Two weeks ago, I've posted on Instagram of what I captioned "Understanding Men: The truth is simpler than you think." Some, mostly gay and alpha hags, may agree and some (definitely most straight men) don't.
But the thing is people can choose to be who they want to be. They can choose to stay in the closet and hide for as long as they could, or come out, face their greatest fear of possible rejection and be proud. Coming out isn't easy and we all know we can be judgemental sometimes. Let's admit it, the coming out of some Hollywood personalities that may have, for a moment, caught us off guard.
Like Sex and the City star Cynthia Nixon outed on the New York Daily News and The New York Post in 2004, and announced engagement to Christine Marinoni in 2009.
The Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons revealed that he is gay in an interview with The New York Times.
Star Trek star Zachary Quinto came out as gay in a profile in New York magazine.
And following Zachary Quinto is ABC News achor Dan Kloeffer while on air reporting Quinto's story.
On The Line actor and 'N Sync member Lance Bass who came out on People Magazine in 2006.
Grey's Anatomy star T.R. Knight came out of the closet in People magazine after allegedly overhearing his co-star Isaiah Washington make a homosexual slur on set in October 2007.
How I Met Your Mother actor Neil Patrick Harris came out in 2006.
And just recently, the 12-year veteran NBA star who has played with the Washington Wizards and the Boston Celtics, Jason Collins has become the first male U.S. athlete in a major professional sport to come out as gay.
The 34-year-old NBA player tells Sports Illustrated:
"I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, 'I'm different.' If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand."
In his interview, Collins mentioned, "When I was younger I dated women. I even got engaged. I thought I had to live a certain way. I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her. I kept telling myself the sky was red, but I always knew it was blue... I've endured years of misery and gone to enormous lengths to live a lie. I was certain that my world would fall apart if anyone knew," he continues. "And yet when I acknowledged my sexuality I felt whole for the first time. I still had the same sense of humor, I still had the same mannerisms and my friends still had my back."
The issue of same-sex marriage and equality has always been a matter of heated debate for years now. And it even made a huge issue in professional sports in recent months when San Francisco 49ers player Chris Culliver told Artie Lange that he would not welcome gay players in the NFL or on his team.
But that didn't stop Collins from coming out and got a huge support online.
sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/news/… very proud of you @jasoncollins34—jarron collins (@jarronctwin) April 29, 2013
Much respect to my teammate @jasoncollins34 for being #real—Garrett Temple (@GTemp14) April 29, 2013
Proud of @jasoncollins34 for expressing his feelings! Great teammate, mentor and better person !! #liveyourlife !—Bradley Beal (@RealDealBeal23) April 29, 2013
Proud of @jasoncollins34. Don't suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support #mambaarmystandup #BYOU—Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 29, 2013
Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis) April 29, 2013
The time has come. Maximum respect. RT @Baron_Davis: I am so proud of my bro @jasoncollins34 for being real. … tmi.me/TGSBh—Steve Nash (@SteveNash) April 29, 2013
Wow this is amazing all smiles.. So so happy Jason Collins came out & announce he was openly GAY ALL SUPPORT OVER HERE #ATHLETEALLY #LGBT—Kenneth Faried (@KennethFaried35) April 29, 2013
#Wizards Statement "We are extremely proud of Jason & support his decision to live his life proudly and openly." More nba.com/wizards/wizard…—Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) April 29, 2013
By @jasoncollins34 opening doors & doing it his way on his time he has helped shape a more accepting America. May many more follow #courage—Brendon Ayanbadejo (@brendon310) April 29, 2013
So proud of @jasoncollins34 for having the courage to stand up and out for who he is. I support, respect and salute you!!—Michael Strahan (@michaelstrahan) April 29, 2013
"@Flaker11: @SpikeLee what's is your take on players announcing they are gay??? Jason Collins just did"Beautiful Thing. Be Yourself.—Spike Lee (@SpikeLee) April 29, 2013
Being real & authentic is very powerful. Well done Jason Collins for having the courage to take a monumental step forward. #LiveReal—Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 29, 2013
proud of Washington Wizards' player Jason Collins (@JasonCollins34) for coming out. we will stand with you as you continue on your journey.—Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) April 29, 2013
Former president Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea Clinton both tweeted their support. Collins and Chelsea Clinton attended Stanford University together.
I'm proud to call Jason Collins a friend. wjcf.co/154piCi—Bill Clinton (@billclinton) April 29, 2013
Very proud of my friend Jason Collins for having the strength & courage to be the first openly gay player in the NBA. bit.ly/ZLei9F—Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) April 29, 2013
As Adam Silver and I said to Jason, we have known the Collins family since Jason and Jarron joined the NBA in 2001 and they have been exemplary members of the NBA family,” Stern said. “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.
"The first openly gay team-sport athlete would earn millions in endorsements and speaking engagements from companies seeking to capture more of a U.S. lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adult population whose annual buying power he pegs at almost $800 billion," Bloomberg wrote after an interview with communications strategist Bob Witeck.
You can read the full Sports Illustrated editorial HERE.
