Why is Jason Collins coming out a bigger deal than Britney Griner?

Well, I think the answer to this question is rather obvious, but it still makes for some interesting food for thought. Griner could be the greatest female basketball player of all time. Yet, announcing that she is lesbian barely even merited notice. (Did anyone here even hear about it?)

Jason Collins is a journeyman basketball player at the end of his career. Yet his announcement is met with enormous fanfare.

Thoughts?

http://news.yahoo.com/why-jason-collins-coming-bi … 00034.html
By BearinFW | 05/06/2013 01:44 AM | 10 comments
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  • I hated the fact that they never consider someone like Navratilova a major sport athlete. She ruled her sport for years, and she came out when it was very dangerous for anyone to do so. Even in a story like this misogyny rules supreme and goes without challenging.

    And skibear, Orlando Cruz did come out. A boxer that was high-raked, yet not a heavy weight.
    LGMBoston 05/06/2013 05:58 PM
  • Why? I think it's all about stereotypes and male-dominiated society. A "limp-wristed" (or pick your favorite emasculating stereotype) man is a much bigger assault to social mores than a "butch" woman. Back in England, once upon a time, lesbianism wasn't even considered a crime whereas being a gay man was prison-worthy.

    A man who is "on the other team" is a much bigger deal.
    PDQuesnell 05/06/2013 05:00 PM
  • While I certainly agree with the points skibear makes, as well as the article, bottom line is I'm with Red. More than any single thing, it's the novelty, which the media loves more than anything.

    As great as Griner is, she isn't even the first superstar female basketball player to come out. Sheryl Swoopes did years ago.

    And BTW, Furball, thanks for the link. I look forward to checking it out as I'm from Waco originally and am a big fan of Lady Bears basketball (Griner attended Baylor and led the Lady Bears to a 40-0 season and national title in 2012.)
    BearinFW 05/06/2013 04:55 PM
  • I think skibear's comments, especially the one about "powerfully entrenched stereotypes", when someone like Collins, who physically fits that stereotype, comes out, it really rocks the boat.

    Today's Times posted and essay by Brittney Griner, where she discusses coming out, the fanfare around Collins coming out, and growing up being extremely different from her peers. The first half of the essay is great, but the latter half is so heartfelt --have your tissues ready. If you can watch her, "It Gets Better" video on the essay's page, it's worth the minute. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/06/sports/basketba … truth.html
    furball 05/06/2013 03:10 PM
  • Jacker, good point, you're right! I should have thought of a better role model. Oops!
    skibear 05/06/2013 12:16 PM
  • Agree with skibear, but Mike Tyson? Let the heteros claim him!
    jacker 05/06/2013 11:04 AM
  • There are also several out female basketball players already....so she isn't the first as Jason Collins was.
    Red 05/06/2013 10:09 AM
  • Skibear's analysis is right on. Aditionally, since the African-American community has been traditionally and vociferously anti-gay, it is probably somewhat more novel for a black man, let alone a sports figure, to come out.
    rjzip 05/06/2013 09:33 AM
  • I'd like to add that when women come out in sports, instead of going against stereotype, it kind of plays into the stereotype of lesbians as butch male wannabe's. The public shrugs it's collective shoulders and doesn't think it's a big deal. You know, another butch lesbian tomboy. It's not fair or right, but it's about the perceptions of gay men and women in America.
    skibear 05/06/2013 07:33 AM
  • As the Yahoo News article points out, the Jason Collins coming out story garnered lots of interest because it went against some powerfully entrenched stereotypes. Gay men are not all limp-wristed effeminate pansies and can go mano a mano with macho heteros on the basketball court, baseball diamond, hockey rink and football field.

    Imagine if a heavyweight pro boxer came out? I secretly hoped that someday Mike Tyson would, but alas, that ain't gonna happen.
    skibear 05/06/2013 06:47 AM