Jason Collins Will Receive the Courage Award at the GLSEN Respect Awards Later This Month

It's well deserved.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Late last month, NBA free agent Jason Collins became the first active openly gay player in NBA history when he came out in a Sports Illustrated cover story. Now, he's being honored for having the courage to assume the role. The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network will honor the NBA veteran at the GLSEN Respect Awards later this month by giving him the Courage Award.

"We are incredibly proud to honor Jason Collins with our Courage Award," GLSEN Executive Director Dr. Eliza Byard said in a statement released today. "His decision to come out is a game-changer for sports and will have a profound impact on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, particularly those who participate in or want to participate in athletics. Jason's actions also send another clear message to young people that sexual orientation can no longer be the standard to unfairly judge an athlete's ability or potential. Joining the ranks of trailblazers like Martina Navratilova, Greg Louganis, Wade Davis, and Brittney Griner, we have witnessed another obstacle overcome in sports."

The GLSEN Respect Awards will be held in New York on Monday, May 20. Collins will make his first public appearance since coming out at the awards ceremony. Congrats to him.

RELATED: The Sports World Reacts to Jason Collins Coming Out

[via GLSEN]

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