Jason Collins admitted that he struggled for years for self
acceptance. When he joined the Celtics this year, he began
wearing “98” as a “small gesture of solidarity” with the gay community. Collins noted that the year 1998 has a double
significance. It marks not only the year of Matthew Shepherd’s cruel death but
also the founding of the Trevor Project, the leading national organization
providing crisis intervention to LGBTQ youth, who account for 30% of adolescent
suicides. To understand the significance
of Jason Collins’s revelation, we must walk in the shoes of those countless
children who have experienced humiliation, ostracization, bullying, and torture
for their perceived sexuality. Sports
have bred homophobia for generations. We all know the demeaning jeers and slurs
that are embedded in the culture of youth as well as professional sports. Defensive lineman, Esera Tusalo, explained
after he came out, “It [sport] is a place for gladiators and gladiators aren’t
supposed to be gay.” He lived in terror and nearly committed suicide for fear
that his sexual identity would be revealed.
Jason Collins suffered in lonely silence
long enough.
By coming out he claimed his full personhood and as his
aspirations to love faithfully and to start a family. He also invited those of us who coach young
people to embrace the full significance of “98” and to build a sports culture
that goes beyond tolerance to acceptance and compassion.
