TRAILER: To Russia With Love

From the press materials:

To Russia With Love, an EPIX Original Documentary about two generations of Olympic LGBT athletes, will make its world premiere on Wednesday, October 29 at 8PM ET. To Russia With Love examines human rights through the lens of LGBT athletes, with iconoclastic athlete and commentator Johnny Weir serving as the viewers’ guide into this world. The documentary examines the experiences of Olympic legends Billie Jean King and Greg Louganis as well as the next generation of LGBT athletes who participated in the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. Shooting worldwide in locations as diverse as Sochi, New York City, Calgary, Toronto, St. Petersburg and Moscow, the film follows these athletes from the ice to the slopes as they bear the brunt of constant media questioning about Russia’s anti-gay laws.

Billie Jean King To Attend Sochi Closing

Billie Jean King was unable to be part of the US delegation to opening ceremonies at Sochi due to to the death of her mother. But yesterday President Obama named her as part of the closing ceremonies delegation.

"I will use this trip to honor the memory of my mother and to further my mission of equality," King said in a statement to The Associated Press. "I am thankful to President Obama for including me and I look forward to supporting the men and women of Team USA in Sochi." Russia has been widely criticized for passing a national law last year that banned gay "propaganda" to minors. King and two other openly gay athletes — Brian Boitano and Caitlin Cahow — were selected for the delegation at the opening ceremony. Obama said it showed the U.S. doesn't make distinctions based on sexual orientation.

Also on the closing delegation are gold medalists Bonnie Blair and Eric Heiden.

Billie Jean King To Miss Sochi Opening Ceremonies Due To Ill Mother

USA Today reports:

Billie Jean King, one of three openly gay members on the U.S. delegation for the Sochi Olympics, will miss the opening ceremony Friday because of her mother's failing health. King said Wednesday she needs to be with her mother and brother "at this difficult time." "I want to thank President Obama for including me in this historic mission and I look forward to supporting our athletes as they compete in Sochi," King said in a statement. King, figure skating champion Brian Boitano and two-time Olympic hockey medalist Caitlin Cahow were appointed to the Sochi delegation by President Barack Obama in what was widely seen as a sign of disapproval for Russia's anti-gay propaganda law. The former tennis champion was the most visible member of the delegation, which for the first time in years did not include the president, vice president, first lady, former president or cabinet member.

It's unclear if King will be able to attend at all.

Billie Jean King: Our Sochi Olympics Delegation Might Wave Rainbow Flags

In an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, Billie Jean King said that the US Sochi delegation might wave rainbow flags.

“Maybe we should wave rainbow flags or something, I don’t know,” she said, drawing an analogy to the Black Power salute – a raised fist – given by two American athletes at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. “As long as we’re not being malicious,” she said, “we can show our feelings.” President Obama named the former tennis champion, who is gay, to the American delegation at the Olympics earlier this week. “I'm very proud to go as an athlete, and as a gay woman,” she said. “I'm thrilled.” Russia’s hosting of the Olympics has been surrounded by controversy in large measure because of a law enacted earlier this year banning gay “propaganda,” which has contributed to many gay Russians fleeing the country. “I'm not real big on boycotting,” King told Amanpour. “It has to be absolutely a last resort.”

King went on to hope that she is provided "good security."

White House Announces Sochi Delegation, Obamas & Bidens Will Not Attend

Via press release from the White House:

The Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russian Federation will be held on February 7, 2014. The delegation will attend athletic events, meet with U.S. athletes, and attend the Opening Ceremony. The Honorable Janet A. Napolitano, President of the University of California, will lead the delegation. The Honorable Michael A. McFaul, United States Ambassador to the Russian Federation. The Honorable Robert L. Nabors, Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy. The Honorable Billie Jean King, Member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, Member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Mr. Brian A. Boitano, Olympic gold medalist, figure skating.

Neither of the Obamas, no Joe Biden, but a trio of gays. That's a message. Of course, neither Napolitano nor Boitano have actually come out. There will be lots of reading of the tea leaves for the next few days.

UPDATE: Via the Associated Press.

The Human Rights Campaign, one of the groups that wrote the White House last month asking Obama to include gays and lesbians in the delegation, applauded the unveiling of the delegation Tuesday. "It's a positive sign to see openly gay representatives in the delegation," said spokesman Michael Cole-Schwartz. "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." On other fronts, the 2014 delegation appears to be a step back from previous years, when the U.S. sent top-level administration officials to represent the U.S. at the Olympic ceremonies. First lady Michelle Obama led the delegation to the London Games in 2012, while Vice President Joe Biden headed the effort in 2010 in Vancouver. Obama's schedule will not permit him to attend the games in Sochi in February, the White House said.

National Gay & Lesbian Sports Hall Of Fame To Induct First Class Of Honorees

Tonight the National Gay & Lesbian Sports Hall Of Fame will induct its first class of honorees in Chicago.

Dave Pallone, who was part of Chicago history when he umpired the first night game at Wrigley Field, is returning to Chicago to take part in another chapter of American sports history: His inclusion in the inaugural class of what organizers say is the first-of-its-kind National Gay & Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame. On Friday night, Pallone will be honored in the first class of inductees that includes tennis greats Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King, Olympic diving champion Greg Louganis, and Jason Collins, who in April became the first active male professional athlete in a major team sport to publicly reveal he was gay. "It is a tremendous honor and ... I hope it gives young people and adults alike who happen to be LGBT and want to be in professional sports another example of why they should continue to strive for their dreams," Pallone said.

Being posthumously inducted is late pro baseball player Glenn Burke, who is credited with popularizing the high-five. Burke died of AIDS in 1995.

Obama Pride: LGBT Celebs Speak Out

Watch this!

Presidential Medals Of Freedom Awarded To Billie Jean King & Harvey Milk

Accepting Harvey Milk's posthumous award was his nephew, Stuart Milk.

Billie Jean King: Not So Fast On My Palin Comment

After her admiring description of Sarah Palin blasted through the LGBT blogosphere today, Billie Jean King has issued a clarification.

"Last Friday, reporter from the New York Observer asked me what I thought about Sarah Palin. I told her I thought Sarah Palin was honest and real. I believe that. But, that in no way should be viewed as an endorsement of any kind. I oppose many of the positions of Sarah Palin, particularly those tied to the LGBT community. I am supporting Barack Obama and, in fact, I have lent my name to both Women for Obama and the Obama LGBT Steering and Policy Committee"

Whew!

(Via - 365gay.com)

HomoQuotable - Billie Jean King

"Now we're back to the experience. Remember how they were talking about how the experience for Hillary wasn't necessary? Do you notice how they're talking about experience again? I'm just cracking up. I'm just like, whatever! I think Palin's great. I think she's awesome. I think she's honest, I think she's real." - Tennis legend Billie Jean King when asked about the media's treatment of Sarah Palin.