President Obama has been a vocal opponent to the controversial anti-gay laws of Russian President Vladimir Putin for months now, speaking out against the oppressive laws and those of any country that share Putin’s views. And now President Obama has sent a jab Putin’s way by revealing that he’s appointed openly gay athletes to act as his delegates at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
According to ESPN, Obama won’t be attending the games and that he’ll be sending delegates in his place. At least two of them being openly gay and that includes tennis legend Billie Jean King and Caitlin Cahow, a 2006 Olympic medalist in women’s ice hockey.
Although spokesman Shin Inouye didn’t address the controversy surrounding Russia’s laws against “gay propaganda” or Obama’s opposition to them, it was noted that the delegate choice “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.”
Besides King, who will attend the opening ceremony and Cahow, who will attend the closing ceremony, the delegation will also include figure skating Olympic medalist Brian Boitano and University of California President Janet Napolitano, the former Homeland Security secretary, both of whom have been questioned about their sexuality in the past, with Boitano refusing to confirm or deny being gay.
“I am equally proud to stand with the members of the LGBT community in support of all athletes who will be competing in Sochi and I hope these Olympic Games will indeed be a watershed moment for the universal acceptance of all people,” said King, who said she was “deeply proud” to be chosen for the delegation.
And we’re proud of Obama and the whole delegation for sending a message of acceptance and solidarity when it comes to sexuality in America. Check out some other LGBT activists after the cut. – nicholas robinson
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Jason Collins
Openly gay former NBA player Jason Collins spoke to the International Olympic Committee, urging them to show support for gay athletes in Russia and aid in protecting the LGBT citizens of Russia.
Martina Navratilova
Openly gay tennis star Martina Navratilova spoke to the International Olympic Committee, urging them to show support for gay athletes in Russia and aid in protecting the LGBT citizens of Russia.
Wentworth Miller
Former “Prison Break” star Wentworth Miller made major headlines in August when he revealed that he’s gay in letter announcing his protest of the St. Petersburg International Film Festival in Russia due to the nation’s anti-gay laws.
Lady Gaga
In a recent interview, openly bisexual singer Lady Gaga praised British Olympic diver Tom Daley for coming out as bisexual. She then claimed that Americans should withdraw their support from the Olympics while Russia still has its anti-gay laws.
