May 28
Trailblazing Out Former NBA Player Jason Collins Weds Longtime Partner Brunson Green
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Jason Collins, the NBA's first out player, now retired, tied the knot with his longtime partner, Oscar-nominated movie producer Brunson Green.
"The two wed in a beautiful ceremony with close friends and family and some fabulous entertainment in Austin, Texas," Australian newspaper the Star Observer reported.
Collins came out at the age of 35 in a 2013 interview, the Star-Observer recalled. And not just any interview; it was a cover story for Sports Illustrated.
"When he went on to play again in 2014 he became 'the first publicly gay athlete to play in any of four major North American pro sports leagues' before retiring from the sport later that year," the writeup added.
"Later in 2014 Collins began dating Brunson Green, a film producer, the pair have been together ever since."
Collins took to social media to share the happy news, posting images on his Instagram Story of the nuptials.
"Images showed the two exchanging vows in a beautiful private ceremony as their friends and family looked on," the Star Observer related. "This was followed by joyous images of the guests celebrating together at the reception."
"One video also showed a pair of local drag queens Nadine Hughes and Alysha Pretty performing for the happy crowd at the rehearsal dinner the night before with a hilarious rendition of 'A Whole New World,'" the Star Observer noted.
The two had been headed for the altar since 2023, when they "became engaged at the Los Angeles Lakers Pride Night," the site detailed.
Collins' remarkable accomplishment has yet to be emulated by other queer players in the NBA, even though he was warmly welcomed upon coming out and, statistically, it is impossible that there are no queer players currently active.
"When he came out after the 2013 NBA season, he was the first active player to ever reveal he was gay," EDGE recalled in 2023, before adding that "there are still no other active gay players in the NBA."
"How can there be such a lack of progress in the world of men's basketball in an entire decade?" the article went on to wonder. "Does this mean Collins is any less important in the annals of history?"
"Certainly not, but we also have to examine how society can continue to become more welcoming towards queer athletes."
Among Brunson Green's achievements is an Oscar nomination for the 2011 movie "The Help."
Congratulations to the happy couple!
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
