Same people who demonized Tiger Woods for cheating now worship Jason Collins for finding his sexuality by cheating on his wife with a man.
— Ryan Woulfe (@RyanWoulfe) February 28, 2014
Jason Collins, the 35-year-old Brooklyn Nets bench rider who is noteworthy for who he has sex with, presented his jersey to the family of Matthew Shepherd last night. The significance of this is that Collins wore #98 on his jersey — the year that Shepherd, a Wyoming college student, was killed in 1998 because he was gay.
According to the NBA, Collins’ jersey was the #1 selling jersey this week. It’s doubtful that NBA jerseys were flying off the shelves this week prior to Collins signing his 10-day contract with the Nets, but facts like that don’t generate headlines like celebrating Collins’ homosexuality does.
Collins, who averaged 1.1 points during his last season in the NBA, bested his average by scoring 3 points in Brooklyn’s lopsided win against Denver.
”I got them a bucket,” the Brooklyn Nets’ center said, referring to Shepherd’s parents who drove up from Casper, Wyoming to attend the game. ”And of course, I had what, like three, four, five fouls. So, I did my usual fouls and I got them a bucket. And a free throw.”
There is no question that Collins is a subpar NBA player at best, but the levels that the media will go to portray Collins as a hero is interesting. The irony is that men who have sex with men (MSM) remains #1 in new HIV cases in the U.S. No other risk category even comes close, including black women.
But facts like these don’t generate headlines.
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) represent approximately 2% of the United States population, yet are the population most severely affected by HIV. Source
The majority of Collins’ media cheerleaders are male journalists who are probably gay or bisexual themselves.
The message this sends to kids is that it is okay to be a dismal failure in life as long as you’re a black male who is homosexual.
Not everyone is thrilled over the hype surrounding Collins’ sexual preference.
I'm so sick of hearing how the Nets are so brave for signing Jason Collins…it's the exact opposite.
— I hate your face (@Spoon_R13) February 28, 2014
Jason Collins in the news for everything EXCEPT basketball.
— SVO// (@SVO__) February 28, 2014
Ight I don't get da openly gay basketball player phenomenon Jason Collins is trash 3 pts 1/1 fg 0 rebs #WHATSDABIGFUXKINGDEAL ?@lordjamar
— IG:CRACK KOBE (@CRACKKOBE) February 28, 2014
The Jason Collins acquisition is embarrassing. Brooklyn couldn't find a better option in the D-League?
— ty smith (@thetysmith) February 28, 2014
Comparing Jason Collins to Jackie Robinson is absolutely asinine
— TJ Hubert (@THubert21) February 28, 2014
they really just showed highlights of jason collins setting ONE screen and making ONE jump shot… enough of this
— *N-jay* (@_Njay3) February 28, 2014
Omg espn talkin bout how impressive it is for Jason Collins to score a basket…isn't he in the NBA? I thought that was the goal?
— Paige Michelle (@pmichelle24) February 28, 2014
Espn is acting like Jason Collins is the first gay person in the world lol #NOBODYCARES
— Lyndro Pe$o (@Lyndr0) February 28, 2014
“@Y2Dre: HELL NO RT @Toure: Probably. RT @NotBillWalton: If Jason Collins were straight, would he be in the NBA?” ????????????
— Slade (@GRIMEStheMENACE) February 28, 2014
Jason Collins is not only the first openly gay player in the NBA, but also the first player who's openly gay and super washed up.
— Yusof Nazari (@DadBalloons) February 28, 2014
If I paypal'd you $100 to wear the Jason Collins jersey for a day… Would you do it?
— COACH (@AskPolo) February 28, 2014