Veteran NBA player Jason Collins will announce in an upcoming edition of Sports Illustrated that he is gay, a message that was tweeted today by SI and soon made headlines around the nation. Collins is the first active athlete to openly discuss being gay, and the reaction to his announcement has been largely positive.

ESPN analyst Chris Broussard was not among the supporters. A staunch and open Christian, Broussard expressed his views on homosexuality and Christianity on ESPN’s ‘Outside the Lines.’

On the surface, the sentiment against Broussard may be a question of why is he blasting Collins for being open with who he is, and who thousands of other athletes are without having formally announced such. But with all things being considered, why is it okay for Collins to openly discuss his sexuality, but not okay for Broussard to discuss his religious philosophy on the subject?

If we are just talking on the merits of the freedom and the accessibility to give an opinion, both are entitled and empowered to do so. Christian views are more accepted to share in American than are opinions supporting homosexuality, despite a strong surge in pride and support for the LGBT community over the last 20 years.

Both Collins and Broussard will have supporters and opponents, and both are publicly discussing very personal and intimate details that guide or comprise the core of their lives. There is no right or wrong to their reason, or genuine beliefs in this case.

So should people be jumping on Broussard because he did exactly what Collins’ has been encouraged and supported in doing?