The NBA’s Top 10 Gay Moments

From coming out stories to powerful statements, the NBA has seen its fair share of gay moments. In honor of Pride Month, we’re taking a look at the top 10.

The NBA’s Top 10 Gay Moments

The NBA has seen a lot of gay moments over the years, but some have definitely been more memorable than others. Here are the top 10 gay moments in NBA history

10. Jason Collins comes out
In 2013, Jason Collins became the first openly gay player in the NBA, and he remains the only one to date. Collins came out in a first-person article for Sports Illustrated and he was widely praised for his courage. Since coming out, Collins has been a vocal advocate for LGBT rights.

9. Kobe Bryant wears purple and gold pride shirt
In 2011, Kobe Bryant wore a purple and gold shirt with the word “pride” on it to show support for the LGBT community. It was a powerful gesture from one of the NBA’s biggest stars, and it helped build support for LGBT rights within the league.

8. Derrick Gordon comes out
In 2014, Derrick Gordon became the first openly gay player in Division I college basketball when he came out while playing for University of Massachusetts. Gordon transferred to Seton Hall University the following year, and he continued to be an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights. In 2017, Gordon made history again when he became the first openly gay player to compete in the NCAA tournament

7. Michael Jordan speaks out against North Carolina’s anti-LGBT law
In 2016, Michael Jordan spoke out against North Carolina’s anti-LGBT law, saying that it was “wrong” and “offensive.” Jordan is one of the most iconic athletes in history, so his comments carried a lot of weight and helped push back against anti-LGBT sentiment at the time.

6. Billy Jean King attends Lakers game with Ellen DeGeneres
In 2010, legendary tennis player Billy Jean King attended a Los Angeles Lakers game with her good friend Ellen DeGeneres. It was a powerful moment that showed how far society had come in accepting LGBT people into mainstream culture.

5. Dikembe Mutombo donates hospital to Congo in memory of his late mother In 2007, Dikembe Mutombo donated $15 million to build a hospital in Congo in memory of his late mother, who died of complications from AIDS. The hospital provides free care for those suffering from HIV/AIDS, and it has helped save countless lives over the years. Mutombo has also been an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights, speaking out against homophobia in Africa and beyond. 4Amber Cox becomes first female official in NBA In 2014, Amber Cox became the first female official in NBA history when she officiated a game between the Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers Cox is also openly lesbian, making her another trailblazer for LGBT people within the league 3 Rick Welts comes out In 2011 Rick Welts ,the President and CEO ofthe Phoenix Suns , came out as gay . Welts’ announcement made him one ofthe most powerful peoplein sports to come out ,and it helped break down barriersfor other LGBT people workingin professional sports . 2You Can Play Project is founded In 2012 ,the You Can Play Project was founded by Patrick Burke , Brendan Burke ,and Glenn Witman . The project isdedicated to fighting homophobiain sports ,and it has partneredwith numerous professionaland collegiate sports teams North America . 1 Tim Hardaway apologizes for homophobic comments In 2007 , retired NBA player Tim Hardaway made homophobic comments during an interview on a Miami radio station . Hardaway later apologizedfor his remarks , saying thathe had “learned firsthand whatit means to be on them receivingend of hatred and bigotry .” Hisapology was significant becauseit showed that attitudes towardshomosexuality were changing evenamong those who had once beenopposed to LGBT rights .

The NBA’s Most Outrageous Gay Moments

The NBA has seen its fair share of outrageous gay moments over the years. From on-court kisses to locker room make-outs, the league has definitely provided some entertainment for LGBTQ+ fans. Here are the 10 most outrageous gay moments in NBA history

1. The On-Court Kiss between Rajon Rondo and Dwight Howard
In 2014, Rajon Rondo and Dwight Howard shared a steamy on-court kiss during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets The moment quickly went viral, making headlines around the world.

2. Jason Collins Comes Out as Gay
In 2013, NBA player Jason Collins made history by becoming the first active male player in any professional sport to come out as gay. Collins played for several teams during his 12-year career, including the Boston Celtics Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets

3. Kobe Bryant Calls a referee a “f*ggot”
In 2011, Kobe Bryant was caught on camera calling a referee a “f*ggot” during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs. Bryant was fined $100,000 by the NBA for his use of homophobic language.

4. Derrick Rose Wears an Anti-Gay Slur on His Sneakers
In 2012, Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose caused outrage when he wore sneakers with an anti-gay slur printed on them during warmups for a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder Rose issued an apology shortly after the incident, saying that he did not know what the word meant when he had his sneakers made.

5. The “locker room Makeout” between teammates Josh Gordon and Hue Jackson In 2010, then-Cleveland Browns teammates Josh Gordon and Hue Jackson were caught on camera kissing in the Locker Room after a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Both players denied being gay, but it didn’t stop people from speculating about their relationship.

The NBA’s Most Shocking Gay Moments

The NBA has moments that live in infamy. Michael Jordan’s Flu Game. LeBron’s “The Decision.” But what about the league’s most shocking gay moments? Here are the top 10.

