Current Affairs

US: Jason Collins and Michelle Obama to headline Democratic LGBT gala

May 06 2013
Written by Joseph McCormick

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

US First Lady Michelle Obama, and recently out, openly gay NBA player Jason Collins, are to headline a gala held by the Democratic Party.

The pair will be joined at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) LGBT Leadership Council Gala on 29 May, by DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Collins last Monday spoke about his sexuality, confirming he is gay in an article in Sports Illustrated magazine. He said: “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.”

The DNC’s LGBT Leadership Council aims to highlight the contributions of LGBT people in politics. The DNC revealed the appearance by the three on Twitter.

Michelle Obama, @dwstweets and @jasoncollins34 will headline the 2013 DNC LGBT Leadership Council Gala on May 29th.

— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) May 6, 2013

Michelle Obama, tweeted a simple message of support to the NBA star, who is the first player in a US professional major team sport, to come out as gay and keep playing. She said: “We’ve got your back”.

After coming out last week, the star was subject to a tirade of abuse on the social networking site Twitter, including a number of death threats.

Despite some abusive messages, Collins received thousands of messages of support, including from President Barack Obama, and former President Bill Clinton, his teammates, coaches, the Commissioner of the NBA, and countless others.