Recently, NBA basketball player Jason Collins came out publicly. Collins said that he has always known that he was gay but he thought that he could hide his feelings and try to change himself.  Recently, Collins realized that society is accepting of these situations, so he felt more comfortable to be who he really is and reveal his homosexuality.  Collins, 34, explained in the May 6, 2013, issue of Sports Illustrated that he “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 done this. Nobody has, which is why I am raising my hand.”

The MFS community strives to accept all individuals for who they are, regardless of sexual orientation, race, or any other factor. As a generally accepting community, it has reacted to the Jason Collins story very positively. Lael Gibson, a member of Moorestown Friends School’s PRIDE Club, said she thinks that “it was a positive outcome. As a community we’re really open to having openly gay people or athletes or both. I think this was encouraging for students and athletes who may want to come out to do so. Therefore, I didn’t think it was such a big deal particularly because I’m not against gay rights.” Gibson accepts and is “proud of Collins,” and she believes and hopes it is encouraging to those who are unsure about their sexuality and she hopes it makes them feel more comfortable about who they are.

In the video below, Jordan Ernest, an MFS basketball player, gives his opinion and reaction to Jason Collins’ story: