An Audience with Martina Navratilova

Sunday 23 June 2013 in London

 
I don’t think this has ever happened before….two famous lesbian icons in the same room talking in a friendly, relaxed and open environment to a theatre full of mainly gay women?

Well on Sunday 23 June 2013 it did happen and I was fortunate enough to be one of those lucky gay women who a few years ago could never have imagined a scene like it.  Such was the enormity of the occasion that I really feel I experienced a landmark event in LGBT history. 

There was Martina Navratilova and Clare Balding sitting opposite each other as if they were in their front room having a good old catch up.  The range of topics scaled from Martina’s coming out experiences during the turbulent political times of the 80’s to how can Martina help someone in preparing for their first tennis match in 30 years for the Out Games. It was extraordinary!

It was also a wonderful platform to ask Martina more or less anything.  And believe me many women had waited years (in some cases almost a lifetime) to pose their question to the woman who in their eyes paved the way for women to be comfortable with their sexuality, to be bold, to be brave and not be scared of who you are. I don’t think any of us, possibly not even Martina knew the impact on her coming out would have on our lives.  For thousands of women this was a life saver, a life line. Suddenly there was someone out there speaking for us. To use an old cliché but the best one….we were not alone anymore.  And I know I was one of those women. This is one of the many reasons why Martina is the icon she is.

Martina answered all the questions honestly and with an empowering conviction that only someone who has dealt with the homophobic backlash so publicly could do. She is a formidable activist for gay rights and a woman we are proud to have as part of our community.

It wasn’t just Martina though who answered the questions. Clare Balding gave her own strong views and together they complemented the different opinions that came from either side of the pond. Every woman in the theatre acknowledges the impact and importance of Clare Balding’s coming out has had in the UK. She is truly an inspiration and a voice for all of us and this keeps coming through the more I see and talk to her.

To end my short synopsis of the afternoon Clare Balding needs to have her own chat show. She was absolutely brilliant, quick witted, charming, engaging, relaxed, attentive and most importantly down to earth. The US has Ellen, we have Clare.

Jennifer GrantDiva Destinations