I'll admit it, I took the good room.

When Joe Kennedy and I became suite-mates at Stanford University, I got there first. And I snagged the bigger room. In my defense, I've got about a foot on Joe. It seemed only fair!

Don't worry, he hasn't let me live that down to this day.

Room disputes aside, he and I were an admittedly odd couple from the start. He was a freckled kid from Boston studying engineering and playing for the lacrosse team. I was an African-American basketball player from California, majoring in communications and clocking in around seven feet tall.

We became friends nonetheless. He got to know my strange addiction to Cran-Grape Juice and my deep appreciation for episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (not ashamed). I began to even begrudgingly accept the fact that lacrosse might be a “real” sport.

And to my complete surprise, that skinny redhead with his messy mop of hair became like a big brother to me; to all of our friends. He took care of us. He had our backs. If you were ever in trouble, he didn't ask why or how, he just said – "what do you need?"

Now I want to return the favor and step up to help Joe with what he needs in his fight for our country’s future. That’s why I’m asking if you’d pitch in a contribution before Joe’s final FEC End-Of-Quarter deadline before his September Primary. Can I count on you?

Eight years ago, I watched Joe march in the Boston Pride Parade with outgoing Congressman Barney Frank – a hero in the LGBTQIA+ community. It was a moment that stuck with me. A moment that helped me find the courage to come out and – one year later – to proudly march alongside Joe and Congressman Frank in that very same parade.

The Joe I know showed me it was ok to let my guard down, whether we were watching TV in a Stanford dorm room or marching with thousands of Bostonians through a sea of rainbow confetti. He loves and accepts and celebrates people for exactly who they are.

When it comes to friendship, it doesn’t get any better than that. And I know Joe would be as good a Senator as he is a friend (aka a damn good one). That’s why I’m emailing you and asking you to pitch in $15, $20 or whatever you can before Joe’s final FEC End-Of-Quarter deadline before his primary.

Let’s do this, team!

— Jason Collins