05/13/2026
We mourn the loss of Jason Collins, whose courage changed the landscape of professional sports and LGBTQ+ visibility. Jason made history as the first openly gay NBA player (simultaneously becoming the first openly gay athlete to play in one of the four major men’s professional sports leagues in the United States).
(Reads a full reflection from our Acting Executive Direction here: https://openandaffirming.org/why-jason-collins-mattered-to-me/)
But Jason’s legacy is bigger than basketball.
In a world that often told LGBTQ+ people to hide, stay silent, or wait their turn, Jason chose courage. He stepped forward publicly not just for himself, but for countless young people, athletes, and LGBTQ+ people who needed to see that authenticity and excellence could exist side by side. He helped open doors that had long been closed.
Representation matters. Courage matters. The example we set matters.
At the Open and Affirming Coalition, we give thanks for pioneers like Jason Collins who remind us that living openly and truthfully can help make the world safer, freer, and more hopeful for those who come after us.
May he rest in power, and may we continue the work of building communities where no one has to choose between who they are and where they belong. 🏳️🌈🏀
