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:

Recommended

This Kid Gets It! One ... Ahem ... Outspoken Youngster Tells CNN Exactly Why Artemis II Is So Cool

Grateful Calvin

Advertisement

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.