Urge the NBA to Support All Gay Athletes
- by: Care2.com
- recipient: NBA Commissioner David Stern
This week, one of the National Basketball Association's star centers, Jason Collins, took a brave stand and became the first openly male gay athlete in the “big four” American sports.
Collins has made the first move toward LGBT acceptance in the stereotypically homophobic sports industry, but he can't do it alone. The NBA can no longer afford to shirk the hard-won equal treatment that every player deserves.
The non-profit organization You Can Play's (YCP) mantra is that athletes should be judged on “talent, heart, and work ethic, not sexual orientation.” It offers services such as LGBT awareness seminars and confidential counseling to all athletes. Officially partnering with them would show the NBA's willingness to openly endorse the YCP's core ethics: that all athletes deserve respect and solidarity no matter their sexual orientation.
Jason Collins is fighting an uphill battle on behalf of his peers, but he shouldn't have to work alone. Show your support for Collins and other gay male athletes by writing to the Commissioner of the NBA and urging him to officially partner with You Can Play.
Dear Commissioner Stern,
This week, one of the National Basketball Association's greatest centers, Jason Collins, took a brave stand and became the first openly gay male athlete in the “big four” American sports. In the face of the homophobic backlash that has ensued, it is your duty as commissioner to ensure equal rights for your association's players, regardless of their sexual orientation.
You Can Play (YCP) is a national organization that aims to do just that: make sure that players are judged by their talent, heart, and work ethic, not sexual orientation. Your alliance with YCP would not only be a step in the right direction, it would provide a safe environment for players of every sport to thrive and better themselves. And isn't that what the league is really all about?
[Your Comments Here]
I urge you to use this opportunity to be a modern pioneer, and let the players know that they are free to be themselves on and off the court. Your partnership with YCP would be a model for the nation. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
