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Approaching Inclusion and Equality

Posted by T. Resnikoff // April 29th 2013 // soundings // no comments

lgbtq_United We StandToday the barrier against openly identifying as LGBTQ in professional sports in the United States fell when a current player, twelve-year veteran of the National Basketball Association affirmed his homosexual identity. Throughout the recent months we have followed the evolution of Marriage Equality, and reform of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) exclusionary policy banning participation of people who identify as LGBTQ. The BSA is set vote on the issue in May, and the United States Supreme Court is scheduled to rule in June. – Ed.

 

130429114447-jason-collins-cover-single-image-cutJason Collins is the first athlete from one of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States (NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB) to openly identify as homosexual. In an eloquently written editorial published in the May 6, 2013 issue of Sports Illustrated, “Why Jason Collins is Coming Out Now“, Collins writes,

“Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it’s a good place to start. It all comes down to education. I’ll sit down with any player who’s uneasy about my coming out. Being gay is not a choice.“

 

Read Jason Collins’ editorial in Sports Illustrated, Why Jason Collins is Coming Out Now, here.
Read about Jason Collins on Huffington Post: “Jason Collins Comes Out: NBA Player Becomes First Openly Gay Professional Male Athlete In Major Sport“
Read about Jason Collins coming out on the NBA website here.
Read responses from NBA players and others here and here.

 
 

About the Author

Ted Resnikoff is the Digital Communications Editor at the Unitarian Universalist Association.
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