Yesterday Jason Collins changed the world forever when he told the truth. Yesterday Jason Collins told the NBA, the players and fans that he was a gay man. It is the moment of truth that the world has been waiting for.
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

In 1977, Glenn Burke, an African-American, closeted, gay Dodger, delivered the first ever high five to Dusty Baker at Dodger Stadium. Two years later he was out of baseball, having been traded to the A's and then not played by Billy Martin, who famously said, "I won't play a faggot on my team." Glenn Burke changed the world forever with that one hand slap.

I am co-producing the movie of his life, Out at Home: The Glenn Burke Story, the anti-42, about a player who did NOT get to play to his GREAT potential but instead, after coming out when his career was over, ended up destitute and a drug user who died of AIDS, far away from the crowds and the outpouring of love and support we are seeing today.

Yesterday Jason Collins changed the world forever when he told the truth. Yesterday Jason Collins told the NBA, the players and fans that he was a gay man. It is the moment of truth that the world has been waiting for.

There will be much written in the next days.

ABOUT TRUTH AND ABOUT COURAGE.

I hope, with the celebration of this barrier being broken by this great, brave individual, that we remember and honor all those who lived and played and died in the dark, in secret shame.

Welcome into the light, Jason Collins.

Glenn Burke gives you a big, proud high five from afar.

2013-04-30-glennburkehighfive.jpg

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot