Don’t Arrest Billie Jean King!
Italian International Olympic Committee member Mario Pescante criticized the United States for including openly gay athletes in its official delegation for next month’s Sochi Olympics. In comments widely reported by Italian media he states, “it’s absurd that a country like that sends four lesbians to Russia just to demonstrate that in their country gay rights have (been established).” Pescante continues, “The games should not be an occasion and a stage to promote rights that sports supports daily.”
Although the Obama’s will not be attending the games, the president is sending three openly gay athletes – tennis legend Billie Jean King, figure skater Brian Boitano and hockey player Caitlin Cahow as delegates. It is believed that the delegates were selected in protest of the Russian law banning gay “propaganda.” This is also the first time since 2000, that the US delegation to the Olympics will not include a president, vice president or first lady.
While the Olympic Committee has said they have ‘received assurances’ that no gay athlete or tourist will be arrested during the Games, Russia has a slightly different point of view.
Vitaly Milonov, a deputy of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly who recently announced the opening of a human rights center to help the Serbian population in Kosovo, told journalists that the gay propaganda law will remain enforced, Meaning that Russia will officially ignore the human rights of LGBT athletes or tourists, who could be arrested, held for 15 days and even deported.
Billie Jean King, who made an appearance on the Colbert Report last week, talked about her role with the US delegation and whether she’ll protest at Sochi:
BILLIE JEAN KING: I probably won’t protest, but if the media asks me a question, I’m gonna answer it.
COLBERT: You’ll be breaking the law. If you say something positive about homosexuals or about homosexual rights you’ll be breaking the law. Technically you can be thrown into jail.
BILLIE JEAN KING: Well, I’ll take that chance, I guess.
You have to love Stephen Colbert:
COLBERT: Isn’t your mere existence propaganda for homosexuality because you make it look so good?
BILLIE JEAN KING: I hope so!
King on being chosen because she’s gay:
COLBERT: You’re not offended that you’re being chosen because you’re gay?
BILLIE JEAN KING: No, I’m proud of it, I LOVE it!
We wish Ms. King well on her trip to Russia, and hope she stays out of harms way. We know she’ll do us proud!
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