‘I Was Outed in 81 for Being Gay’
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. Discover key moments in her career, including her 39 Grand Slam titles and the iconic Battle of the Sexes match, as well as her ongoing impact on social change and sports activism. She is considered one of the greatest female tennis players of all time.
An American Sports Icon’s Legacy of LGBTQ Rights
On May 1, , Billie Jean King, driven by circumstances, became the first prominent professional female athlete to publicly come out about her homosexuality. 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. When the 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. I don't care. Billie Jean King on LGBTQ identity
Activism May 28, An American Sports Icon’s Legacy of LGBTQ Rights Billie Jean King’s long history of activism proved that the personal is political. Every year I ask my female students at Occidental College if they played sports in high school. About half of them raise their hands. BILLIE JEAN KING
American tennis legend and time Grand Slam singles champion, Billie Jean King recounts being outed in after coming out about her homosexuality. Despite rumors they were on the verge of splitting, the Kings had become pregnant. At the time, abortion was still a felony in many states across the country. How Billie Jean King was outed by her secret lover, then
Tennis star Billie Jean King challenged America to create more opportunities for women and LGBTQ people. Her advocacy for women’s sports in the s and s revolutionized school, amateur, and professional athletics. The seats of the Siegel Center were filled with students anxiously waiting for renowned tennis icon Billie Jean King to take the podium last Thursday night. The openly gay and former World No. 'It Was Horrible'
In May , Billie Jean King became the first prominent female athlete to publicly come out as gay. This revelation came during a time when coming out posed significant personal and professional risks, both in and out of the sporting world. . 
Billie Jean King Led a Revolution in Women’s Sports and LGBTQ
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. 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. .
Timeline of Billie Jean King
The scandal led to King losing her endorsements, so at age 38 she returned to the court and continued playing on the women’s tennis tour for a year, ultimately making it to the semifinals of Wimbledon in 19and ranking in the top King emphasized the importance of coming out on your own terms. “If you’re ready, you’re ready. .