10. Jason Collins Comes Out
In 2013, Jason Collins became the first active NBA player to come out as gay. It was a momentous occasion not just for the NBA, but for all of professional sports Collins retired shortly after coming out, but his impact was significant. In 2020, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

9. Kobe Bryant Refuses to Shake Tim Hardaway’s Hand
In 1997, Tim Hardaway infamously said that he hated gay people “with a passion.” When he returned to Miami to play the Lakers in 2002, Kobe Bryant refused to shake his hand during the pre-game handshake line. It was a powerful show of solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community from one of the league’s biggest stars.

8. Rudy Gay Wears Rainbow Shoes
In 2014, Rudy Gay made headlines when he wore a pair of rainbow-red shoes during an NBA game It was a small act, but it was a powerful statement of support for the LGBTQ+ community. Gay later said that he wanted to use his platform to “help make change” and that he hoped his shoes would help “open people’s eyes.”

7. Deron Williams Supports Jason Collins
When Jason Collins came out in 2013, he received an outpouring of support from around the NBA Community One of his biggest supporters was then-Nets point guard Deron Williams, who publicly praised Collins for his courage. Williams later said that he hoped Collins’ decision would help make it easier for others to come out and be their true selves.

6. Billy Cunningham Wears a Rainbow Tie
In 2001, then-Sixers Head Coach Billy Cunningham wore a rainbow-colored tie on the sidelines during an NBA game It was a small gesture, but it sent a powerful message of support to the LGBTQ+ community at a time when same-sex marriage wasn’t even legal in many states.

5 Brendan Haywood Speaks Out Against Homophobia

In 2012, then-Bobcats center Brendan Haywood spoke out against homophobia in professional sports He said that players were afraid to speak out because they didn’t want to be seen as “gay” or “weak.” Haywood also said that he thought homophobia was holding back gay players from coming out and being their true selves.

4 Jason Kidd Wears Purple Shoes In Support of Marriage Equality

In 2012, then-Nets head coach Jason Kidd showed his support for marriage equality by wearing purple shoes during an NBA Game Kidd later said that he wanted to use his platform to send a message that everyone should be treated equally regardless of who they love.
3 The San Antonio Spurs Stand Up For Marriage Equality

In 2014, the San Antonio Spurs made headlines when they released a video supporting marriage equality . The video featured Spurs players and coaches talking about why they thought everyone should have the right to marry whoever they want . It was a powerful show of support from one of the NBA ‘s most respected organizations .

2 The Sacramento Kings Stand With Orlando

After the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting , the Sacramento Kings showed their solidarity with Orlando by wearing shirts bearing Pulse ‘s logo before their game against the Magic . The Kings also held a moment of silence before tipoff and donated $ 25 , 000 dollars to Orlando ‘s OneOrlando fund . It was a moving show of support for those affected by one of America ‘s deadliest mass shootings .

1 The NBA Moves The All – Star Game In Response To Anti – LGBT Laws

In 2016 , North Carolina passed HB2 , also known as the ” bathroom bill .” The bill required people to use public restrooms corresponding with their birth gender . In response , numerous businesses and organizations pulled away from North Carolina , including basketball ‘ s biggest stage : The NBA . The league moved its 2017 All – Star Game from Charlotte to New Orleans , sending a strong message that it would not tolerate discrimination against LGBT people .

The NBA’s Funniest Gay Moments

The NBA has seen its fair share of gay moments, both on and off the court. Here are some of the funniest gay moments in NBA history

1. Kyle Korver’s “Gay moment”
In 2014, Kyle Korver of the Atlanta Hawks was caught on camera having what appeared to be a “gay moment” with teammate Al Horford. The two were seen embracing and kissing on the cheek after a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers

2. Jason Collins’ coming out
In 2013, NBA Player Jason Collins made history by becoming the first openly gay player in any major professional sport. Collins came out in an article published by Sports Illustrated and was met with overwhelming support from his fellow NBA players and fans.

3. Tim Hardaway’s homophobic comments
In 2007, former Miami Heat player Tim Hardaway made headlines for his homophobic comments during a radio interview. Hardaway said that he “hates gay people” and wished they would all “just die.” He was later fined by the NBA for his comments.

4. Kobe Bryant’s “gay slur”
In 2011, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers was caught on camera using a gay slur during a game against the San Antonio Spurs. Bryant was subsequently fined $100,000 by the NBA for his use of the word.

5. Shaquille O’Neal’s “gay moment”
While playing for the Miami Heat in 2008, Shaquille O’Neal was caught on camera having what appeared to be a “gay moment” with teammate Dwyane Wade The two were seen embracing and playfully arguing with each other after a game against the Chicago Bulls

The NBA’s Cutest Gay Moments

The NBA has seen its fair share of openly gay players and moments, and we’re rounding up the cutest ones! From Jason Collins announcing he was gay to Derrick Gordon coming out, these are the NBA’s gayest moments!

The NBA’s most Controversial Gay Moments

Since the dawn of the NBA, there have been a number of gay moments that have caused controversy. Here are the top 10 most controversial gay moments in NBA history

1. Tim Hardaway’s homophobic rant – In 2007, former Miami Heat player Tim Hardaway went on a homophobic rant during an interview, stating that he “hates” gays. His comments sparked outrage among the LGBT community and led to his eventual retirement from basketball.

