by Ianthe Metzger •
WASHINGTON – In an essay published today in The Players’ Tribune, Jason Collins, NBA player and the first openly gay athlete in a major American league to play in a game, announced his retirement from professional basketball. The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, responded to the news with deep gratitude for the leading role Collins has played in making professional sports more inclusive for LGBT athletes—and more inspiring to LGBT youth.
HRC President Chad Griffin released the following statement:
"The entire LGBT community is deeply grateful for Jason Collins' trailblazing courage. Retirement isn't the end for Jason - it's the beginning of a new journey as he continues to advocate for fairness and equality for all. Because of his courage, and the courage of other out athletes like Billie Jean King, Michael Sam, Fallon Fox, Martina Navratilova, Kye Allums and Brittney Griner, LGBT young people now have their own idols to look up to—athletes who prove that there is no limit to what an LGBT person can achieve through bravery and perseverance.”
The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
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