Yesterday, NBA free agent Jason Collins opened a new facet of cultural inclusion with a simple, blunt statement to Sports Illustrated: “I’m a 34-year-old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.” 

Collins is not the first openly gay athlete in pro sports, but he is on the wrong side of an inexplicable double standard that merely shrugs its shoulders at the sight of openly lesbian professional athletes. Openly lesbian athletes can be found across the spectrum of women’s pro sports organizations including the LPGA, WTA and WNBA. Some don’t even wait until they have established themselves in the pro sports world to come out. Top 2013 WNBA draft pick Brittney Griner publicly acknowledged she was a lesbian shortly after being drafted and few eyes were batted.  

With Collins’ coming out, the pro sports world has a chance to follow through on their work to create a welcoming, non-judgmental environment for Collins and other openly gay athletes that will follow his lead. Collins may be the first, but he will not be the last. He opened a door; the professional sports leagues’ jobs are to keep it from slamming shut.

It doesn’t take a person of great skill to make the difference. Collins averaged about one point and one rebound per game with the Washington Wizards last year, averaging over three points and three rebounds in his career. He isn’t the best or strongest player, but his announcement should carry the same weight as any athlete. To persevere in a culture where coming out has not been the norm — and still is not — should be applauded no matter the skill level.

After making his announcement, Collins has received a great deal of support. Twitter embraced the former Washington Wizard’s center yesterday. And more importantly, it is his peers and big-name athletes leading the charge, showing that the big-four, too, is embracing of a new culture for those who are openly gay.

The lesson to draw from Collin’s decision is simple: Don’t let fear define you. Collins came out at age 33 after stating that he “endured years of misery and gone to enormous lengths to live a lie.” But he came to realize the only way to truly feel whole is to bite the bullet and get on with his life. Since coming out to his aunt and other family members, a prelude to yesterday’s announcement, things have turned out well for him. Admittedly, they don’t for everyone. 

Homophobia and intolerance are still present all over the nation, including on our campus. Gay slander, slut-shaming and racial epithets can be encountered on any given day during a walk down the Quad, while perusing University of Illinois Facebook groups or even when sitting in class. Truth is, no place you go will be completely tolerant of your life, whether you’re gay, pro-Chief or an LAS major. And that’s just it: We shouldn’t live our lives how others envision it. There will always be obstacles, and the best way to minimize them is by acknowledging who you truly are and disproving stereotypes and labels. An accepting community starts with a brave soul willing to test the status quo, like Jason Collins did. 

It’s something that our culture can celebrate.