Watch CBS News

Civil Rights 50 Years Later: Jason Collins Breaks Down Wall For Gay Athletes

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Over two weeks, WCBS 880′s Wayne Cabot is taking a look at the law and its impact on the decades that follow.

It is all part of the event CBS News 50 Years Later – Civil Rights, powered by Microsoft Bing Pulse.

Fifty years ago, the fight was for racial equality. Civil rights today means much more.

In February, the Brooklyn Nets' Jason Collins became the first openly gay athlete to play in a major U.S. team sport.

Jason Collins
Jason Collins of the Brooklyn Nets on the court during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at STAPLES Center on February 23, 2014. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

"This is just one more step in this ongoing recognition that we treat everybody fairly," President Barack Obama said at the time.

Take a listen below:

Civil Rights 50 Years Later: Jason Collins Breaks Down Wall For Gay Athletes

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.