in: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/orlando-cruz-jason-collins-%E2%80%98coming-out-gay-doesn%E2%80%99t-make-you-less-man%E2%80%99020513
The first professional boxer to come out as gay has sounded off on the recent coming out of Jason Collins, the NBA star that came out this week.
Orlando Cruz, who revealed his sexuality last year, said the two of them are showing being gay does not make them any less than straight men.
‘Coming out does not make him less of a man because he is a great athlete,’ Cruz told NBC Latino.
‘[Collins] is living the dream of every high school kid who wants to play basketball. He should always keep his self-esteem up because he has the right to be where he is like any other athlete.’
When Cruz came out, he says all he wanted was respect for who he is as an athlete. The Puerto Rican is currently ranked as the number four featherweight boxer in the world.
‘We are two individuals that are making history,’ Cruz said. ‘He is the first active gay basketball player. But I was the first in boxing. I feel very happy that I’m inspiring other athletes to gain the courage to do the same.’
The 31-year-old said he understood the physical and mental preparation that Collins went through to make the announcement, who spent two years in counseling in order to prepare to come out to the world.
Losing only two fights in his professional career, Cruz is now hoping to become the first openly gay world champion in a sport.
When asked what will happen when he faces a homophobic opponent, Cruz said last year he knows he has some ‘tough days’ ahead of him.
He said: ‘Someone will come along who calls me a faggot or a fairy. I’ll say: “What? You call me a faggot?
‘But you’d better watch out, because I’m the faggot who’s going to kick your ass”.’
http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/orlando-cruz-jason-collins-%E2%80%98coming-out-gay-doesn%E2%80%99t-make-you-less-man%E2%80%99020513
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