For several weeks, Australia's early tennis champion, Margaret Court has been issuing homophobic statements against upcoming legislation for marriage equality in the Land Down Under.  Here are some of her quotes and responses by tennis icons Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova, according to the DemocraticUnderground: 

Her rant:
Among the controversial statements made by Court, now a pastor in Perth's Victory Life Church:

* "" are not perfect, often dysfunctional and despite the fact the role models may be distorted and even severely flawed, there is no reason to put forward alternative, unhealthy, unnatural unions as some form of substitute."

* "To dismantle this sole definition of marriage and try to legitimize what God calls abominable sexual practices that include sodomy, reveals our ignorance as to the ills that come when society is forced to accept law that violates their very own God-given nature of what is right and what is wrong."

* "The fact that the homosexual cry is, 'We can't help it as we were born this way', as the cause behind their own personal choice is cause for concern. Every action begins with a thought. There is a choice to be made."

Her remarks drew fire not just from readers, who took to Court's Twitter account to lambaste her, but from her former colleagues who beg to differ.

"I respectfully disagree with Margaret's position on gay marriage," Billie Jean King shares with the Sweet Spot. Out since 1981, King has long been a champion for human rights, gay rights among them. "We have to commit to eliminating homophobia because everyone is entitled to the same rights, opportunities and protection."

Martina Navratilova, another vocal advocate for gay rights since she came out in 1981, is also not having it. "Seems to me a lot of people have evolved as has the Bible, slavery. Unfortunately, Margaret Court has not. Her myopic view is truly frightening as well as damaging to the thousands of children already living in same gender families."


MARGARET Court says she felt victimised and became the target of a relentless hate campaign for airing her views on gay marriage.

The former champion has admitted being stunned by the backlash after her controversial comments made headlines around the world.

The pastor, 70, who arrived in Melbourne last night, said it was never intended as an attack on the gay and lesbian community but rather a plea for the nation to retain its morals.

Momentum is building ahead of a protest by equal rights campaigners at the show court that bears her name.

Organisers hope to send a message of unity by wearing rainbow colours and waving flags on Friday.

Mrs Court said she would not back down from her views and had no concerns about attending the Open this week.

"To target me and the tennis is a political stunt," Court said.

"I love them, I even work with them ... but what concerns me so much is the amount of hatred that has been directed at me.

"There have been some awful things ... But I love my nation and I don't like seeing it in moral decline. I pray for it, I love it and I want to protect the young of the future. My heart is for the next generation."

Gays and lesbians could lead their life without touching marriage as ordained by God, she said.

But another tennis great, Martina Navratilova, repeated her disappointment yesterday, saying Mrs Court's views were outdated.

"It's not about any one person," Navratilova said.

"It's not about religious rights, it's about human rights. She's only seeing it from one viewpoint."

It is believed Mrs Court will not attend the tennis in an official capacity but will view plans for the redevelopment of the arena named in her honour.

Her huge collection of trophies will be moved from Western Australia and put on public display in the new centre.

Tennis Australia has said it did not support Mrs Court's views.

"Margaret has expressed a personal view," tournament director Craig Tiley said last week .

"(We) do not share that view and believe everyone should be treated equally and fairly."

Mrs Court said yesterday: "What I have said is what God has said in the Scriptures ... we are a Christian nation and we should be able to say that."