Why such a big deal?

[Jimbuna]

I honestly don't see why this story merits coverage on a major/reputable news site in this day and age.

I doubt he's the first and won't be the last so what gives?

US basketball player Jason Collins has come out as gay, the first active male athlete in a major American professional team sport to do so.
He declared his sexuality in an article for Sports Illustrated, announcing: "I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay."
Collins said he had struggled with his sexuality for years.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22341153

[Tchocky]

Right there in the article. He is the first.

It's a big deal.

[NeonSamurai]

For the LGBT community it is a pretty big deal. In the world of athletics (which is lets face it, macho male driven), gay athletes have had to stay in the closet or risk losing everything (career, endorsement opportunities, etc.). They can also be at risk to attacks by anti-gay people/groups.

By coming out during an active career he is taking a big chance, even in this day and age. As many of my LGBT friends would say, things really haven't changed all that much, there is still a ton of hatred and oppression going on out there in the real world.

[nikimcbee]

I blame our Victorian upbringing.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by NeonSamurai

By coming out during an active career he is taking a big chance, even in this day and age. As many of my LGBT friends would say, things really haven't changed all that much, there is still a ton of hatred and oppression going on out there in the real world.

I'm old enough to remember the time when he couldn't even have played in a major league sport, not for being gay but for being black. I hope it works out well for him, and that it allows more people to be themselves.

[u crank]

I think this guy will definitely open the door for others. Good for him.

The pro sports leagues will also make sure that they are on side.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3062518.html

[Ducimus]

This was front page news on CNN. Call my crazy, but I don't think anyone's sexual orientation is newsworthy, let alone be on the front page. I could care less if Johnny, Joe, or Jimbob packs it up the poopchute or not. I really don't care about peoples personal decisions that have no bearing on my own life, liberty, etc etc.

The fact that this sort of thing is in the news, speaks volumes about the media, and quite possibly the people they pander to.

[Takeda Shingen]

There's a pretty big anti-homosexual component among athletes, particularly in the NBA. So, yes, I think it is newsworthy that a player has come out as openly gay.

[GoldenRivet]

It's not a big deal

Being gay isn't special anymore - because so few people really care... you may as well come out of the closet as a cat person.

It's not "trendy".... It's just - bland

[NeonSamurai]

Originally Posted by Ducimus

This was front page news on CNN. Call my crazy, but I don't think anyone's sexual orientation is newsworthy, let alone be on the front page. I could care less if Johnny, Joe, or Jimbob packs it up the poopchute or not. I really don't care about peoples personal decisions that have no bearing on my own life, liberty, etc etc.

The fact that this sort of thing is in the news, speaks volumes about the media, and quite possibly the people they pander to.

It would be nice if that were the case, if people could just be who they are, without other people putting restrictions on them (or just being openly hostile). It doesn't work like that though for many different groups that are not in the majority. Even your remarks contain an anti-gay message (the Johnny, Joe, etc sentence).

Our culture is still quite anti-homosexual, particularly when it comes to men, and women that really are lesbian (instead of the more culturally acceptable bi-sexual/bi-curious, thanks mostly to porn induced fantasies). I feel a lot of this comes from personal insecurity, and a lot of religious teachings (though not all religious people believe this). It frequently takes a lot of courage to come out, even for every day people. Many parents may not understand or may become openly hostile (one acquaintance was formally disowned by his father), you will also probably lose many friends, and you dramatically increase your risks of being assaulted or even murdered if you are openly gay.

From some of the work I do as a clinical social worker, I am familiar with the fear associated with coming out. Many people, even today will try to keep it secret, because of what I said above.

So no it is not pandering, it is really part of the move towards equality for everyone. You know... Freedom?

[Takeda Shingen]

I'm not so sure that "trendy" has anything to do with people coming out of the closet.

[Tchocky]

It's a big deal because for a lot of people professional athletes are role models, and until now pro sports in the USA has been decidedly hetero, which doesn't really reflect those participating or spectating.

[Platapus]

So the article says that he is the first,

but then CNN posts an article

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/16/worlds...html?hpt=hp_t3

Photos: Openly gay athletes

So what exactly is he the first of? The first in the NBA?

The two articles seem to contradict each other.

[razark]

Originally Posted by Platapus

So what exactly is he the first of?

"...first active male athlete in a major American professional team sport..."

So, he's the first to come out while still playing a sport anyone watches?

It all depends on how you define "major", "American", "team", and "sport".

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Platapus

So the article says that he is the first,

but then CNN posts an article

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/16/worlds...html?hpt=hp_t3

Photos: Openly gay athletes

So what exactly is he the first of? The first in the NBA?

The two articles seem to contradict each other.

Well, a lot of these aren't American and have retired before coming out.
The whole thing is still an issue even in Europe. Here it's especially in football (or soccer as the US guys would call it).