Jason Collins, Michelle Obama Have Mutual Admiration Society

The two appeared at an LGBT-focused Democratic fund-raiser this week.

Trudy Ring

Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.

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Trudy Ring

May 31 2013 7:29 PM EST

November 17 2015 5:28 AM EST

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Jason Collins, the first active NBA player to come out as gay, and first lady Michelle Obama exchanged compliments at an LGBT-focused Democratic fund-raising event in New York Wednesday night.

Collins called the first lady "a steadfast champion for LGBT families" and said she and President Obama are sending the message that "the most important thing that defines a family is love," ABC News reports.

Michelle Obama had kind words for Collins as well, saying, "Jason, we are so proud of you. We are proud of your talent, your character, your courage, and we are so proud. He has just made the difference in the lives of so many of our young people. So let's give one more round of applause to our friend, Jason Collins. We love you so much, Jason."

The two appeared at the Democratic National Committee's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Leadership gala, where the first lady urged donors to "max out" on their contributions and not to become cynical about politics. Using a popular slang term, she said maxing out "sounds kind of baller."

Collins made history last month by being the first NBAer, and first male athlete in any major U.S. team sport, to come out as gay before his career was over. Collins most recently played for the Washington Wizards and is now a free agent.