Tweet Of The Day - Jason Collins

The attack is in full swing over at Twitchy.

Brendon Ayanbadejo Backs Chris Kluwe

NFL Players Launch Pride Shirts

The NFL Players Association has launched a line of gay pride shirts on their website. All proceeds from the shirts will go to Athlete Ally, the anti-homophobia in sports organization founded by Hudson Taylor.  Via press release:

“I am extremely proud to be a part of this collaboration between Athlete Ally and the NFLPA’s One Team Shop to raise awareness both of Pride Month and the issue of tolerance and respect within the NFL itself,” said Chris Kluwe, punter for the Oakland Raiders. “As players, we are role models to a wide variety of people, and this is a great way to send a message of empathy to those who love and watch the game. Also, I'm pretty stoked that people can buy something with my number on it.”

“June is a special month for the LGBT community,” said Super Bowl Champion Brendon Ayanbadejo. “I am extremely excited that the NFLPA’s One Team Shop is adding its name to the list of ever-growing allies. The simple fact that football players believe in equality for every human being is going to make an impact on a lot of peoples’ lives.” Steve Gleason, a former NFL Player supporting this effort said, “It’s pretty simple for me, I believe all people are created equal, regardless of their sexuality. To promote respect and acceptance is an important role for NFL players and the NFLPA.”

Each shirt features the name and jersey number of an NFL player, including: Brendon Ayanbadejo, Connor Barwin, Domonique Foxworth, Scott Fujita, Steve Gleason, Chris Gocong, Chris Kluwe, Donté Stallworth, Terrell Suggs and Eric Winston.

Athlete Ally Thanks Jason Collins

Featuring Hudson Taylor and Brendon Ayanbadego.

Athletes Cheer Jason Collins

Navratilova's responses are especially interesting.

Brendon Ayanbadejo: Just Because

Posted today to his Facebook page.

Brendon Ayanbadejo: Four Gay NFL Players Might Come Out Together

Via SB Nation, an interesting quote from Ayanbadejo:

"I think it will happen sooner than you think. We're in talks with a handful of players who are considering it. There are up to four players being talked to right now and they're trying to be organized so they can come out on the same day together. It would make a major splash and take the pressure off one guy. It would be a monumental day if a handful or a few guys come out."

In today's interview with MSNBC, host Thomas Roberts brings up the above quote and asks Ayanbadejo about his history of LGBT activism and what may happen for him next.  Ayanbadejo was let go by the Baltimore Ravens yesterday, but he says that move was "just football" and unrelated to his advocacy to same-sex marriage.

Brendon Ayanbadejo Cut By Ravens

"Just a heads up I did an interview today and no way said I was cut because my views. I said my talk was louder than my production and at 36 when you are not producing it is a fair move. You can find cheaper guys to do what I do. Ravens are the best organization in the NFL period!" - Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadego, telling his Facebook followers that he was not released by the team due to his advocacy for same-sex marriage. (Tipped by JMG reader Mike)

Ayanbagego spent much of last night on Twitter reassuring fans and denouncing homophobes.

At The GLAAD Media Awards

Loyal JMG photographer Dr. Jeff snapped over 650 photos on the GLAAD Media Awards red carpet and afterwards and he's edited that down to a more user-friendly 130 shots. Click through for lots of heroes to the movement like Chris Kluwe, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Peter Staley, and many others. Kitchen Cousins!

NFL Players Chris Kluwe And Brendon Ayanbadejo File SCOTUS Brief On Prop 8

NFL stars and LGBT allies Chris Kluwe and Brendon Ayanbadejo today filed a joint Supreme Court brief in support of the overturn of Proposition 8.  From the brief's introduction:

Sports figures receive a celebrity status that influences a large majority of the American population. For far too long, professional sports have been a bastion of bigotry, intolerance, and small-minded prejudice toward sexual orientation, just as they had been to racial differences decades earlier. That is finally changing, and changing drastically. The NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA, at the league level, team level, and individual level, are finally speaking out against homophobia and intolerance of LBGTQ individuals. More and more of us realize that using demeaning slur words like “faggot,” “queer,” and “gay” can have serious, negative consequences. Not necessarily consequences for us. Instead, consequences for the children and adults who look up to us as role models and leaders. Consequences for children and adults who mimic our behavior when they interact with others. And consequences that can be severe, long-lasting, and not infrequently lead to suicide and other serious harm.

Interestingly, the brief also cites the lyrics of top-selling hip-hop artists Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Hit the link and read more.

Armisted Maupin Settles Super Bowl Bet

Famed gay novelist Amistead Maupin made a Super Bowl bet with fellow writer Laura Lippman in which the loser would pen an ode to the winner's hometown. Here's Maupin's tribute to Baltimore.

The Virtues of Baltimore (After Pondering Weak and Weary)
Who makes Baltimore so fine?
The Duchess of Windsor or Divine?
Poe and his Raven or Mama Cass?
The great John Waters or Ira Glass?
Thurgood Marshall or Adrienne Rich
Barry Levinson or – sonofabitch—
That linebacker who took a stand
For marriage equality in Maryland?
I lift my glass with a way-to-go
To Brendon Ayanbadejo.

Hit the link for Baltimore Fishbowl's illustrated version.