Martina Navratilova encourages athletes to come out

From Gay Star News:

Martina Navratilova, the world’s greatest ever female tennis star has told Gay Star News that closeted gay athletes should come out.

The lesbian multiple-Grand Slam champion says LGBT athletes who are not open are just ‘too paranoid’, in an interview released by GSN today (27 July) to mark the official start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

There are only a handful of openly LGBT people competing in the Olympics this summer – far less than 1% and sport is often cited as being institutionally homophobic.

Keep reading HERE.

Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova respond to Margaret Court's homophobic interview

From LaRosa's Sweet Spot on TennisChannel.com, an update on some tennis legends, one of whom is a hateful homophobe, whose BS can be found HERE:

Earlier this week, Australian tennis legend Margaret Court gave an interview to The West Australian in which she came down strongly not just against gay marriage, but gays themselves .

Among the controversial statements made by Court, now a pastor in Perth’s Victory Life Church:

* “Politically correct education has masterfully escorted homosexuality out from behind closed doors, into the community openly and now is aggressively demanding marriage rights that are not theirs to take.”

* “"[Marriages between a man and a woman] are not perfect, often dysfunctional and despite the fact the role models may be distorted and even severely flawed, there is no reason to put forward alternative, unhealthy, unnatural unions as some form of substitute.”

* "To dismantle this sole definition of marriage [as between a man and a woman] and try to legitimize what God calls abominable sexual practices that include sodomy, reveals our ignorance as to the ills that come when society is forced to accept law that violates their very own God-given nature of what is right and what is wrong."

* "The fact that the homosexual cry is, 'We can't help it as we were born this way', as the cause behind their own personal choice is cause for concern. Every action begins with a thought. There is a choice to be made."

Her remarks drew fire not just from readers, who took to Court’s Twitter account to lambaste her, but from her former colleagues who beg to differ.

“I respectfully disagree with Margaret’s position on gay marriage,” Billie Jean King shares with the Sweet Spot. Out since 1981, King has long been a champion for human rights, gay rights among them. “We have to commit to eliminating homophobia because everyone is entitled to the same rights, opportunities and protection.”

Martina Navratilova, another vocal advocate for gay rights since she came out in 1981, is also not having it. “Seems to me a lot of people have evolved as has the Bible, [for example regarding] slavery. Unfortunately, Margaret Court has not. Her myopic view is truly frightening as well as damaging to the thousands of children already living in same gender families.”

Keep reading HERE.

Martina Navratilova signs UK Charter Against Homophobia in Sport

Martina Navratilova signing the UK Charter

Navratilova with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Martina Navratilova urges athletes to come out

From Diva magazine, a message from Martina Navratilova (h/t Brian Sims):

Speaking to DIVA following David Cameron's reception at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday, she said transparency in sport is vital.

"Homophobia and transphobia in sports are problems that we need to give a lot more work and attention to eliminate. Fortunately (for me unfortunately), the UK is way ahead of the US in tackling these issues.

"I would love for more individuals and organisations to stand up and take a more forceful and public stand against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression. Too many gyms, locker rooms, and playing fields are often perceived as unsafe places for LGBT students. That can discourage that spirit and natural gifts of athletes. Athletes themselves should not fear coming out. Nobody should be able to stop you from playing. If you are good enough, you get to play and you get to win."

She also said that a greater number of out players would improve the wider culture of sport.

"I believe if all the gay men and women came out, the sports world and the world in general would be a lot better off. Athletes today are progressing to unprecedented levels of skill and strength. But homophobia slowly poisons the process and prevents people from realizing their dreams. And as long as prejudice prevails, athletes won't get their fair due.

"We must ensure that everyone has a voice; we must challenge unacceptable behaviour, and rid the sports world of homophobia and transphobia. Then and only then, will we make sports a welcome place for everyone."