Jason Collins, first openly gay active pro athlete, dies at 47

Jason Collins, the former professional basketball player who became the first openly gay man to actively play for a major American team sport, has died at 47, the Washington Blade reported May 12, 2026. The outlet said Collins had been battling brain cancer. His public announcement in 2013 that he was gay marked a national moment for LGBTQ visibility in professional sports.

Collins’ decision to go public while still an active player drew widespread attention and discussion across sports and media. The Washington Blade, a long-running LGBTQ news organization based in Washington, D.C., published the report of his death and noted his role as a visible advocate for LGBTQ inclusion after his announcement.

Career and public profile

Collins spent more than a decade in professional basketball and was known for his role as a veteran presence in locker rooms. His 2013 public statement made him the first openly gay athlete to play in a major U.S. team sport while still active, a distinction that shaped how media and sports organizations discussed sexuality and inclusion in the years that followed.

After going public, Collins remained a visible figure in conversations about LGBTQ rights in sports, participating in interviews, events, and public appearances that spotlighted inclusion and anti-discrimination efforts. Coverage at the time framed his announcement as a turning point for professional-team sports and for athletes considering whether to disclose their sexual orientation publicly.

Local resonance and community response

The Washington Blade’s report underscores the local angle: the Blade is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and serves as a primary news source for the city’s LGBTQ community. Collins’ passing is likely to resonate with LGBTQ organizations, advocacy groups, and sports fans in the District who track national developments through local institutions.

Leaders in sports, LGBTQ advocacy, and community organizations often note Collins’ announcement as helping to open space for conversations about diversity and inclusion in locker rooms and front offices. Local groups in D.C. may issue statements or hold memorials that reflect on both his athletic career and his role in public life.

Tributes and further details about services, remembrances, or statements from Collins’ family and representatives had not been widely reported at the time of the Washington Blade’s story; local and national outlets may publish updates as they confirm additional information.

Watch for statements from D.C.-based LGBTQ organizations and sports institutions in the coming days; they will indicate how Collins’ legacy is being interpreted locally and what memorial events may be planned.