A Champion for All: How Billie Jean King Forged Alliances Across Civil Rights Movements

Billie Jean King is widely remembered as the tennis legend who defeated Bobby Riggs in the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” and as a relentless advocate for gender equality in sports. Yet her activism extended far beyond the tennis court. King actively collaborated with a broad spectrum of civil rights movements, using her platform to fight not only for women’s rights but also for racial justice, LGBTQ+ equality, economic fairness, and disability rights. Her ability to build coalitions across movements made her a unique and powerful force for social change in the 20th and 21st centuries. This article explores the depth and breadth of those collaborations, highlighting how King’s intersectional approach helped advance multiple causes simultaneously. Her life’s work demonstrates that true equality cannot be achieved in isolation—each struggle is connected, and each victory strengthens the others.

The Foundation: Fighting for Gender Equality in Sports

King’s primary entry point into activism was the fight for gender equality within tennis and athletics. She understood that achieving true equality required systemic change, not just individual victories. Her efforts in this arena laid the groundwork for her future collaborations with other movements, establishing her as a credible and relentless advocate who refused to accept the status quo.

Co-Founding the Women’s Tennis Association and Equal Prize Money

In 1973, King and a group of other top female players founded the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). The WTA was a direct response to the vast disparity in prize money between men’s and women’s tournaments. At the time, male champions routinely earned ten times what their female counterparts earned for the same work. King persuaded players to sign $1 contracts with the organization, creating a unified voice for women in the sport. Her advocacy led to the US Open becoming the first major tournament to offer equal prize money to men and women in 1973, a milestone that reverberated across professional sports. This fight was not just about money; it was about the fundamental principle that women’s athletic achievements deserved equal recognition. The WTA remains a model for gender equity in sports governance, and King’s insistence on collective bargaining paved the way for future generations of female athletes to demand fair compensation.

The Battle of the Sexes and Its Broader Cultural Impact

The 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” match against Bobby Riggs was a self-conscious piece of activism. King understood that winning would be a symbolic victory for women everywhere. The match drew an estimated 90 million viewers worldwide and became a watershed moment for second-wave feminism. King later stated that she “wanted to change the hearts and minds of people” about women’s capabilities. The event spurred conversations about gender roles in the workplace, at home, and in society at large. King used the stage to explicitly link her victory to the broader struggle for women’s liberation, telling a national audience that “every woman on this court is a fighter for the women’s movement.” The match also had practical effects: it helped legitimize women’s professional tennis and encouraged networks to televise women’s sports more frequently. King’s performance under immense pressure demonstrated that athletic excellence and political advocacy could go hand in hand.

Title IX and Legislative Advocacy

King was an early and vocal supporter of Title IX, the 1972 federal law that banned sex discrimination in federally funded education programs. She recognized that Title IX would have a transformative effect on girls’ and women’s participation in sports. In the early years, the law faced fierce opposition from those who claimed it would destroy men’s athletic programs. King lobbied Congress, testified at hearings, and spoke at rallies to protect the law from attacks. Her advocacy helped ensure that Title IX was enforced, leading to a dramatic increase in female athletic participation at the high school and collegiate levels. Before Title IX, fewer than 300,000 girls played high school sports in the United States; by the 2020s, that number exceeded 3.4 million. King’s work in this area connected gender equity in sports with broader educational opportunity, forming a bridge to other civil rights battles. She often emphasized that equal access to sports was not just a recreational issue but a matter of educational justice.

Solidarity with the Civil Rights Movement for Racial Equality

King’s commitment to equality did not stop at gender. She actively worked alongside the civil rights movement, using her platform to speak out against racial discrimination and support Black athletes and activists. She understood that her own struggle for gender equality was inseparable from the fight against racism.

Early Influences and Mentorship from African American Athletes

King credits her early exposure to racial injustice as a child in Long Beach, California, as a formative influence. She was deeply inspired by Althea Gibson, the first African American to win a Grand Slam title in 1956. King later said that Gibson was a “pioneer for all tennis players, especially women and people of color.” King also developed a close friendship with Arthur Ashe, the legendary Black tennis champion and civil rights activist. They frequently discussed strategies for using sports to combat racism. Ashe became a mentor to King, and they collaborated on numerous initiatives, including efforts to integrate the All-England Club at Wimbledon, which had historically excluded non-white members and players. King and Ashe also co-founded the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) in 1972, although their shared vision extended far beyond business—they believed tennis could be a vehicle for social change.

