First Lady Michelle Obama and former
President Bill Clinton on Monday applauded Jason Collins for coming
out gay.
In a cover story for Sports
Illustrated, Collins, a 34-year-old NBA free agent, became the
U.S.'s first openly gay professional athlete.
(Related: NBA's
Jason Collins: First openly gay professional athlete.)
First Lady Michelle Obama messaged on
Twitter: “So proud of you, Jason Collins! This is a huge step
forward for our country. We've got your back!”
White House spokesman Jay Carney said
Collins' decision was “another example of the progress that has
been made and the evolution that has been taking place in this
country.”
Clinton called the announcement an
“important moment for professional sports and in the history of the
LGBT community.”
“I hope that everyone, particularly
Jason's colleagues in the NBA, the media and his many fans extend to
him their support and the respect he has earned,” Clinton said in a
statement.