Martina Navratilova: Jason Collins' Coming Out 'Will Save Lives'

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who helped pave the way for Jason Collins' coming out with her own years ago, praised Jason Collins in a Sports Illustrated column today.

She says, humbly, that although she had less support and lost endorsements it was easier in a way:

When I came out, in 1981, I didn't have much public support and I know I lost endorsements. But I never had to worry about losing my job. In tennis, there are no bosses, no general managers and no coaches who can keep players from competing. So I was safe in that regard. For team sports athletes, this is not the case. A homophobic coach at any level -- high school, college or pros -- could keep a player from playing.

And she makes note of what it will mean for gay kids:

Now that Jason Collins has come out, he is the proverbial "game-changer." One of the last bastions of homophobia has been challenged. How many LGBT kids, once closeted, are now more likely to pursue a team sport and won't be scared away by a straight culture?

Collins has led the way to freedom. Yes, freedom -- because that closet is completely and utterly suffocating. It's only when you come out that you can breathe properly. It's only when you come out that you can be exactly who you are. Collins' action will save lives. This is no exaggeration: Fully one third of suicides among teenagers occur because of their sexuality. Collins will truly affect lives, too. Millions of kids will see that it is OK to be gay. No need for shame, no need for embarrassment, no need for hiding.

Navratilova hopes that Collins actions create "an avalanche" of similar revelations.

In related news, Billie Jean King tweeted today:

I am thrilled @JasonCollins34 was able to come out on his own terms and, as he put it, is ready to continue the conversation. This is a day of celebration for the LGBT community and for all of us. I look forward to the day when the news of anyone coming out, is a non-issue and once we reach that point we will know we have arrived.

LGBT Celebrities Speak Out for Obama: VIDEO

Jane Lynch, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Chaz Bono, George Takei, Zachary Quinto, Wanda Sykes, and Billie Jean King speak out about Obama's LGBT accomplishments and what it means to them in a new video for the campaign.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

And remember, get out and vote!

Wealthy, Influential Lesbian Activists Form Super PAC, LPAC

Why should boys have all the political fun? Frustrated by a seeming lack of organization among civic-minded lesbians, a group of women led by Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts and including Jane Lynch and Billie Jean King have founded LPAC, a super PAC that will fight for women's and gay rights.

"Being a woman and being gay is really a unique position in our society,” Ricketts told the Washington Post. "I know in my experience of activism, oftentimes it makes a difference if something is women-focused. It’s likely to get the attention of women much more easily.”

Ricketts knows a thing or two about political schmoozing: she's an Obama bundler and co-chair of the DNC's LGBT Leadership Council. And politics is in her blood: her father is Joe Ricketts, the TD Ameritrade founder and fellow Cubs owner whose political advisors suggested he resurrect the Jeremiah Wright controversy to derail President Obama's reelection.

LPAC hopes to raise $1 million to help fight measures that would ban marriage equality or hinder women's rights, they said. And though that's not a lot of money in political terms, LPAC chairwoman Sarah Schmidt says the group is as much about visibility as it is about dollars and cents.

"If it raises $5 million, amazing. But if it raises $500,000, we have still raised $500,000 for critical races and it’s being raised from lesbian leaders whose voices may not have been heard before," said Schmidt, who, like Ricketts, comes from a wealthy and influential Midwest family: her forefathers began the oil distribution company U.S. Venture Inc.

The Post reports that gay activist Urvashi Vaid and former Provincetown Banner publisher Alix Ritchie sit on LPAC's central committee, while high-profile lesbians Lynch and King "also have pledged support."

King told the paper, "The formation of LPAC provides lesbians and the entire LGBT community a new, stronger voice and a real and respected seat at the table when politicians make policy that impacts our lives."

Tennis Legend Margaret Court Doesn't Want to Be Labeled a Hater for Calling Gays 'Abominable'

Tennis legend-turned-pastor Margaret Court, who spoke out against marriage equality in December, doesn't want to be called a hater, she tells the NYT in a new interview defending her remarks.

Said Court about gay people in December:

"They 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. No amount of legislation or political point-scoring can ever take out of the human heart the knowledge that in the beginning God created them male and female and provided each with a unique sexual function to bring forth new life. To dismantle this sole definition of marriage and try to legitimise 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."

After anger from fellow tennis players Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova and threats of a protest by LGBT rights groups at this month's Australian Open, Court says "I don’t hate homosexual people" but stands by her remarks:

I remember, probably 10, 12 years ago, I spoke with Martina Navratilova. To say that I “hate” homosexuals and lesbians is not [accurate] because we have them in our church. I work with them. And I remember saying to Martina: “Martina, I love you. God loves you. But a wrong doesn’t make a right.”...

...I make a stand for both my biblical side, and what I believe. And I think — it’s a choice. And I think there’s young people today that need to know it’s a choice in life. And that was my side of it, bringing that forth. I’ve got nothing against the people themselves, I’ve always said that all the years I’ve been a minister.

More at the NYT...

Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King Condemn Fellow Tennis Legend Margaret Court's Anti-Gay Remarks

Last week I mentioned that tennis legend Margaret Court, now an evangelical pastor, spoke out against same-sex marriage in response to Australia's push for marriage equality.

Said Court: "No amount of legislation or political point-scoring can ever take out of the human heart the knowledge that in the beginning God created them male and female and provided each with a unique sexual function to bring forth new life. To dismantle this sole definition of marriage and try to legitimise 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."

Court's comments did not sit well with fellow tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King, both out and proud lesbians. They spoke with the Tennis Channel.

Said Navratilova: “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...I have tried to talk to Margaret, but to say she’s completely close-minded on the issue is an understatement...Here is hoping Australia will be on the right side of history and human rights, and become yet another democracy granting equal rights to all her citizens.”

Said King: "I respectfully disagree with Margaret’s position on gay marriage...We have to commit to eliminating homophobia because everyone is entitled to the same rights, opportunities and protection...The more we talk openly about issues like gay marriage, the more we learn about each other. It is a blessing the people of Australia can live freely and express their own opinions because we need open dialogue to help us move forward.

Billie Jean King Corrects White House: 39 Grand Slams, Not 12

Politico caught up with Billie Jean King after yesterday's Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony and she noted that the White House got some of her stats wrong. 

Said King: "They didn’t get any of my facts right. Did you see all the – how many titles I won? I was cracking up. Not even in the ballpark...I thought it was adorable. Who cares? ..Well the Grand Slam’s at 39 not at 12. That’s not what’s important...Like, just move on, get off the tennis stuff. Tennis was a platform."

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

King has won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, 16 Grand Slam women's doubles titles, and 11 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.