Olympic skater Johnny Weir takes gay jabs in stride [video]
”It wasn’t great. It wasn’t the best I’ve ever done in my life, but I’m very happy… but I do know it wasn’t perfect…. I am getting criticized a lot for being ‘the wrong person’ to bring fans to men’s figure skating. But, in my way — as Lady Gaga would say — I have all ‘my little monsters’ out there. And they’re all supporting me at all times…. That’s something that, to me personally, means the world. Because I may not be the most-decorated skater in the world. But judging by the audience reaction at the beginning of my program, and the end, they go on my journeys with me…. Goodnight Eddie, I love you.”
US ice skater Johnny Weir speaking with Australian TV after his Short Program performance for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Unfortunately, his performance landed him in 6th Place, possibly because of one small mistake and/or for his performance being “too simple.” At the end of this interview, he twice mentions Eddie — an apparent reference to Australian broadcaster Eddie McGuire who made a couple of jokes on-air about Weir being gay. (NBC video of Weir’s Olympic performance)
”For me, I take everything as a game. I am very laid-back as far as that goes. I like to poke fun at people, there’s no harm with that, it’s all in good fun.”
Johnny Weir on his meeting with Eddie McGuire, an Australian sportscaster who made a couple of wisecracks at the expense of the world famous skater’s perceived gay orientation. Weir has not come out publicly and said that he is gay. And he has been the lightning rod for a controversy about efforts to make professional male figure skating more manly. Weir often wears colorful costumes and is called flamboyant. Other gay skaters have suffered similar comments in the past — Rudy Galindo and Matthew Hall for example. There’s an underlying financial question about whether viewers, ticket buyers, and the parents of young skaters are losing interest in the sport because it’s ”too gay.” (News.com.au)
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
