Openly gay tennis legend Billie Jean King will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a ceremony on Aug. 12. King and Harvey Milk are the two openly gay people receiving the award in August. Jack Kemp joins King as the only sports figures on the latest list.
Some gay people consider it a lovely gesture to include King and Milk, and some consider it a hollow gesture from a White House that has not acted more quickly to overturn Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act. The White House’s description of King is after the jump.
Billie Jean King was an acclaimed professional tennis player in the 1960s and 1970s, and has helped champion gender equality issues not only in sports, but in all areas of public life. King beat Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match, then the most viewed tennis match in history. King became one of the first openly lesbian major sports figures in America when she came out in 1981. Following her professional tennis career, King became the first woman commissioner in professional sports when she co-founded and led the World Team Tennis (WTT) League. The U.S. Tennis Association named the National Tennis Center, where the US Open is played, the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in 2006.
on Jul 31st, 2009 at 5:06 pm
IT IS ABOUT TIME!!!
And I say it loudly because I always felt Billie was left out a few years back when that homophobic president with no respect for women’s sports honored just about every sports legend… Who was both male and straight. I am very thankful that this sports pioneer Billie Jean King has finally received her due, and that it was made possible by a president that was willing to right at least one of the very many wrongs of his predecessor.
Now you readers are going to have to forgive me for being overly political on this matter, but I honestly believe that Billie Jean King’s award for her contribution to the American Experience should have come many years ago. Just look at what she has done for so many people, and you’ll see for yourself.
Thanks, Billie!
on Aug 2nd, 2009 at 6:57 pm
I was confused because I thought this was another Michael Jackson post at first. Congrats BJK!!!
on Aug 4th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
“….some consider it a hollow gesture” Well I guess the man is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t.