We all saw this coming: Now that Jason Collins has become the first openly gay active NBA player, the Westboro Baptist Church says it plans to protest at least a couple of NBA Playoff games.
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According to the controversial extremist group, God hates the NBA since Collins has announced that he is homosexual.
WBC plans to picket Wednesday's game between the Houston Rockets and Thunder in Oklahoma City and Thursday night's Game 6 between the Brooklyn Nets and Bulls in Chicago.
"Now has-been pervert Jason Collins has 'come out' admitting he's a proud fag," WBC church officials write in a press release. "Lift up your voice against this awful sin; use the platform God gave you to warn your fellow man to flee destruction."
Meanwhile, a number of supporters have congratulated Collins for coming out as a gay athlete including NBA All-Star Kobe Bryant and Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant. "If he's happy, that's cool with me. Seems like a great guy ... I support him," said Durant.
ARTICLE: NBA Player Jason Collins Comes Out as Gay
NBA commissioner David Stern issued a statement in response to Collin's announcement saying, "As Adam Silver and I said to Jason, we have known the Collins family since Jason and (twin brother) Jarron joined the NBA in 2001 and they have been exemplary members of the NBA family," Stern said. "Jason has been a widely respected player and teammate throughout his career and we are proud he has assumed the leadership mantle on this very important issue."
In addition, the Obamas and former President Bill Clinton have also been supportive of Collins' decision to come out.
"I have known Jason Collins since he was Chelsea's classmate and friend at Stanford," Clinton said. "Jason's announcement today is an important moment for professional sports and in the history of the LGBT community. It is also the straightforward statement of a good man who wants no more than what so many of us seek: to be able to be who we are; to do our work; to build families and to contribute to our communities.
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