Billie Jean King Speaks Up for Transgender Athletes
Lesbian tennis star Billie Jean King speaks up for transgender athletes. “I don’t think people have any idea of how hard it is for trans people,” She said in U.K. paper The Telegraph last month. “Just listen to their stories. Listen—not tell them. Everyone is unique. Make them feel included because you really don’t know. With every person I meet, I try to start with a blank. Ask questions. If I weren’t doing this interview with you, I’d be bugging you with a lot of questions.”
Billie Jean King is known for her advocacy on women’s rights, especially in “The Battle of the Sexes” where she played Billy Riggs in 1973 and dominated the world of tennis for over 20 years. Through “The Battle of the Sexes,” King fought for equal pay in men’s and women’s sports. Billie Jean King forever changed public perception on women’s sports when she won this battle and beat Billy Riggs in tennis.
“You can change tradition.” King’s mantra embodies a lifelong campaign for social justice and equality.
King then urges others to engage with those who have differing opinions from you and shares a bit of her experience. Saudi Arabia, a country that has very extreme anti-LGBTQ+ views, hosted the Women’s Tennis Association Finals last year. While King does not agree with their views, she still played there, and she continues to take a stance on “the right side of history” and states, “I have a feeling it’s going to help long term. In the short term, it probably doesn’t feel like it. It’s the girls who watched it (the WTA Finals). They had some mothers and girls there of color, and they started getting excited about it. You never know how one person is going to impact another person’s life. Muhammad Ali and I used to talk about this a lot. If you don’t engage, things will stay the same.”
Similar to this story are the relations to China and tennis. WTA is returning to China after initially boycotting the country due to the disappearance of Peng Shuai, a tennis player who had accused retired Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault. “The fact we’re taking tennis back to China is important; I’m very big on engagement and building bridges,” King said, “I know things don’t change without engagement.”
While Billie Jean King shares her experience on engaging with those who have other opinions of her own, she encourages others to do the same.
There has been so much controversy surrounding transgender women in sports, especially at a time when Donald Trump’s Administration and most Republican officials attack trans athlete’s rights. There are even debates on the science behind transgender people in sports, but King speaks up to encourage listeners to be open to learn more from trans people. Hear their side, their opinion, and work with them.
Respecting other people’s beliefs can be hard, but when you open your mind to it and become willing to connect with others, it makes such a difference. Billie Jean King speaks with humility on her opinions because there is always another story. This shows a lot of courage to her supporters, which challenges us to engage with those with differing opinions. Listen to others, and be open to hearing their thoughts and their stories.
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