SAN FRANCISCO (Diya TV) — The Golden State Warriors marked Pride Night on Nov. 5 with a pregame conversation featuring actor and producer Kal Penn and a tribute to Jason Collins, the first openly gay active player in NBA history.
Penn spoke with Beck Bailey, Accenture’s global chief diversity officer, at the Warriors’ offices before the team faced the Miami Heat. Penn, who publicly came out in his 2021 memoir, You Can’t Be Serious, discussed visibility, family and the role personal stories can play in building acceptance.
He thanked organizers for holding the event during election week, saying some organizations avoid such conversations outside Pride Month. He also praised the community organizations in attendance and said corporate Pride events can be “pretty performative” when companies fail to partner with groups doing the work. This event, he said, was different: “It was actually pretty moving just to stand there and watch all of these organizations.”
Penn said he has come to understand the importance of visibility more deeply over time. Asked about code-switching and acceptance in South Asian and other non-Western families, he joked, “Once you decide to be an actor, you’ve severely disappointed your South Asian family. Anything after that is just okay, fine, whatever.”
He recalled watching Brokeback Mountain with his parents. His mother’s response was, “He didn’t have to lie to his wife.” Penn said, “Mom got the right takeaway from this movie.” He added that his parents are willing to speak with other families working toward acceptance.
Penn said he did not have one defining coming-out moment. Instead, he said, “to go back and have multiple moments afterwards has been more special to me.”
Asked how personal stories can move communities forward, Penn said celebrations of historic firsts should go hand in hand with accountability. “We should absolutely celebrate the firsts,” he said, noting that they help younger people see what is possible. He also urged people to hold public figures accountable for their actions and commitments, rather than judging them by their identity or background.
Before tipoff, Penn rang the Warriors’ ceremonial cable car bell at center court.
The team also honored Collins, who came out in 2013 while playing in the NBA. His twin brother, former Warriors assistant coach Jarron Collins, accepted a commemorative “Collins 26” jersey on his behalf.
Jarron Collins told Diya TV that the tribute helped carry his brother’s legacy forward. “My brother’s legacy and his impact on society and the LGBTQ community is tremendous,” he said. He said Pride Nights across the league honor Jason’s memory and support cancer research. “There’s still work to be done,” he added.
The Warriors defeated the Heat 120-100.
