I think about this a lot. BillieJeanKing Adaripp
Athletes and trailblazers Adam Rippon and Billie Jean King come together for a conversation on LGBTQ acceptance in sports and why it's important to understand the past to change the future.
When the tennis legend Billie Jean King, then married to Larry King, was publicly outed in 1981 for having relations with hair stylist Marilyn Barnett, the industry turned on her, pulling sponsorships and treating her like a pariah. Despite her historic success — famously winning the 1973"Battle of the Sexes" match against Bobby Riggs — and fierce advocacy for gender equality in tennis, the fallout over King's sexuality meant millions of dollars lost and a reputation tarnished.
We invited the two trailblazers together for a cross-generational conversation about the rise of queer acceptance, the relief of coming out and why it's important to understand history in order to move forward.I've always looked up to you. Besides being such an incredible athlete, what you've done for young LGBTQ people is so inspiring.
didn't have one. I had it so much better than them. For me, when I was outed, I lost all my financial [partnerships] overnight — within 24 hours. I got horrible letters and had to fight with my lawyer and publicist for 48 hours to tell the truth. They were trying to suppress everything and said it'd ruin my career. But I believe in the truth. It was a horrendous experience and took me forever to recover — probably 20 years. I don't want anyone to ever have to go through that.
"When we're more comfortable in our own skin, I think it allows others to be comfortable as well." — Billie Jean KingWhen we're more comfortable in our own skin, I think it allows others to be comfortable as well. I met [transgender tennis player] Renée Richards, who wanted to be on the women's tour back in the '70s. She was a world-renowned ophthalmologist, and she wanted to be on the women's tour.
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