INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Jason Collins says he is proud of the NCAA’s “bold” leadership against Indiana’s religious objections law, and the association should avoid putting future Final Fours in states that do not protect the rights of gays and lesbians.
Collins, the first openly gay NBA player, spoke at a news conference in downtown Indianapolis on Saturday with representatives from gay rights groups Athlete Ally and Lamba Legal. He was joined by Derrick Gordon, the first openly gay Division I men’s basketball player.
The now-retired Collins said the revision of Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act was an important step to decrease civil rights threats to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, but more needs to be done in Indiana to protect against discrimination.
“The NCAA, they took a bold step,” Collins said. “I think bold leadership is what’s needed. I’m very proud of the NCAA taking such a stance and moving forward they definitely need to make sure the fans, the teams, the players, everyone involved with sporting events, when they go to these venues, when they go to these states, these cities, that all members of the community are protected by the laws there.
“The sports world is watching.”