Community Corner

Your Take: Jason Collins Is Gay. Do You Care?

Does an athlete's (or anyone's) sexual orientation matter?

This article was posted by Erin Quinlan. It was reported and written by Senior Regional Editor Elissa Bass.

The cover of Sports Illustrated features NBA player Jason Collins and the headline: The Gay Athlete.

Collins, 34, a 12-year veteran of the league and currently a free agent, announced in the magazine that he is gay. He is the first 'major' sport professional athlete to come out while still active.

Since the magazine hit the stands, sports talk radio has had lots to say, and sports writers have had lots to write. But across the country, the public seems to have given a collective shrug. 

What's your take? Does gay or straight matter to you in any area, sports, politics, entertainment, or even your own neighborhood? Should people in the public eye still feel compelled, in 2013, to 'come out'? Share your thoughts in the comments.


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