James Blake and Hudson Taylor speak out against Sergiy Stakhovsky’s comments
Today Athlete Ally speaks out against Sergiy Stakhovsky’s anti-gay comments:
Statement from James Blake, ATP Tennis Player and Athlete Ally Pro Ambassador
“As a former ATP player and father of two amazing daughters, I would be thrilled if they followed in the footsteps of inspirational greats like Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King. Stakhovsky’s comments are out of line, out of touch, and stand in opposition to the values that tennis taught me. And Stakhovsky is kidding himself if he believes there are no gay tennis players in the top 100. I hope that if any players inside or outside the top 100 decide to come out, they will be welcomed and supported.”
Statement from Hudson Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of Athlete Ally
“Sport brings people together. It affirms and unites people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Sergiy Stakhovsky’s offensive anti-gay comments are in direct opposition to the tennis community’s values of respect and inclusion. LGBT tennis players have, and always will be, a part of the sport. I hope for his daughter’s sake, that Stakhovsky takes this opportunity to learn about and appreciate LGBT athletes in tennis and beyond.”
Athlete Ally’s mission is to educate and activate athletic communities to eliminate homophobia and transphobia in sports and to exercise their leadership to champion LGBT equality. Founded in 2012, Athlete Ally has worked with the NBA, WNBA, and MLB on matters of respect and inclusion; led the Principle 6 campaign that convinced the International Olympic Committee to include sexual orientation in the non-discrimination clause of the Olympic Charter; and counts more than 100 college, professional, and Olympic athletes among its dedicated and active Ambassadors. www.athleteally.org