Raising My Hand

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.

-- Jason Collins, a 12-year N.B.A. veteran, announcing that he is gay, Sport Illustrated On-line, 29 April 2013