Obama selects gay athletes for Sochi delegation
In what will be viewed largely as a response to Russia's discriminatory anti-gay laws, President Barack Obama has selected former tennis great Billie Jean King and former hockey player Caitlin Cahow, who are both lesbian, as part of the delegation to represent the White House at the Sochi Olympics in 2014. Obama made the announcement Tuesday. King will represent the United States in the opening ceremony, while Cahow will be part of the delegation for the closing ceremony.
The White House's official release included the following:
“An impressive group of officials and iconic athletes will represent our government at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. We’re honored to assist their participation in any way that we can and certain that America’s elite athletes will put on a great show.”
The move from the White House is seen as a clear and strong denouncement of Russian laws that prohibit the promotion of nontraditional sexual relationships to minors. Signed in June by president Vladimir Putin, the laws ban public displays of affection between non-heterosexual couples and even the discussion of same-sex relationships in an effort to curb their exposure to children. Penalties for violations of those laws include jail time, fines and other punitive damages.
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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1893014-president-obama-chooses-gay-athletes-to-represent-sochi-olympics-delegation
Ha!
Poking Putin in the eye. He couldn't have chosen a better person than Billie Jean King.
