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VIDEO: Charles Barkley and Shaq Interview Jason Collins

Jason Collins continues to impress. Collins was featured on Inside the NBA on Tuesday to discuss his historic coming. One of the first questions was from NBA legend Charles Barkley, who asked Collins how his twin brother Jarron reacted to the news.

"It was an interesting conversation because he had no idea [that] I was gay,"laughed Collins. "He was shocked and surprised. But at the end of the day he said, "Jason, you are my twin brother We are best friends. I love you and will support you."

Barkley has long supported gay rights and came out for equal marriage almost seven years ago in 2006. More in my analysis for EBONY, "Jason Collins Has “Reframed the Conversation” Around Sports, Blacks and Homophobia."

Shaquille O'Neal also joined the conversation and asked Collins about the impact of his decision on other sports. O'Neal and Dwyane Wade were among the first athletes to welcome former NBA player John Amaechi's coming out in 2007. Watch the video AFTER THE JUMP ...

WATCH: Charles Barkley Slams Bernice King and Homophobia

TNT aired a special tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during Monday's pre-game show to  Orlando's 109-106 loss to the Celtics. The package included an interview with the anti-gay Rev. Bernice King, youngest daughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr,  new chair of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and pastor at scandal-plagued Bishop Eddie Long's New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. 

After the package aired, basketball great and TNT analyst Charles Barkley made a none-too-subtle reference to Bernice King, who says she had a "responsibility to continue" MLK's legacy.

"His daughter said something that was very interesting," Barkley noted.  "People try to make it about black and white. He talked about equality for every man, every woman. We have a thing going on now, people discriminating against homosexuality in this country. I love the homosexuality people. God bless the gay people. They are great people. We have discrimination against Hispanic people in this country and we need to answer to that."

Barkley first came out in favor of gay rights in August 2006 and said, "I'm a big advocate of gay marriage. If they want to get married, God bless them." In February 2008, Barkley slammed evangelicals and Republicans as "hypocrites" and "fake Christians" for opposing marriage equality.

Totally heartfelt and unscripted remarks, heard by a massive television audience of male sports viewers. Thank you, Mr. Barkley. Via Towleroad, watch at 6:20+  AFTER THE JUMP ...

Black, Anti-Gay Evangelicals Demand Apology for "Bigoted" Remarks by Charles Barkley

A leading anti-gay, black evangelical radio host and the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission are demanding basketball legend Charles Barkley to apologize for comments he made to CNN's Wolf Blitzer about "fake Christians."

Barkley told Blitzer, "I think they want to be judge and jury. Like, I'm for gay marriage. It's none of my business if gay people want to get married. I'm pro-choice. And I think these Christians—first of all, they're supposed to be—they're not supposed to judge other people. But they're the most hypocritical judge of people we have in this country. And it bugs the hell out of me.

Charles Barkley on CNN: "I'm Pro Gay Marriage and Pro-Choice"

While appearing on CNN's The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, basketball great Charles Barkley slammed the Republican Party and Christian conservatives as "fake Christians" and reiterated his strong support for gay rights and marriage equality.& ; Video and transcript at Raw Story.

"Every time I hear the word 'conservative,' it makes me sick to my stomach, because they're really just fake Christians, as I call them. That's all they are. ...

"I think they want to be judge and jury. Like, I'm for gay marriage. It's none of my business if gay people want to get married. I'm pro-choice. And I think these Christians, first of all, they're not supposed to judge other people. But they're the most hypocritical judge of people we have in the country. And it bugs the hell out of me. They act like they're Christians. They're not forgiving at all."

Barkley first came out in favor of gay rights and in August 2006, saying, "I'm a big advocate of gay marriage. If they want to get married, God bless them." Barkley has been a terrific ally and we definitely need more men like him on our team.

The legendary basketball player also explains why he supports Barack Obama for president. "When I look at him, he represents everything that's good in the black community. He's intelligent. He's articulate. You know, most of our role models are athletes or entertainers. We've got to get more black kids to be educated, carry themselves with great class and dignity. He's perfect for what we need."

Video: Conservatives are "Fake Christians" [Raw Story]
Transcript: Barkley on Supporting Obama [CNN]

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Charles Barkley on Gay Marriage

Charles Barkley has come out in support of same-sex marriage. "I'm a big advocate of gay marriage," Barkley said during an appearance on CMI: The Chris Meyers Interview, which will air on Sunday night on Fox SportsNet. "If they want to get married, God bless them. Gay marriage is probably 1 percent of the population, so it’s not like it’s going to be an epidemic."

The legendary NBA player is considering running as a Democratic gubernatorial candidate in his home state of Alabama—where, unfortunately, gay marriage is already prohibited—and spoke frankly on racism, politics and homophobia. Repeating earlier comments he has made against homophobia, Barkley acknowledged gay athletes face discrimination in sports, but, says the problem isn't limited to locker rooms. He adds: "If a gay guy can play, I want him on my team. Let's get that straight."

Until recently, Barkley was an outspoken Republican but said he switched parties when Repubs “lost their minds.” Barkley says he is troubled by some of the bigotry promoted by religions and embraced by the GOP; he is also disturbed by the Democrats' lack of strategy, which we certainly co-sign.

Someone give this man a prize. Charles Barkley is delivering the message that many athletes and politicians need to hear.

Barkley Barks in FSN Interview (Fox Sports)

Barkley Speaks Out on Religion, Gay Marriage (MSNBC)

Previously:

On the "Outside Looking In" (Rod 2.0) Out of Bounds (Rod 2.0)