Did anyone see the dedication of the Billie Jean King

[mitchtv]

Tennis center in Flushing Meadows on USA network? If so did you notice when the time came for BJ to acknowledge people and as she did they panned the audience to the person she was thanking? This continued through the short list of Thankees until she got to her 1st coach's 83 yr old widow and her partner- no shot of the partner(or widow). How fucking convenient. Too "shocking " for the strate audience i suppose.

[Midlodemocrat]

1. Maybe the coach's widow and partner opted out of being filmed.

New York is a pretty progressive state, I would sincerely doubt it was because it was too 'shocking'.

[mitchtv]

2. NY maybe, but USA network?

I don't think so. She did name her partner ,first and surname, so I doubt the shyness aspect

[Midlodemocrat]

3. You never know. Some folks don't want their picture taken.

I'm just saying before you condemn Flushing and the USA network for being homophobic, there might be more to it.

[mitchtv]

4. I would never condemn Flushing

I come from Jackson Heights.How about a few endorsement deals for Billie jean and Martina? been kinda shy over the years.

[stopbush]

5. There were a few politicos that she mentioned who were also not

shown. And it took them a few seconds to locate David Dinkins when he was mentioned.

It's possible that the director simply didn't know everybody she mentioned and couldn't pick them out
of the crowd to begin with.

[mitchtv]

6. never would have happened to Andre Aggasiz?

or Chris Everett. But Gay couples? no big deal

[Sapphocrat]

7. Sort of OT, but you reminded me...

There was a REALLY nice "official" editorial in the San Jose Mercury News yesterday (with a couple of great pictures, not on the Web site). It's short, but well worth the full read -- it made me feel very, very good:

A worthy tribute to Billie Jean King

Once upon a time -- back when people had good reason to think athletic competition built character rather than merely revealed it -- many star athletes believed they had an obligation to be advocates for social justice. From Jackie Robinson to Muhammad Ali to Bill Russell, athletes risked alienating their fans to stand up for what they believed. They made the world a better place and brought honor to their sports.

<snip>

So it is a cause for celebration that six years after naming the U.S. Open Stadium after Ashe, the United States Tennis Association will name the park that hosts the U.S. Open the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. When the U.S. Open begins today, King will become the first woman in tennis history to have a Grand Slam complex named in her honor.

<snip>

...the six-time Wimbledon champion is revered among female athletes of all sports for her tireless efforts to support Title IX legislation, which requires schools to provide equal opportunities for girls to play sports. She also stood up for equal pay for female professional athletes and is the founder of the Women's Tennis Association.

American tennis has been blessed over the years with some great and popular champions. Pancho Gonzales, Jimmy Connors, Chris Evert, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras come quickly to mind. But not everyone capitalizes on that popularity to change the world.

At a time when cities and sports teams owners are routinely selling the naming rights to stadiums to the highest bidder, it is refreshing that professional tennis instead chooses to honor the game's boldest players and champions both on and off the court.

More:
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/opinion/15379418.htm

[goddess40]

8. No, but I did just watch the HBO special about her

Great person, what she did for the world is wonderful