Jason Collins among Michelle Obama's guests at state of the union address; Guardian, 1/27/14

Dan Roberts, Guardian; Jason Collins among Michelle Obama's guests at state of the union address:

"Jason Collins, the first male player in major US team sports to come out openly as gay, is among a clutch of guests the White House has invited to join Michelle Obama's box to watch the state of the union address on Tuesday.

President Obama said he “couldn’t be prouder” of the 35-year-old basketball player when he came out April and has been more vocal on gay rights since his re-election last November.

In a statement, the White House praised Collins, who has played for six NBA teams including the Boston Celtics, as “a point of progress for the LGBT community, and one more step in America’s goal to treat everyone fairly and with respect”.

Jason Collins, Openly Gay and Still Unsigned, Waits and Wonders; New York Times, 10/10/13

Harvey Araton, New York Times; Jason Collins, Openly Gay and Still Unsigned, Waits and Wonders: "The issue of what might be a challenge for an individual team versus what is best for the league’s overall image figured to be a thorny one for the N.B.A. from the moment Collins publicly declared his intention to be the first openly gay man playing a major American team sport. (Robbie Rogers of Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy has since filled the breach.)"