05/13/2026
We join communities across Brooklyn, the sports world, and the LGBTQ+ community in mourning the passing of NBA legend and trailblazer for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports, Jason Collins.
Jason’s courage, leadership, and decision to live openly and authentically reshaped what visibility and possibility looks like for LGBTQ+ athletes across generations. As the first active male athlete in a major North American team sport to publicly come out as gay, Jason remains a powerful reminder of the impact that one person can have in creating a more inclusive world.
BCPC was deeply honored to receive the Jason Collins Courage and Leadership Award from the Brooklyn Nets in April 2023. We have carried the legacy of that recognition with care and intention, understanding it not simply as an award, but as a responsibility to advance the values it represents: equity, belonging, access, and community.
Today, as we continue expanding LGBTQ+ affirming sports and fitness programming across Brooklyn, we do so with deep gratitude for the path Jason helped create. His legacy lives on in every LGBTQ+ person who feels safer, stronger, and more fully themselves in athletics and beyond.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jason’s family, loved ones, teammates, and all who were inspired by his life and leadership, and we thank you for being an inspiration to countless athletes throughout our community.
