April 29, 2013

• I Never Had To Come Out To My Mom As Black

  I had a different post planned for today but then history struck: an athlete in one of the four major American sports has come out of the closet. I’ve long been a huge NBA fan and of course, I’m gay. I knew who Jason Collins was before he came out of the closet but being that he is nothing more than a bit role player on six teams over the past 12 years, I’ve never given him much attention. But, in the matter of one day he has become my favorite player.

  In sports being gay is more than just taboo. And in the black culture, while being gay is unacceptable to many. In fact, I read a funny quote once from a black gay man who was asked if it was harder to be black or gay and he said “I’ve never had to come out to my mom as black.” Which kind of says it all right there. So being black and coming out is hard enough as it is. But being a professional athlete? Well, that is on a whole different level. The balls and courage it took for him to come out is really impressive and should be admired. I think gays everywhere need to support him as much as possible; go out and by his jersey and wear it proud. My hope is that my Bulls sign him in the off season (they probably won’t, they already have a few big men, but shit a seven footer is a seven footer and they don’t currently have one of those) so that I can kill two birds with one stone and by his jersey and a Bulls jersey.

  The past few weeks there have been rumors that a few NFL players would be coming out so the fact that a player came out in this day and age was not too much of a shock. But, I still did not expect an NBA player to come out and when I saw it on ESPN while at work, I was taken aback and felt a sense of pride. Pride in Jason Collins. Pride that for the most part, a majority of people have been very supportive of him. And pride that we as a society have come so far.

  Way to go Jason. You are my hero.

  • 10:09 pm
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