Jason Collins, a free agent center for the NBA, dons the cover of Sports Illustrated where he has announced that he is gay making him the first ever active pro-athlete.
“I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay,” he tells the magazine. “I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport,” he continues. “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. “
People reports that Collins previously wanted to come out two years ago during the NBA lockout.
Collins notes that the first family member he discussed his sexuality with, was his aunt Teri who told him, “I've known you were gay for years.” The basketball pro admits that it was the moment that made him “comfortable” in his “own skin.”
Collins discusses that he has had relationships with women and was even engaged. “I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her,” he explains. “I kept telling myself the sky was red, but I always knew it was blue.”
The realization for Collins that he needed to come out was after his longtime friend Joe Kennedy discussed marching in the 2012 Gay Pride Parade. He notes knowing that his friend marched in the parade made him “jealous” as a closeted man who couldn’t find the strength to reveal who he really is.
He adds, “The recent Boston Marathon bombing reinforced the notion that I shouldn't wait for the circumstances of my coming out to be perfect. Things can change in an instant, so why not live truthfully? When I told Joe a few weeks ago that I was gay, he was grateful that I trusted him. He asked me to join him in 2013. We'll be marching on June 8."
Collins’ full interview is featured in the new issue of Sports Illustrated, available May 6.
image: Sports Illustrated