Martina Navratilova

Martina Navratilova was the first "out" major sports celebrity. Navratilova earned more titles than any other person in tennis history including three Australian Open championships, two French Opens, four United States Opens and nine Wimbledon championships. She was voted the 1980's "Female Athlete of the Decade." She retired from professional singles competition in 1994.

She is known as an advocate of gay rights, the environment, animal welfare and women's issues. She spoke at the March on Washington in 1993. She filed a lawsuit against the enactment of the homophobic Amendment 2 in Colorado, which banned legal protection for lesbians and gays in housing and employment.

Martina received the 2000 National Equality Award by the Human Rights Campaign. The Rainbow Card, of which she is a co-owner, has donated over $1.5 million to gay and lesbian charities.