fishercob wrote:Here's why it will be impactful: NOT because Collins is a household name or a superstar that sells jerseys, cell phones or sugared "sports drinks." Rather, because half the league has played with -- or played with someone who has played with -- Jason Collins. He's universally thought of as a great teammate. And so half the league -- many of whose upbringing may have taught them otherwise -- will say to themselves "huh, Collins is a great guy and he's gay? I guess being gay can't be all bad." It will help shapes attitudes and perceptions within locker rooms.
In doing so it will make it that much easier for the next guy to come out. And the next guy. -- until, one day, it's just no big effing deal.
So true. It's been said that the main reason that a clear majority of Americans now support gay marriage is that, as more and more gays "come out," more and more of us realize that we have friends, family and co-workers who are gay. And pretty much all of them are good and decent folks...with no desire to convert the rest of us into gays, as some crazies suggest. What gays want (and deserve) are the same legal and civil rights that the rest of us enjoy.
I enjoyed reading Collins' account of his gradual coming out. It was well done.