2. Jason Collins comes out as gay – In 2013, NBA player Jason Collins made history by becoming the first openly gay player in any major American sport His announcement was met with mixed reactions from the public, but ultimately helped to break down barriers for LGBT athletes everywhere.

3. Kobe Bryant’s gay slur – In 2011, Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 by the NBA for using a gay slur during a game. Bryant’s comment caused outrage among many in the LGBT community and led to calls for him to be banned from the league.

4. Michael Sam kisses his boyfriend after being drafted – In 2014, NFL player Michael Sam made headlines when he was shown kissing his boyfriend on national television after being drafted by the St. Louis Rams. Sam’s display of affection became one of the most talked-about moments in sports history and helped to break down barriers for LGBT athletes everywhere.

5. Derrick Gordon comes out as gay – In 2014, college basketball player Derrick Gordon made history by becoming the first openly gay Division I men’s basketball player Gordon’s announcement was met with support from many in the sports world and helped to break down barriers for LGBT athletes everywhere.

6. The ‘Gay Games’ come to Paris – In 2018, Paris will play host to the Gay Games for the first time ever. The Gay Games are an international sporting event that is open to all athletes, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. This will be a historic moment for both Paris and the LGBT community worldwide.

7 .Athlete Ally speaks out against homophobia in sports – In 2012, nonprofit organization Athlete Ally was founded in order to end homophobia and transphobia in sports through education and advocacy. Since then, Athlete Ally has worked with hundreds of professional athletes and organizations in order to promote inclusion and acceptance within sports culture

The NBA’s Most Surprising Gay Moments

The NBA has seen a number of openly gay players in recent years but there have been plenty of moments that have surprised fans when it comes to homosexuality and the league. Here are the top 10 most surprising gay moments in the NBA.

The NBA’s Sweetest Gay Moments

The NBA may be known for its tough players and Tombstone Piledrivers, but there have been plenty of gay moments throughout the years. Here are the sweetest, most tender, most homosexual moments in NBA history

10. Rajon Rondo kisses Wade
In what can only be described as a “moment of ecstasy,” Rajon Rondo of the Chicago Bulls kissed Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat on the cheek after a made basket during their game in 2017. The image of two men kissing is powerful enough, but in the macho world of Professional Basketball it was a truly groundbreaking moment.

9. Kobe Bryant and Shaq share a moment
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were one of the most dominant tandems in NBA history winning three championships together with the Los Angeles Lakers But their relationship was not always smooth sailing, as they famously feuded with each other throughout their careers. In 2009, however, they seemed to have put their differences aside as they shared a touching moment during an on-court interview. When asked about their relationship, Shaq said Kobe was “like a brother” to him before planting a big kiss on Kobe’s cheek.

8. Jason Collins comes out
In 2013, Jason Collins became the first openly gay player in NBA history when he came out in a cover story for Sports Illustrated Though he only played 10 minutes per game for the Brooklyn Nets that season, Collins made a huge impact off the court by inspiring others to live their truth. He retired from the NBA shortly after coming out, but his legacy will live on forever.

7. Kendrick Perkins posts adorable family photo
In 2014, then-Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins posted an adorable family picture on Twitter which showed him and his wife cuddling their newborn baby boy. The photo quickly went viral due to one very important detail: Perkins was wearing a rainbow-coloredbandana around his neck, showing his support for LGBT rights loud and proud.

The NBA’s most Awkward Gay Moments

The NBA has seen its share of uncomfortable moments when it comes to homosexuality. Here are the top 10 most awkward gay moments in NBA History

10. Jason Collins Comes Out
In 2013, NBA Player Jason Collins came out as gay, becoming the first openly gay player in the league. While many teammates and players around the league supported Collins, there were some awkward moments, like when Kobe Bryant accidentally referred to Collins as a “fa**ot” during a game.

9. Roy Hibbert’s Homophobic Slur
In 2014, Indiana Pacers star Roy Hibbert was caught on camera using a homophobic slur during a press conference. Hibbert later apologized for the incident, but it was still an awkward moment for the league.

8. Tim Hardaway’s Anti-Gay Rant
In 2007, former NBA player Tim Hardaway went on a radio show and made some inflammatory comments about homosexuals, saying that he hated them and that they should be ” Leave this country.” Hardaway later apologized for his comments, but they still caused an awkward moment for the league.

7. John Amaechi Comes Out
In 2007, former NBA player John Amaechi came out as gay in his autobiography. Amaechi’s announcement caused an awkward moment for the league because he was the first openly gay player to come out after retiring from the NBA.
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The NBA’s most Embarrassing Gay Moments

The NBA has a long history of homophobia. In fact, it wasn’t until 2014 that the league finally put an anti-discrimination policy in place specifically for LGBT players, employees, and fans.

Sadly, homophobia is still rampant in the NBA. Just last year, for example, player Nicolas Batum made headlines when he said that he would “never play with a gay teammate.”

While Batum’s comments are certainly deplorable, they pale in comparison to some of the other homophobic moments in the NBA’s history. Here are 10 of the most embarrassing gay moments in the NBA.