<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Just because Jason Collins is the first openly gay athlete in professional North American team sports doesn&amp;apos;t mean he&amp;apos;s standing alone. Within hours of the NBA vet&amp;apos;s historic announcement, famous faces from the White House to Hollywood (and seemingly everywhere in between) began declaring their support for his bold move.\r\nAs Chris Culliver&amp;apos;s anti-gay remarks earlier this year reminded us, homophobia still runs rampant in professional sports -- an arena that has been resistant to accepting gay players among its ranks.\r\nCelebrities took to Twitter to sound off and cheer on Collins, and while many of his supporters feel a personal tie with him because they are gay themselves, there are others who simply admire his courage. Their reasons for voicing support varies, but one underlying message remains the same: This is a moment to be celebrated.\r\n\r\nBravo, @jasoncollins34! Thanks for stepping up. For standing tall. And at 7 feet, that&amp;apos;s saying a lot.\r\nNeil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) April 29, 2013\r\n\r\n\r\nThank you Jason Collins - for being the first one - knocking down doors !!! Rosie O&amp;apos;Donnell (@Rosie) April 29, 2013\r\n\r\n\r\n.@nba center @jasoncollins34 is the 1st out player on a US major league team. I&amp;apos;m overwhelmed by your bravery, Jason, &amp;amp; sending so much love\r\nEllen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 29, 2013\r\n\r\n\r\n. Props!@jasoncollins34 &amp;#xF3; andyroddick (@andyroddick) April 29, 2013\r\n\r\n\r\nProud of @jasoncollins34. Don&amp;apos;t suffocate who u r because of the ignorance of others #courage #support #mambaarmystandup #BYOU\r\nKobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 29, 2013\r\n\r\n\r\nWell done Jason Collins- you are a brave man. And a big man at that:) 1981 was the year for me- 2013 is the year for you:) &amp;#xF3; Martina Navratilova (@Martina) April 29, 2013\r\n\r\n\r\nVery proud of my friend Jason Collins for having the strength &amp;amp; courage to be the first openly gay player in the NBA. bit.ly/ZLei9F\r\nChelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) April 29, 2013\r\n\r\n\r\nI&amp;apos;m proud to call Jason Collins a friend. wjcf.co/154piCi &amp;#xF3; Bill Clinton (@billclinton) April 29, 2013\r\n\r\n\r\nBeing real &amp;amp; authentic is very powerful. Well done Jason Collins for having the courage to take a monumental step forward. #LiveReal\r\nDwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 29, 2013\r\n\r\n\r\nAmazing story! Thanks brave @jasoncollins34: &amp;quot;I&amp;apos;m a 34-year-old NBA center. I&amp;apos;m black. And I&amp;apos;m gay.&amp;quot; bit.ly/12J9el5&amp;#xA0; Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) April 29, 2013\r\n\r\n\r\nCongrats, Jason Collins, and thank you!\r\nDiablo Cody (@diablocody) April 29, 2013\r\n\r\n\r\nSame! RT @diablocody: Congrats, Jason Collins, and thank you! &amp;#xF3; Katy Perry (@katyperry) April 29, 2013\r\n\r\nMore Celebrity Features on Yahoo!:\r\nJohnny Depp and Amber Heard Hold Hands at Rolling Stones Concert\r\nKate Middleton Speaks in First-Ever Recorded Broadcast Message\r\n\r\n&amp;#xA0;\r\nTaylor Swift Drops Nearly $18 Million on Rhode Island Mansion: Report\r\nFollow omg! on Twitter\r\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/nba-player-jason-collins-comes-out-celebs-sound-off-on-twitter-201335>