Jason Collins continuing to push for LGBT acceptance in sports – Chicago Tribune

Jason Collins remembered the sting he felt as a closeted athlete when teammates used homophobic slurs in the locker room.

“It felt horrible,” he said.

After becoming the first active NBA player to come out as gay in 2013, Collins has devoted himself to helping make sports a more open and welcoming environment. Now retired, he has become an ambassador for LGBT acceptance in sports, speaking at various team events, including the Sky’s diversity and inclusion night on Saturday.

Since Collins announced he is gay in a Sports Illustrated cover story, other sports figures also have come out.