NBA Auctions Signed Collins Jerseys

The NBA just emailed to tip me that they have launched an auction for autographed Jason Collin jerseys. Sales will benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation and GLSEN.

Each jersey is authenticated by the NBA and MeiGray Game-Worn Authentication Program. MeiGray Group, the official game-worn partner of the NBA, offers collectors the highest standards of authenticity, integrity, and reliability for all game-used items. Collins became the first openly gay, active male athlete from one of the four major North American professional team sports on Feb. 23, after signing with his original team, the Nets. Since he was added to the roster, Collins’ jersey spent three weeks in the No. 1 spot on the top-selling jersey list at NBAStore.com. Collins wears the number “98” in honor of Matthew Shepard, a college student who was murdered in 1998 after being targeted for being openly gay. The NBA has a long history of supporting the LGBT community including partnerships with GLSEN, GLAAD and Athlete Ally and was the recipient of the 2012 Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion Award at the GLSEN Respect Awards. In addition, Jason Collins received the 2013 Courage Award at the 10th annual GLSEN Respect Awards and Denver Nuggets star Kenneth Faried was awarded the 2012 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, in part because of his relationship with Athlete Ally.

Bidding has opened at $250 for each jersey.

NBA To Donate Proceeds From Jason Collins Jersey Sales To LGBT Groups

Via the Associated Press:

The NBA plans to donate proceeds from sales of Jason Collins jerseys to the Matthew Shepard Foundation and the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network. Collins became the league's first openly gay player when he signed with the Brooklyn Nets last Sunday, and his No. 98 jersey has been the top seller on NBAStore.com. He chose the number in tribute to Shepard, who was killed in a gay hate crime in 1998. Collins met Shepard's parents on Thursday when the Nets played in Denver. The league says Friday the donations will total no less than $100,000, and it will also auction off Collins' autographed, game-worn jerseys to benefit the same organizations.

Collins says he is "thrilled" by the decision. His jersey is the NBA's top-seller since he was picked up by the Brooklyn Nets several days ago.

Chase Bank $1M Prize Finalists: GLSEN, Trevor Project, Matthew Shepard FDN

Voting for the finalists in Chase Bank's $1 million "Big Idea" charity contest begins today. Three worthy LGBT organizations made the final cut. Go vote for your favorite: GLSEN, The Trevor Project, or the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

LGBT Groups Score In Chase Bank's Holiday Giving Contest

After Queerty raised the alarm that NOM was on the list of charities for Chase Bank's holiday giving contest, Chase promptly booted them from the competition. Today Chase released the names of the 100-most vote-getting charities, all of whom will receive a $25,000 grant. And woo hoo, there's some LGBT groups on the list: GLSEN, Matthew Shepard Foundation, and The Trevor Project. On January 15th, each of the finalists will submit a "Big Idea" to Chase, after which they'll compete for the $1M grand prize. I'll be back then with links to support the LGBT finalists.

True Colors Tour Dates Announced

Cyndi Lauper appeared on the Today Show this morning to promote this summer's 15-city Matthew Sheppard Foundation and PFLAG will have information kiosks at each concert. Tickets go on sale nationwide this Friday . The True Colors tour will play NYC, DC, SF, LA, San Diego, Dallas, Houston, Boston, Chicago, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Toronto, Denver, Atlanta, and Salt Lake City. Here in NYC, the venue is Radio City Music Hall. I'm gonna be hitting Ticketmaster.com the minute the sale goes live, I'm not getting stuck in the balcony for this one.


UPDATE: Presale tickets are being sold on Ticketmaster. The presale code is "HRC".