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May I, 2013
Drawing Support after Coming Out
Jason Collins hopes to
make path easier for others
(AP) — Jason Collins said he has gotten "incredible"
support since coming out as the first openly gay player in one
of the four major U.S. pro sports leagues, and hopes he may
have made the path easier for others to follow.
Collins sat down for an interview that was aired by ABC's
"Good Morning America" on Tuesday, one day after the
veteran NBA center revealed his sexuality in a first-person
story posted on Sports Illustrated's website.
"I think, I know, in my personal life, I'm ready and I think
the country is ready for supporting an openly gay basketball
player," Collins told ABC's George Stephanopoulos.
ABC aired the interview in tw o segm ents, with
Stephanopoulos asking Collins in the second portion if he
hoped that other players will follow his example.
"I hope that every player makes a decision that leads to
their own happiness, whatever happiness that is in life,"
Collins responded. "I know that I, right now, am the happiest
that I've ever been in my life."
Collins said he went through something akin to a 12-step
program while deciding to come out, dealing with emotions
such as anger and denial.
"But when you finally get to that point of acceptance,
there's nothing more beautiful than just allowing yourself to
really be happy and be comfortable in your own skin," Collins
said.
Dozens of NBA players sent messages to Collins after the
story was posted Monday, many doing so through social
media. The support didn't stop there, with President Barack
Obama also calling to offer his support.
"It's incredible. Just try to live an honest, genuine life and
the next thing you know you have the president calling you,"
Collins said. "He was incredibly supportive and he was proud
of me, said this not only affected my life but others going
forward."
Collins said he does not know of any other gay NBA
rCITIPhl
NBA veteran Jason Collins became the first active
male player in the four major American professional
sports to come out as gay.
players. He also told ABC that he was overwhelmed by the
reaction of tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who came
out in 1981 and called him a pioneer after he went public with
his story.
"I look at her as one of my heroes, the dignity and class
that she's lived her life and all that she's achieved in her
career," Collins said. "She is my role model. Hopefully going
forward I can be someone else's role model."
Asked by Stephanopoulos what his story could mean
to youth who play basketball and are worried about their
futures because they are gay, Collins offered a simple piece
of advice.
"It doesn't matter that you're gay. The key thing is that
it's about basketball," Collins said. "It's about working hard,
it's about sacrificing for your team. It's all about dedication.
That's what you should focus on."
TriMet Community Workshop
Join us at a O & A workshop with TriMet’s General Manager
Neil McFarlane. Get information on the state of TriMet and
updates on the budget.
TriMet Community Workshop
6-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 7,2013
North Portland Library
512 N Killingsworth St.
Community Room
For more information about the state of TriMet,
visit trimet.org/annua1report
TriMet w ill provide an interpreter for anyone who requests it
at least 48 hours before the meeting by calling 503-962-4831
or TTY 7-1-1 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Portland chapter of The Links donate jeans to
homeless youth.
Enriching Lives
with Public Service
A public service campaign by the Portland chapter of The
Links has brought new and slightly used jeans to the Janus
Youth Programs for needy and homeless people.
The Links an international not-for-profit corporation, one
of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organi­
zation of women who are committed to enriching, sustaining
and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African
Americans and other persons of African ancestry.
Last weekend, the chapter held their major fundraiser of
the year at the Sheraton Airport Hotel to support student
scholarships and club programs.
The Week'11 Review
Mayor Budgets Layoffs
Calling for the city to get “back to basics”
to deal with a $21.5 million budget deficit,
Mayor Charlie Hales announced his first
proposed budget Tuesday. It eliminates
182 full-time positions, including 55 from
the police bureau and 41 from the fire bu­
reau, but largely safeguards patrol officers,
gang enforcement and neighborhood re­
sponse team positions.
Rose Garden Workers Lose Jobs; Must Re-Apply
AEG Facilities, the company losing a contract to manage
food and beverage service at the Rose Garden arena has
notified state officials it will lay o ff9 0 0 employees. Officials
said the workers can reapply for jobs under a new manage­
ment agreement between the Trail Blazers and Levy Restau­
rants of Chicago.
Worker Dies in Accident at Meat Plant
A contract employee was killed over the weekend while
cleaning equipment at Interstate Meat Distributors, a meat
packaging plant in Clackamas. The Clackamas County
Sheriff s office said Hugo Avalos Chanon, 41, fell into a large
blender while it was running. Another worker hit an emer­
gency switch to stop the machinery, but it was too late.
NBA Panel Rejects Kings to Seattle Move
A National Basketball Association panel voted unanimously
on Monday to recommend that a proposal to move the
Sacramento Kings to Seattle be denied. The full NBA Board
of Governors will meet the week of May 13 to issue a final vote
on whether the team should be moved.
Transportation Chief Nominated by Obama
•W 1
* I
T R I@ M E T
President Barack Obama nominated the mayor
of Charlotte, N.C. to head his Department of
Transportation Monday. Obama said he
wants Mayor Anthony Foxx to get Ameri­
cans back to work rebuilding roads and other
infrastructure.