Description
Happy Pride month! To celebrate, I’m making a series of pipes inspired by icons and leaders of the LGBTQ community. Proceeds for these pipes will go to Human Rights Campaign (www.hrc.org) which works to ensure that members LGBTQ+ community have the freedom to live their truth without fear, and with equality under the law.
This pipe is inspired by Billie Jean King. Mrs. King is a masterful tennis player, holding an astounding 39 gland slam titles and also the victor of the famous/infamous Battle of the Sexes match against Bobby Riggs. She founded the Women’s Tennis Association and was instrumental in the U.S. Open’s move to award equal winnings to Men’s & Women’s tennis. (I am an avid tennis player – please forgive me gushing over Mrs. King’s tennis.)
Mrs. King has been a tireless advocate for LGBTQ+ rights for decades, founding the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative to help create a more inclusive workplace that ensures equal pay and encourages self-expression for all and was among the first athletes inducted into the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame.
As child, I watched Mrs. King play with amazing drive, grace and ferocity. She wasn’t flashy or grandstanding. She won through plain and simple hard work. As an adult, I have seen her fight just as hard for equality and fairness for the LGBTQ community.
This pipe is meant to mirror her pragmatic dedication. It’s short and practical, easy to toss in a pocket. Although, I couldn’t not use the red vulcanite to call to her awesome red framed glasses. The stem ornamentation mimics the colors of her old wood racquet. Mrs. King has been an inspiration to me for as long as I can remember, and I hope this pipe does her justice in some small way.
