're so used to hearing it expressed the same way by others who share your opinion, but on it's face, it's the language a bigot would use.

[patteeu]

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

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

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by TEX

Really? And just what do you think defines one as being gay?

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

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by loochy

well in this case, it seems that who he is as a man stems from what he does in his bedroom

No it doesnt. Its only one part of him. And if the fact that you **** women is the only thing that makes you a man, then I feel sorry for you.

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by TEX

No he didn't and no it didn't have to be this way and why does someone have to break the ice? It did not have to be done regardless of what you think.

Don't use the way that it went down to validate your opinion.

Funny, coming from you...
Oh wait, I have to my again.

[lcarus]

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

Of course it isn't ALL about the sex, but one is to assume if a person is gay, they also put their penis in their same genders mouth and butt. Or have the penis put in theirs. Or if lesbians, scissor (or whatever those fellas like to do)

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

When did I say I believed that? I said that I believe God exists.

Gotcha, dind't know you weren't Christian. Incorrect assumption by me.

[Donger]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Well at least you have come to that point of the curve. Grats.

I don't believe that I've ever thought differently on the subject.

[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.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Carlota69

No it doesnt. Its only one part of him. And if the fact that you **** women is the only thing that makes you a man, then I feel sorry for you.

I know it DOESN'T. But this issue is ABOUT THAT. He didn't come out and say "HEY IM A GUY AND I LIKE TO DO GUY THINGS." He said "I'M GAY." What is the difference between someone that is gay and someone that is not gay? The answer is: attraction to the same sex.

So WTF are you talking about?