Billie Jean King wants the sports world to listen to trans athletes’ stories

From winning 12 Grand Slam singles titles to making Bobby Riggs choke on his misogynist words, Billie Jean King has always stepped up her game when it mattered most.

Now in her eighth decade and well aware of the power of her words as an inner circle tennis legend, she continues to rise to the occasion when advocating for the LGBTQ community in the sports world.

In a wide ranging interview with The Guardian sportswriter Fiona Tomas, King spoke on the subject of the inclusion of trans women in sports. She emphasized her belief that the top thing the trans community needs in these perilous times for them is empathy.

“The whole thing’s a nightmare,” King said. “I don’t think people have any idea how hard it is for trans people. Just listen to their stories. Listen—not tell them. Everyone is unique. Make them feel included because you really don’t know.”

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As someone with the influence that she has, one of the best things King can do is uplift trans voices. And one of the most effective ways to accomplish that is to listen to transgender people’s life experiences.

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“With every person I meet, I try to start with a blank. Ask questions. If I weren’t doing this interview with you, I’d be bugging you with a lot of questions,” King added.

Having existed in the spotlight for more than a half century, King’s ability to recognize when she can learn something by listening is as laudable as it is rare in a celebrity of her magnitude.

While King did not call for the inclusion of trans women in female sports, her call to make transgender athletes’ voices the focal point of the issue was welcome in this era.

And it’s more inclusive of trans voices than things Martina Navratilova has said about the subject in the last few years.

It’s why Billie Jean King continues to be celebrated at 81 years old. Every time she speaks, she continues to make her legacy stronger.

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