One can't have it both ways. If one feels the need to go public about his/her PRIVATE business - in this case sexual orientation - then he/she has to be prepared to face whatever public response they are dealt. Life isn't easy or fair for ANYONE.
Oh you better believe it was a spectacle from a media stand point. SI is a major publication with a huge reach. And for Collins to have the chance to write a first-person essay for such a major publication is just as good, if not better, than coming out on a show like Oprah. And let's not talk about the TV interview he did with George Stephanopoulos on ABC the very next day.
Personally, it doesn't affect me one bit. However, because Collins made the decision to make this information PUBLIC - with the intent to garner social acceptance - I have a right to speak on it.
Not true! Whatever the given topic or theme of the moment is for those who divulge such information about themselves is subject for debate. Most people who are openly gay likely didn't have the benefit of going to SI to tell the world. Chances are they only told the people who are close to them (family and friends). Collins admitted in his essay that he wants this "conversation" to be a public one. He admitted that he had already told his family he is gay. He stated that his family still loves him and accepts him for who he is. That is ALL that should matter. But no...he wanted to make history. He wanted the attention that comes with being the first active professional athlete to come out of the closet. Guess what...mission accomplished.
And because he is now "out of the closet", there is now discussion on whether or not he will get to play for another NBA team. And whether or not his "gay-ness" will be a factor in that decision for NBA teams. Such speculation to me sound like a step back for the cause.
1. SOG, you're missing the point. I'm not saying one shouldn't have an opinion on one's very being. I'm just explaining that marginalization and fear of scorn, violence and ostracization (compared to any other lifestyle) is the reason why many homosexuals are scared to make such announcements in the first place.
2. I agree that the media has done what the media does. However, the press makes a spectacle out almost of everything.
3. And there is nothing wrong with him desiring social acceptance. That's part of the reason he came out in the first place. It is part of the reason why anyone backs or promotes any cause or issue.
4. What's wrong with attempting to make history? What's wrong with attempting to create social change? In a perfect world, if only your family and friends loved and accepted who you are as a person, it would be gravy. But, we don't dwell in such a world. EVERYBODY craves acceptance from others outside of their family at some level to validate their own existence. It's part of the reason why people join frats, sororities, clubs or buy certain clothing, cars, homes, electronics etc. And we have to factor in discrimination in all this as well. Folks will go out of their way to make your life difficult because your existence doesn't meld with theirs.
5. It doesn't hurt at all. It forces everyone (the leagues, coaches, players, fans and owners) to examine themselves, their beliefs, and everything that encompasses sport and how sexuality fits in to the equation. I'll wrap this up by saying that sport, in many ways, has historically been the testing ground for social experiments. Race, religion, the role of women, civil rights and labor. Activism has played a huge role in sport. It's teams and players have been used as tools to usher along social change or start important conversations. This issue with Jason Collins is no different.
