In a stroke of pure genius, President Obama has made a bold, brilliant move to pubicly refute Russia's horrific anti-gay laws. By including openly gay tennis legend Billie Jean King in the U.S. delegation to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Obama is sending the vivid message to the world about sports, equality and human rights.
Does anyone really think that King -- the epitomy of guts and grace under pressure, who won the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" against Bobby Riggs with the future of the entire female population riding on every serve (she won, of course), and who has spent a lifetime fighting for human rights and equality -- won't make waves, and do something historic to help change hearts and minds and with this rare opportunity? King's quote in response to Obama's announcement signals she's set to do more than just show up:
"I think there's watershed moments, benchmarks. I would hope the majority of the athletes would speak out. It's a great platform."
But beyond choosing openly gay athletes like King -- and skipping the Olympics himself, as will the vice president, their wives and cabinet members -- Obama has sent Vladimir Putin a resoundingly clear message.
The highest-ranking official attending the Games will be former Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, and 1988 Olympic figure skating gold medalist Brian Boitano also will be part of the group.
The question becomes, what kind of a statement can King and the other U.S. delegates come up with? It's one of the most intrugiuing questions ever for LGBT equality around the world.
What do you think King could/should do to with her moment in the world spotlight?
