Michelle Obama tells out-and-proud Jason Collins: 'We've got your back!'; Update: POTUS calls Collins to offer support

First, she became proud of her country. Now, she’s proud of openly gay NBA player Jason Collins:

So proud of you, Jason Collins! This is a huge step forward for our country. We’ve got your back! -mo

— First Lady- Archived (@FLOTUS44) April 29, 2013

They’ve “got his back.” That, of course, may be contingent upon a few things:

But don't eat a burger! RT @FLOTUS So proud of you, Jason Collins! This is a huge step forward for our country. We’ve got your back! -mo

— SFK (@stephenkruiser) April 29, 2013

https://twitter.com/jesseberney/status/328981582666936320

Heh.

While plenty of FLOTUS’ fans are impressed:

I love our FLOTUS. 🙂

— Crystal Marie (@CrystalMarieCom) April 29, 2013

#awesome .@FLOTUS: So proud of you, Jason Collins! This is a huge step forward for our country. We’ve got your back! -mo” #JasonCollins

— Victoria Keelan (@OnAirVictoria) April 29, 2013

Well this is wonderful “@FLOTUS: So proud of you, Jason Collins! This is a huge step forward for our country. We’ve got your back!"

— ? Virginia ? Gay ? (@virginia_gay) April 29, 2013

how awesome of First Lady! “@FLOTUS: So proud of you, Jason Collins! This is a huge step forward for our country. We’ve got your back! -mo”

— Shangela (@itsSHANGELA) April 29, 2013

Not everyone is clear on why Collins’ revelation warrants special recognition from the First Lady:

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I'm heterosexual and like ketchup on my scrambled eggs, are you proud of me? @FLOTUS

— Joe Buc (@JoeBucRavens) April 29, 2013

@FLOTUS How is this a step forward for the country? There are so many gays what makes this guy special?

— Red (@BS_Red) April 29, 2013

https://twitter.com/KyleMurphyUSA/status/328984384923369472

https://twitter.com/melissa5001/status/328984171143909376

@FLOTUS Broadcasting intimacy that should be kept between consenting adults in their bedroom to the whole country is a step forward-to what?

— daltonzgang (@daltonzgang) April 29, 2013

I think the Jason Collins thing is great, but I can't for the life of me work out what it has to do with the White House.

— Charles C. W. Cooke (@charlescwcooke) April 29, 2013

Good for Collins. Really. But there are men and women who face true hardships on a daily basis, who literally put their lives on the line. Perhaps we’ll assign more value to FLOTUS shout-outs when she acknowledges their contributions to our country and gives them the respect they deserve.

***

Update:

Collins has reportedly received one of President Obama’s coveted phone calls:

President Obama spoke by phone to Jason Collins @Jasoncollins34 after his announcement. Obama offered support/congratulations on courage.

— Major Garrett (@MajorCBS) April 29, 2013

How nice for him. Nice to know the president’s priorities remain in tact:

https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/328994079767678976

https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/328994183778025473

https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/328994214375485440

https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/328994214375485440

https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/328994306251702272

Maybe if Terry had been a gay professional athlete.

https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/328994472060911616

https://twitter.com/Tyler_McNally/status/328994269882900480

https://twitter.com/GayPatriot/status/329001488644964352

https://twitter.com/Tark31/status/328994896008601601

And exactly what we’d expect from our illustrious leader.