Tennis legend Billie Jean King on
Thursday said it would be acceptable for gay Olympians to protest
Russia's anti-gay law during the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi.
King is one of three openly gay
athletes who will officially represent the United States at the Sochi
Games as part of a presidential delegation organized by the White
House. The other two athletes are hockey player Caitlin Cahow and
figure skater Brian Boitano, who came out on Thursday.
(Related: Brian
Boitano comes out gay; Ups number of gay athletes in Olympic
delegation.)
Gay rights activists have urged leaders
to boycott the games in protest of the nation's “gay propaganda”
law, which prohibits public demonstrations of support for the LGBT
community.
Appearing on CNN , King told Christiane
Amanpour that waving a rainbow flag might be an appropriate
demonstration for gay Olympians.
“It's okay to say what you feel and
think. As long as they're protected,” King said. “But if you
look back at the '68 Olympics with the fist. … Maybe we should wave
rainbow flags or something. I don't know. There's no reason, as
long as we're not being malicious, but we can show our feelings. I
think that's fine. I think it's okay. But by even being present and
not boycotting sends a very positive message.”