The sports world is changing and has become more accepting of gay athletes in sports. With the NFL and NHL both making strides for equality, now it appears the NBA will follow as they now have their first openly gay, active player, in Jason Collins of the Washington Wizards.

In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, the 34-year old Wizards center revealed that he never intended to break the barrier but wasn't going to hide who he was any longer.

Here's an excerpt of the interview:

"I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay.

"I 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 already done this. Nobody has, which is why I'm raising my hand.

"My journey of self-discovery and self-acknowledgement began in my hometown of Los Angeles and has taken me through two state high school championships, the NCAA Final Four and the Elite Eight, and nine playoffs in 12 NBA seasons."

To read more of what Collins had to say, click here, or wait until the new issue of Sports Illustrated appears on newsstands on May 6, 2013.

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