It was never Jason Collins’ intention to be a spokesperson or leader of a cause. He just wanted to live a life that was open and honest, one untangled from the excuses and dodges that are often in the playbook when you are concealing your sexual identity.

But when you emerge as the first active, out gay player in NBA history, as Collins did in 2013, you can’t not be a spokesperson. One of the constants in the evolution of the out gay athlete in the major North American men’s professional sports leagues is that everyone who comes out is providing a blueprint for those who dare to be next.

It is different in women’s professional sports, where there is a well-chronicled history of out players and generally high support from the leagues and their fans. In the men’s leagues, progress has be

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