The next step

After generations of prejudice, a number of unwilling outings and a combined 400 years worth of history, there is finally an openly gay active male player in one of America's major pro leagues.

Jason Collins courageously made the announcement via Sports Illustrated, saying 'I didn't set out to be the first openly gay athlete playing in a major American team sport. But since I am, I'm happy to start the conversation. I wish I wasn't the kid in the classroom raising his hand and saying, "I'm different." If I had my way, someone else would have already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand'.

There is perhaps no better time for this revolution to occur. More and more countries, and parts of the US, are legalising gay marriage. Pride, openness and acceptance are arguably at an all time high, and the perception of homosexuality has gone from an illness to simply a part of who some of us are. Our world is changing; sometimes in a bad way, like when Pluto stopped being a planet. This, quite obviously, is good.

Collins will now draw the ire, and this will be a difficult time. On the very tweet where he thanks people for their support, there are countless replies of homophobic slurs, accusations of sacrilege, and general ignorance and hatred. Those replies each hold several retweets of their own.

There is also the outpouring of support from innumerable sources, from Shaquille O'Neal and other athletes, to the gay and lesbian community themselves. The significance of this event is huge, like someone breaking through a wall. It still will not be easy for others to follow, but it will be a hell of a lot easier.

But this time of celebration is not ideal, as gratifying as it is to be able to drown out the negativity. The best will come, when the announcements receive a response of respectful apathy.

I look no further than Brittney Griner, the first overall draft pick of the WNBA, and the biggest star of women's college basketball. She herself came out about a month ago, though you'd be excused for not knowing it. The announcement was met with a proverbial shrug. Some members of the media and fans voiced their support, as well they should, while others inevitably expressed their disapproval. But it was muted, and that's the important thing.

Perhaps it's rooted in the preconception that most female athletes are gay to begin with, and it wasn't a surprise. Regardless, it will hardly affect the majority's perception of Griner. She will be the same as a gay pro, as she was as a potentially straight college player: simply a dominant force on the basketball court.

Collins will not be afforded the same luxury. He will play basketball next season in exactly the same fashion as he has for 12 years. But he will do so as both a beacon for gays, as well as a veritable witch to all who oppose his lifestyle. He will be victim to disgusting jeers from drunken fans, and he will be isolated by some teammates and opponents, because as Mike Wallace proved, some athletes just don't understand.

When Jackie Robinson broke the colour barrier in 1947, he was victim to such contempt from so many people, a weaker man may not have survived. Initially, a vociferous percentage of the Dodgers faithful, the fans who were supposed to cheer him on, would chastise him. Simply for his skin colour, something he has no control over, in exactly the same way that homosexuality is not a choice. It's who you are, and it should not matter.

The obvious difference, of course, is that Jackie Robinson was always black. He didn't go through the confusion and self-realisation that gays face as they come to terms with their identity. And yes, there is still need for support from friends and families when someone, athlete or otherwise, is coming out. And they have every right to be proud of who they are, not simply because they are gay, but because of the rich tapestry that makes them the individual they are.

So for now, we as educated, accepting people will celebrate the bravery of Jason Collins, who has helped future generations in ways we can't yet imagine. And make no mistake, for him to be the first, is something to be celebrated.

But the real victory will come when a player saying he is gay is met with the same response as he would get if he said he was straight: "Good for you, but more importantly, how's your three point shooting?"