MANILA, Philippines – NBA veteran center Jason Collins is not playing in the post-season, but he made headlines after revealing that he is gay in the latest issue of “Sports Illustrated.” This makes him the first active openly gay male athlete in the four major American team sports. Reaction to his announcement came swiftly, as players, administrators and some politicians hailed him for taking a stance. Some hailed it as a landmark day in American civil rights, as important as when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball. ANC Alerts, ANC, April 30, 2013