Olivia, a travel agencies you to definitely focused to help you lesbians, offered her an affirmation price
“It was a difficult choice while the I have been way of living good magic in public and you will is actually a tiny frightened to improve one,” claims Jones. “I didnt must stain the picture of your own LPGA otherwise any of the relationship I experienced having sponsors, groups otherwise associates I experienced.”
Jones, a very brief hitter whoever strength into the course is preparing in advance and you can having fun with courage, was once once again thinking one step in the future.
“Ahead of I generated this new Olivia announcement, We called the LPGA, each one of my sponsors, my club affiliates in Atlanta, most of the teams that we try becoming a representative, and you may partners intimate other players, to allow them know very well what I was planning to do,” she says. “We informed them this are enough time so you can bail or get ready for all the questions they might rating.”
“I was not offered one ounce out-of negative opinions out-of those calls,” Jones says. “It absolutely was not surprising that to them in addition they did not care. I actually attained endorsements the following years. This new LPGA helped orchestrate my personal news interest. Unlike sweeping the subject underneath the carpet such as this new earlier in the day, they made the new change as easy as possible for my situation, our very own tournaments, sponsors and you may admirers.”
Things got changed from the early 2000s, yet still particular on the media worried about her individual existence. “It was tough to bare my heart into questions expected away from myself once a spherical of good golf, but in the course of time the questions got back to help you golf therefore are maybe not the major point more,” she says.
Just what Jones receive is actually the opportunity with Olivia one to, plus the service off their sponsors, friends as well as the LPGA, provided the woman a platform on which in order to in the end feel herself.
Just what she revealed is every one of these agencies just who enjoyed this lady since the one and you can respected their since the a professional did so for any reason
“I happened to be tired of perhaps not authenticating whom I happened to be as a great people,” Jones claims. “It absolutely was a different sort of time in the world of activities and you can lifetime within nation [than just whenever she very first became pro.] We believed the tour was in yet another put, sponsors was much more overall performance-inspired therefore the public are getting more used to the fresh new gay traditions. A whole lot more performers, actors, artists, political figures was basically out. It was the greatest returning to myself, the fresh LPGA and you can all of our fans.”
Upcoming, in 2004, as the the girl LPGA profession is wandering off, Jones had a business options one expected the woman going personal throughout the the girl sexuality
Appearing right back fifteen years afterwards, its hard to comprehend just what a planet-shaking moment this was for Jones and also for the LPGA, actually the turning regarding an essential corner for both.
“Brand new opinions I experienced from your admirers was significantly more rewarding that currency I obtained out-of my personal the brand new gay sponsor,” Jones says. “Some body showed up of the woodwork moving away from its means thanking myself to own developing being fearless to possess standing and representing the latest LBGT people.”
On 59, Jones was semi-retired, creating woodworking, floating around and you can managing the lady partner regarding fourteen many years, Carrie Sexton, towards the Hilton Head Island. “Our fresh addition are Berty, the newest canine lady,” Jones states, “And you can I am working hard on my games aplicaciones de citas heterosexo gratis into the U.S. Elderly Womens Discover, Older LPGA and also the Tales Journey.”
“It was most thrilling and you may cathartic personally to answer the questions you have,” she said. “I believe extremely a sense of versatility and empowerment to help you ultimately express and you can inform you exactly what it are such in my situation and many other people in those days on the journey. Thank you much to have considering myself and reminding me personally from my sound.”