Read more in the Sports Illustrated feature: Why NBA center Jason Collins is coming out now:
I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.
I didn’t set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. 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.
And if you missed the announcement from a couple weeks ago: Brittney Griner, WNBA Draft Pick, Comes Out