{"content":{"sharePage":{"page":0,"digests":[{"id":"62177482","dateCreated":"1367393171","smartDate":"May 1, 2013","userCreated":{"username":"Mike-E","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Mike-E","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/62177482"},"dateDigested":1532140228,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Response","description":"It's fantastic that Jason Collins has taken a stand in society and for the gay community by publicly coming out of the closet and embracing his sexuality. There are many people who are scared to embrace being gay because of hate from homophobic peers, and for Collins to do this as an NBA star is simply amazing. Our society is slowly adapting, and slowly becoming more accepting of gay rights and people. Major league sports are a shining example of this with it's intolerance of homophobia and the usage of the word fag. Hopefully more gays will come out of the closet in years to come with unconditional family support just like Collins.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"62177030","dateCreated":"1367384751","smartDate":"Apr 30, 2013","userCreated":{"username":"lankylando","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/lankylando","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/62177030"},"dateDigested":1532140228,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Response","description":"I admire Jason Collins and his ability to be true to himself.  Although there have been athletes that have been considered homosexual, Jason is the first professional athlete to personally say that he is gay.  I think this is a big step not only for the sports world but for the whole world.  Jason Collins has become a hero not only to some sport fans, but to the millions of people who are for gay rights and homosexual equality.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"62164616","dateCreated":"1367336857","smartDate":"Apr 30, 2013","userCreated":{"username":"taranador","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/taranador","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/62164616"},"dateDigested":1532140228,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Response","description":"I like Collins attitude in coming out about being gay.  I can see why  that many people wouldn't want to be open about it in today's society because of homophobes.  Many fear that they will receive hatred whether it be verbal or physical threats.  For Collin to take this step, it allows those who are gay to see that it is okay to come out without any trouble in this industry.  Everyone should have a happy life, but the way they want to live it.  The part about fans saying that its fine only if he wins was interesting because what if he doesn't win? Will they hate him? Hopefully this is a another step for society to accept gays.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"62161060","dateCreated":"1367328479","smartDate":"Apr 30, 2013","userCreated":{"username":"1kristinas","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/1kristinas","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/62161060"},"dateDigested":1532140228,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Response","description":"For the few seconds I glanced at the T.V. last night, I remember hearing about Jason Collins on the news. I'm very happy that he openly identifies as being gay--the main reason being that he will begin to live a happier life, and not a lie any longer.  What he did is very courageous and I do expect there to be positive consequences, such as other athletes and even other people coming out and staying true to themselves. Overall, I think one should do whatever it takes to pursue happiness. Thus, what Collins did is truly admirable.  On a side note, like I said earlier, for the few seconds I watched T.V. last night, I heard about Collins.  I'm sure every local news station and even ESPN covered this story. I think this situation has attracted way too much attention, and I don't really think it's relevant and should be discussed on ESPN. The media itself probably has a lot to do with why athletes have been afraid to come out. The fear of being publicly scrutinized by large masses of people in a short amount of time is a scary thought. The point I am trying to make is that the media often highlights then blows up controversial topics merely because the public loves juicy gossip and it sells. Do we, and should we, really care about an athlete's sexual orientation? Can't we focus on his athletic achievements, instead?","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"62158776","dateCreated":"1367317827","smartDate":"Apr 30, 2013","userCreated":{"username":"krcarson","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/krcarson","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/62158776"},"dateDigested":1532140228,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Response","description":"I feel sorry for Jason Collins.  He was quoted in the article saying that he knew "forever" that he was gay and that until he made his sexuality public, he would not be living his life fully.  It is very sad to me that people nowadays are so stuck on meeting everyone else's standards that they forget to keep in mind their own.  All people ever want to do is be the best in the eyes of those who watch them, and so they are afraid of failing, or in this case, afraid of being revealed\/a let down in the athletic community.  Luckily, times are changing and people are becoming more comfortable with 'going against the grain.'  Hopefully this forward movement will continue on into the future.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"62158410","dateCreated":"1367314500","smartDate":"Apr 30, 2013","userCreated":{"username":"laaurenh","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/laaurenh","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/62158410"},"dateDigested":1532140228,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Response","description":"This article proves that times are quickly shifting towards a more accepting society.  You would never hear of a professional athlete coming out of the closet 50 years ago.  I think it\u2019s pretty amazing that our generation is experiencing that shift in our culture.  I admire Jason Collins\u2019 courage to come out of the closet.  I think that his coming out is foreshadowing our future in which LGBTs will be able to live openly and peacefully.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"62157468","dateCreated":"1367305915","smartDate":"Apr 30, 2013","userCreated":{"username":"Chsanchez808","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/Chsanchez808","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/62157468"},"dateDigested":1532140228,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Response","description":"I believe that Jason Collins's courageous decision to "come out of the closet" is a healthy step in his life because now that the world knows his sexuality, he will be able to live his life freely and happily with someone he truly loves.  I am also happy for him because some people live their lives hiding behind a facade rather than expressing their true feelings and sexuality to the world.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"62157116","dateCreated":"1367300485","smartDate":"Apr 29, 2013","userCreated":{"username":"alyssaa2013","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/alyssaa2013","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/62157116"},"dateDigested":1532140229,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Response","description":"To read that Jason Collins in the only professional male athlete to ever come out as gay seems preposterous to me.  There has been, as stated in the article, hundreds of thousands if not more, professional male athletes none of which have ever come out during the time that they actually played. I found it especially interesting that he says "it wasn't a choice" and that his decision to talk to the two reporters was due to the quote he found from his grandmother. I can see as to why male athletes may be intimidated and scared to come out but that is not their fault at all and is instead in the hands of society. Does one's sexuality really affect their capability to play a sport? The way that our world sometimes thinks is perplexing to me, and sometimes very annoying and frustrating. I hugely admire the bold step Jason Collins took and wish him all the success in his future.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]},{"id":"62156552","dateCreated":"1367295229","smartDate":"Apr 29, 2013","userCreated":{"username":"daushiji","url":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/user\/view\/daushiji","imageUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikispaces.com\/i\/user_none_lg.jpg"},"monitored":false,"locked":false,"links":{"self":"https:\/\/iolaniwomenlit.wikispaces.com\/share\/view\/62156552"},"dateDigested":1532140229,"startDate":null,"sharedType":"discussion","title":"Response","description":"I think that being the first athlete to come out as being gay in a major sports teams is extremely courageous. There is no doubt that there will be those who will judge him, but there are also those who will support him. In a world where being homosexual is extremely controversial, taking on this milestone takes a lot of confidencen in ones self and I commend him for it. It helps that the other professional sport associations, like UFC, are there to support the LGBT community. Im sure that this event has encouraged many people to embarce who they are and to not be afraid of what others may think.","replyPages":[{"page":0,"digests":[],"more":0}]}],"more":false},"comments":[]},"http":{"code":200,"status":"OK"},"redirectUrl":null,"javascript":null,"notices":{"warning":[],"error":[],"info":[],"success":[]}}