Speaking Out Against Apartheid and Racial Discrimination

King was a vocal opponent of South Africa’s apartheid regime. In the 1970s and 1980s, she supported the international sports boycott of South Africa and advocated for the expulsion of South African players from international tournaments. King refused to play in South Africa during apartheid, even when offered lucrative appearance fees that could have secured her financial future. She also publicly supported the United Nations’ Special Committee against Apartheid and spoke at rallies calling for the release of Nelson Mandela. Her stance put her at odds with some sponsors and tennis officials, but she never wavered. King also used her influence to pressure the Women’s Tennis Association and other tennis organizations to adopt anti-apartheid policies. Her activism in this area demonstrated that sports could not remain neutral in the face of systematic racial oppression.

Supporting Black Tennis Pioneers and Using Her Platform

King used her media presence to highlight the achievements and struggles of Black tennis players. She publicly praised Venus and Serena Williams early in their careers, understanding that their success would challenge racial stereotypes in tennis. King also participated in events organized by the American Tennis Association (ATA), the historically Black tennis organization, to promote diversity within the sport. In 1971, she played a match against Rosie Casals in Harlem to raise money for youth tennis programs in underserved communities. King consistently argued that racial and gender equality were inextricably linked, stating, “You can’t separate one form of prejudice from another.” She also advocated for the inclusion of Black coaches and administrators in tennis, recognizing that representation at all levels was essential for lasting change.

Pioneering LGBTQ+ Advocacy

King’s personal identity as a gay woman informed her activism. She became one of the first high-profile athletes to come out publicly, using her visibility to fight for LGBTQ+ acceptance and legal equality. Her courage in the face of intense homophobia helped shift the culture of professional sports.

Coming Out and the Personal Price

King was outed in 1981 when a former lover filed a palimony lawsuit. However, instead of retreating, King embraced her identity and became a public advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She lost millions of dollars in endorsement deals as a result, but she refused to hide. In a 1981 interview with People magazine, she said, “I just want to be myself. I am Billie Jean King. I am a woman. I am a tennis player. And I am a lesbian.” This act of courage inspired countless LGBTQ+ people in sports and beyond. King later became a prominent supporter of the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. She also served on the board of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, working to combat the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS in the 1980s and 1990s.

Founding the Women’s Sports Foundation and Inclusion

In 1974, King co-founded the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF), an organization dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women through sports. From its inception, the WSF adopted an inclusive policy that explicitly welcomed LGBTQ+ athletes and leaders. King insisted that the foundation’s mission included “all women, regardless of sexual orientation.” The WSF became a safe space for LGBTQ+ athletes to seek scholarships, funding, and mentorship. King also used the foundation to fund research on homophobia in sports, helping to shift the conversation toward acceptance. The WSF’s annual “Women in Sports” symposium regularly features panels on LGBTQ+ inclusion, a direct result of King’s insistence that sports organizations confront discrimination head-on.

Legislative and Cultural Leadership

King was a leading voice for marriage equality. In 2008, she celebrated the legalization of same-sex marriage in California and later spoke at rallies against Proposition 8, which overturned the ruling. She served as a grand marshal for multiple Pride parades and publicly praised athlete allies like Michael Sam and Jason Collins for coming out. King also partnered with the LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Athlete Ally to promote inclusive policies in professional sports. Her work helped pave the way for the growing number of openly gay athletes in today’s sports landscape. King’s advocacy extended to transgender athletes as well; she has publicly supported the inclusion of transgender women in sports, arguing that the principles of fairness and participation should extend to all.

Broader Coalitions: Economic Justice and Disability Rights

King’s activism extended into economic and disability rights, showing her commitment to a truly intersectional approach. She understood that poverty and ableism were civil rights issues that demanded attention from the sports community.

