Billie Jean King Q&A on her participation in the delegation to Sochi
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303277704579348812282634316.html?dsk=y
Billie Jean King is among the gay former athletes who will head to Sochi as part of the U.S. delegation named by President Barack Obama, their presence a symbolic poke at a controversial Russian law banning "homosexual propaganda."
The Russian law outlawing "propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations" mandates stiff fines and jail terms for holding gay pride events, speaking in defense of gay rights or to saying gay relationships are equal to heterosexual ones. Although ostensibly intended to protect minors, the bill is written so broadly that it effectively amounts to an outright ban.
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WSJ: How do you feel about going to Russia given the law and environment toward gays and broader security concerns?
King: The law is so broad; people feel pretty free to do what they want against gays and get away with it. You hear about gays getting attacked, getting spit on. The polls say 80% of Russians are against gays, but I have personally never encountered it. The Russian people could not be nicer. I am in a privileged position. As a gay person, you are a little more alert about safety. I am sure the U.S. is going to worry about that. You have to be alert. I just hope everybody is safe and everybody gets home.
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