Coming out as gay Archives

Splits expected as MPs prepare to debate gay marriage;

Plans to legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales return to the Commons later, amid continuing opposition from some Conservative activists and MPs.

Close up of men's hands at their wedding

The Marriage Bill was approved by a 225-vote majority when it was last debated by MPs in February, but nearly half of all Tories voted against it and many party activists remain deeply opposed to it in principle. Some critics have tabled an amendment saying heterosexual couples should be able to have civil partnerships.

But ministers call this a “complicated distraction” which may delay the bill.

David Cameron has said the bill would help build a stronger and fairer society, and the bill also has the backing of the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour Leader Ed Miliband.

Far from being a wrecking measure, some of the strongest support for my amendment to extend civil partnerships comes from the biggest supporters of same-sex marriage in the Labour and Lib Dem parties” – Tim Loughton MP

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NBA player Jason Collins comes out as gay, the first active male athlete in a major American professional team sport to do so.

He announced “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.”

President Barack Obama and the sportswear company ‘Nike’ were 2 among many of those expressing public support towards Jason’s news. On Monday, Mr Obama, who last year announced his support for gay marriage, called Collins to tell him he was impressed with his courage and offer his support, the White House said.

His daughter, Chelsea, who knew Collins when they were both students at California’s Stanford University, tweeted: “Very proud of my friend Jason Collins for having the strength and courage to be the first openly gay player in the NBA.”

In the Sports Illustrated article, Collins, who has most recently played for the Washington Wizards and the Boston Celtics, said:

“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.”

Collins, who has played 11 seasons in the NBA with six teams and is not currently attached to a team, said he had tried to suppress his feelings through relationships with women.

“When I was younger I dated women. I even got engaged,” he said. “I thought I had to live a certain way. I thought I needed to marry a woman and raise kids with her. I kept telling myself the sky was red, but I always knew it was blue.”

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