Billie jean king gay

This is important to me to tell the truth. King said the bottom line is that she wants the LGBTQ community "to be safe" and "have the same opportunities as anybody else. Search Search. When gay news broke, she said her lawyer and her press representative urged her not to admit the truth, but King refused to deny her identity as a lesbian.

To that end, the tennis jean created the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative to help create a more inclusive workplace that will ensure equal pay and encourage self-expression. IE 11 is not supported. King sent a heartfelt message to LGBTQ youth who are still grappling with their sexual and gender identities.

When asked, in retrospect, if she would do anything differently, King said, "I'd come out earlier. Former tennis player Billie Jean King, one of the greatest female tennis players in history, was outed as a lesbian in At the time, she was married to World Team Tennis co-founder Larry King.

She also raised large sums to fight AIDS, contributed funds to combat homophobia in schools, and supported efforts to stem gay and lesbian teenage suicide rates. I don't care. Latest Stories U. By Sierra C. Billie Jean King stands on the court during a match at Wimbledon in England.

Her former secretary filed a palimony case against King, claiming she had an affair for several years with the former world No 1 and winner of 12 Grand Slam singles tournaments. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Sections U. Follow NBC News.

NBC News Logo. Skip to Content. Building on her tennis stardom to create social change, Billie Jean King has elevated the self-esteem of girls and women through her lifelong struggle for equality in the sports world. For example, she said she admires that they've adopted the word "queer," which was at one time used solely as a derogatory term.

While she noted the difference between her own experience and the experience of many LGBTQ people today, who are coming out in a more progressive society, King said she does not want others to go through what she piercing gay. Getty Images When the news broke, she said her lawyer and her press representative urged her not to admit the billie, but King refused to deny her identity as a lesbian.

Tennis star Billie Jean King reveals how she was outed by her king lover and shunned by the world, in her new autobiography. Profile My News Sign Out. Sign In Create your free profile. On May 1,Billie Jean King, driven by circumstances, became the first prominent professional female athlete to publicly come out about her homosexuality.

Sierra C. Tennis legend Billie Jean King, who is played by Emma Stone in the new movie "Battle of the Sexes," talks about the film, LGBTQ rights and being outed. The trailblazer added she supports the different ways LGBTQ teens are expressing themselves and their identities.