Supporting the United Farm Workers

In the early 1970s, King publicly supported Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers (UFW) boycotts of grapes and lettuce. She spoke at rallies in California and donated proceeds from her exhibition matches to the UFW. King recognized that the labor struggle of largely Latino farmworkers was fundamentally a civil rights issue. She wore a UFW button during press conferences and used her fame to draw media attention to the workers’ plight. This alliance demonstrated King’s willingness to stand in solidarity with movements outside her immediate sphere. She also supported boycotts of non-union lettuce and grapes, and she encouraged other athletes to use their platforms to amplify the farmworkers’ voices.

Advocacy for Equal Opportunity in Education and Employment

King supported the Civil Rights Act and its enforcement, specifically regarding Title VII (employment discrimination). She publicly spoke out against workplace discrimination on the basis of race, sex, and sexuality. King also advocated for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, arguing that accessibility in sports facilities and public spaces was a basic civil right. She worked with disability rights activists to ensure that the Women’s Sports Foundation offered programs for athletes with disabilities. King often said, “Sports can be a powerful tool for breaking down all kinds of barriers.” She also participated in lobbying efforts to strengthen the ADA during its passage, recognizing that true inclusion required physical access as much as attitudinal change.

Championing Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Sports

King supported the Special Olympics and the U.S. Paralympics. She participated in events that brought together athletes with and without disabilities, such as the “Wheelchair Tennis” exhibition matches she played in the 1990s. King argued that the competitive spirit and joy of sports should be available to everyone. Her foundation funded grants for adaptive sports equipment and programs. King’s championing of disability sports was ahead of its time, long before the Paralympics received mainstream recognition. She also mentored wheelchair tennis players, including those who later competed in the Paralympic Games, and advocated for the inclusion of wheelchair tennis in the Grand Slam tournaments—which occurred in 2007 at the U.S. Open.

The Legacy of a Coalition Builder

Billie Jean King’s willingness to work across movements generated a lasting legacy that continues to inspire a new generation of athlete activists. Her ability to see the connections between different forms of oppression made her a uniquely effective advocate.

Impact on Subsequent Generations of Athlete Activists

King’s approach directly influenced modern athletes like LeBron James, Megan Rapinoe, Colin Kaepernick, and Naomi Osaka, who have used their platforms to speak out on racial justice, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health. King mentored many of these athletes privately and publicly endorsed their causes. She also founded the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative in 2014, which focuses on diversity, inclusion, and leadership development. The initiative’s mission is to “ensure that every individual has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation.” King also serves as a consultant for sports leagues looking to implement diversity and inclusion programs, sharing the lessons she learned from decades of activism.

Remembering King’s Intersectional Approach

King herself has consistently emphasized that the various civil rights movements are interconnected. In her 2021 memoir All In, she writes, “We have to stand up for each other. We are all in this together.” Her life’s work demonstrates that progress on one front—gender equality—reinforces progress on others, such as racial justice and LGBTQ+ acceptance. King’s collaborations were not mere endorsements; they were deep partnerships that required personal risk and unwavering commitment. She viewed her own liberation as tied to that of all marginalized groups. The Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative continues this work by fostering dialogue across movements and training the next generation of leaders to think intersectionally.

Conclusion: The Unified Fight for Justice

Billie Jean King’s collaboration with other civil rights movements of her time was not accidental; it was a deliberate strategy rooted in the belief that systematic oppression must be challenged at every level. From the WTA to Title IX, from the anti-apartheid movement to LGBTQ+ advocacy, from the farmworkers’ struggle to disability rights, King wove a tapestry of coalition activism that expanded the meaning of sports as a tool for social change. Her legacy teaches us that the most powerful social movements are those that recognize shared humanity and fight for everyone’s dignity. As she often said, “You have to be able to see the big picture. We’re all connected.” King’s example challenges all of us to build bridges across differences and to understand that no one is free until everyone is free.

For further reading: WTA 50th Anniversary, Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, Human Rights Campaign: Billie Jean King on LGBTQ+ Equality, and Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King: A Friendship Forged in the Fight for Equality.