President Barack Obama sent Russia a clear message about its treatment of gays and lesbians with who he is -- and isn't -- sending to represent the United States at the Sochi Olympics.
Billie Jean King will be one of two openly gay athletes in the U.S. delegation for the opening and closing ceremonies, Obama announced Tuesday. For the first time since 2000, however, the U.S. will not send a president, former president, first lady or vice president to the Games.
Now, Billie Jean is not my lover, but I love seeing her going off to the Olympics as a representative along with Czech-born Martina Navratilova, the other "openly gay athlete"! Czechmate!
King told the press she was "deeply honored" to represent the United States at the event.
Buddy Beaverhausen can only assume Greg Louganis was not available. I mean "gayness" is actually part of that man's name! Plus he's still a cutie-pie.
ESPN (yes, that ESPN!) continued:
Russia has come under fierce criticism for passing national laws banning "gay propaganda." Though the White House did not specifically address the Russian laws in making its announcement, spokesman Shin Inouye said the delegation "represents the diversity that is the United States" and that Obama "knows they will showcase to the world the best of America -- diversity, determination and teamwork."
The White House said Obama's schedule will not permit him to attend the Games.
"It's a positive sign to see openly gay representatives in the delegation," said Michael Cole-Schwartz, spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, which recently sent a letter urging Obama to include gays and lesbians in the delegation. "Hopefully it sends a message to the Russian people and the rest of the world that the United States values the civil and human rights of LGBT people."
No comments:
Post a Comment