Coming Out of the NBA's Closet

Michael Krasny

Apr 30, 2013 at

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(Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Messages of support have been pouring in for pro basketball player Jason Collins, who wrote in the new issue of Sports Illustrated, “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.” That declaration makes him the first openly gay male athlete playing on an American major league sports team. We talk about what impact Collins’ announcement may have on sports at all levels.

More: NBA Player, Stanford Alum Jason Collins Comes Out as Gay – NewsFIx
More: NBA’s Jason Collins is First Active Player to Come Out – NPR
More: The First Half of Jason Collins’ Statement is as Important as the Second – NewRepublic.com
More: Female Star Comes Out as Gay, and Sports World Shrugs – NYTimes.com

Guests:

Patrick Burke, co-founder of You Can Play, an LGBT sports advocacy nonprofit that works with pro sports teams to welcome gay players and fans, and a scout for the Philadelphia Flyers

Franz Lidz, senior writer for Sports Illustrated who co-wrote Collins' coming out piece

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