Legends debate gay rights

MELBOURNE, Australia — Martina Navratilova and Margaret Smith Court are two of the best players in the history of women's tennis, but they could hardly be more different.

Czech-born U.S. citizen Navratilova, 55, is an icon of the gay and lesbian movement. The Australian Court, 69, is a Pentecostal minister and will not stop telling Navratilova that God "loves" her though she is a lesbian.

One of the main venues at the Australian Open takes it name from Court. The Australian gay movement is out to change that.

"Time to rename Margaret Court Arena," Kerryn Phelps, a doctor and a leader for the gay rights movement wrote to the prime minister of the state of Victoria, which includes Melbourne.

Why is Margaret Court making waves? For many, her record seven consecutive Australian Open titles from 1960-66 are a blurred, distant memory. To them, she is much better known for her outspoken opposition to same-sex marriage, which is still an open debate in Australia.

"We live in a free society and I stand up for families between a husband and a wife," Court said.

She stressed that she has "nothing against homosexual people."

"We have them in our church. I help them to overcome. We have people who have been homosexual who are now married," Court said. "I have been married for 44 years this year and, to me, marriage is something very special, wonderful, ordained by God. I look at the children of our next generation and think of the problems they are having in America with all this — we don't need it in our nation."

Court's comments met with immediate criticism from Navratilova and Billie Jean King, another former tennis star who is very active in the gay rights movement. Australian doubles player Rennae Stubbs accused Court of inciting hatred against homosexuals.

Before the tournament, Tennis Australia reacted to the controversial remarks: "Margaret Court has won more grand slam titles than any other player. We respect her playing record, it is second to none. But her personal views are her own, and are definitely not shared by Tennis Australia. We concur wholeheartedly with the WTA who stated that 'all human beings, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or otherwise, should be treated equally.' "

Navratilova played her first match in the Legends' Doubles Tournament on Sunday in Melbourne at Margaret Court Arena.

"It's an honor, as always, to be on that court," said the nine-time Wimbledon champion. "Clearly, Margaret Court's views that she has expressed on same-sex marriage I think are outdated.''

Navratilova recalled that years ago, Court told her that heterosexuality is natural and that homosexuality is acquired over the course of life, particularly because of childhood trauma.

At her news conference Monday, Navratilova appeared surprised when asked if people become gay during their life.

"You don't turn. Do you turn straight? No, you didn't,'' she said. "You don't turn gay. No, I think you don't know enough about the issue when you frame a question like that. You don't just turn. You either are or not."