Overnight News Digest: Coming Out Edition

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• NBA player Jason Collins comes out as gay
  

BBC
 

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.

Former NBA player John Amaechi came out as gay in 2007, but he had already retired.

Former US President Bill Clinton was among those who sent messages of support to Collins on Monday.

NBA Commissioner David Stern said in a statement: "Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue."

Sports label Nike, which has endorsed Collins, also supported his decision.

• Twitterverse Celebrates Basketball Player Jason Collins For Coming Out As Gay [Updated]

Think Progress
 

Today, basketball player Jason Collins made history by coming out as the first openly gay player in any of the country’s four major professional sports organizations. Since the news broke earlier, Twitter has lit up with support from fellow athletes, coaches, celebrities, elected officials, and others. Here’s a sampling of some of the responses:

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld:
We are extremely proud of Jason and support his decision to live his life proudly and openly. He has been a leader on and off the court and an outstanding teammate throughout his NBA career. Those qualities will continue to serve him both as a player and as a positive role model for others of all sexual orientation.

• Awesome Reactions to Jason Collins' Coming Out (Updated)

Mother Jones
 

In the latest issue of Sports Illustrated, the NBA's Jason Collins became the first active player in any of the big four sports (baseball, football, basketball, and hockey) to announce he was gay. His opening paragraph: "I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay."

Toward the end of his must-read story, Collins, a 7-foot, 255-pounder who has played for six teams in his 12-year pro career, ponders the fallout from his announcement: