From athletes (Dutch snowboarder Cheryl Maas wore rainbow gloves at the Ladies’ Slopestyle event last week) to corporations (Google published a rainbow doodle to mark the beginning of the Olympics), there have been countless protests against the Putin’s AntiGay legislation.
There’s one group of athletes, however, that haven’t done much in the way of protesting because they don’t have to: Male figure skaters.
Since figure skating is arguably the gayest sport (and certainly the most graceful) out there, the fact that these men simply exist is a protest in and of itself. They say gay athletes are not visible in Sochi. For the most part this may be true, until you look in the skating rink.
Scroll down to see photos of some of the gayest moments and costumes in male figure skating.
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Gold Medalist Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan dazzles the crowd in this beaded, white lace top paired with black leather evening gloves. (The costume was designed by none other than Johnny Weir, otherwise known as the Gayest Man on Earth.)
Grandmother’s coral blue chiffon blouse never looked as good as it does on Peter Liebers of Germany.
Alexei Bychenko of Ukraine proves that there’s nothing gayer sexier than a figure skating sailor.
OMG! Is that Cher?! …Nope. It’s just Brian Joubert of France.
U.S.A.’s Jason Brown looks like a cross between a matador and Shoshanna from HBO’s Girls. (We mean that as a compliment, of course!)
Italian-Canadian figure skater Paul Bonifacio Parkinson strikes a pose in this fitted green top with black lace lapel.
Bronze medalist Denis Ten of Kazakhstan channels his inner Catwoman in this skintight, black body suit with sparkles.
Liam Firus of Canada cuts a tight figure in this form-fitting, bedazzled one-piece.
OMG! Cher! …Oh, wait. No. That’s just Brian Joubert of France again.
Abzal Rakimgaliev of Kazakhstan keeps it fun with a Pepto-Bismol pink button down and harness suspenders.
Evgeni Plushenko of Russia may have had to withdraw from this year’s games, but he made sure to blow air kisses on his way off the ice.
Last but hardly least is the greatest ice diva of all time, our beloved Johnny Weir, in bright pink calling the whole carnival from his perch as NBC commentator. (That’s Johnny on the right, in case you were born yesterday.)
Cam
Just a few comments.
1. How can Johnny Weir be the “Gayest Man on Earth” when after FINALLY emerging from the closet he attacks gays and takes the side of Russia defending them in spite of their rampant anti-gay laws and attacks.
2. Not saying one thing and simply wearing the same flouncy outfits they’ve always worn is not protesting Russia’s laws anymore than a somewhat feminine hairdresser doing the hair of conservative women in Oklahoma is in any way protesting.
What the author seems to have done is claiming that the definition of gay is being flamboyant, and then pretending that wearing the same outfits they have always worn is somehow a protest. Did this posting come from Weir’s publicist or something?
DeanWR
when did Katy Perry start commentating figure skating??
KittyLitter
@Cam:
Hence the DIE WIER! DIE!!
MikeE
I was wondering who that woman in the pink channel jacket was…
litper
So many closeted gay men it’s not even funny.
Brian Joubert was practically outed by his ex-gf, but he steal keeps that straight fascade
litper
*still
Niall
Male figure skaters seem like the most insecure athletes though as they’re always trying to shed the image that most male figure skaters are gay, which leads to them being more sensitive.
DShucking
Johnny Weir broadcasting from Russia dressed like that is the gayest statement in response to Russia’s homophobia that has been made so far.
tjr101
I would be more interested in what their thoughts are on gay rights than what they wear on the ice. Call me cynical but I don’t doubt many of these “gay looking” figure skaters are virulent homophobes especially Evgeni Plushenko.
Cam
@DShucking: said…
“Johnny Weir broadcasting from Russia dressed like that is the gayest statement in response to Russia’s homophobia that has been made so far.”
______________________________________________
No, actually he is making the exact opposite statement. He is their little trained clown, a living breathing gay step and fetchit defending the gay hating Russian govt. and attacking gays, name calling them etc…
A woman cleaning the house of a Saudi govt. official is not making a statement for women’s rights.
Cam
@DShucking:
You’re trying to change the subject. First you say that him merely being dressed as he is and broadcasting is statement in response to Russian Homophobia.
I merely pointed out that not only has he come out in support of Russia, but has attacked gays protesting Russia’s laws. My sympathy or his treatment if arrested has nothing to do with your comment or my response.
The fact is, his defending them and walking on the Russian leash like a trained pet does the opposite of making a statement against Russia’s policy. Your trying to alter the topic does not change that.
Doughosier
I love Jason Browne. That’s all.
mgmchicago
@DShucking:
It may seem that way to U.S. viewers watching U.S. television, however most other countries have their own Sochi studios and broadcasters speaking their own native languages. The average Russian (Japanese, Norwegian, etc.) probably sees about as much of NBC/Weir’s on-screen time as we see of their national television coverage. (That would be none.) Weir is making a bit of an openly gay (fashion) statement to US audiences (which is something, I guess) but has little international impact.
karl61058
Hi, just wanted to point out some irony that no one seems to bring up concerning Russia, music, skating and the opening ceremony.
Does President Putin realize that Tchaikovsky who was the biggest composer in Russian history, was just as big a homosexual?
That may have been an incomplete thought, but most people can fill in the glaringly obvious irony-perhaps?
KittyLitter
@DShucking: that douche has never worn normal people clothing.
He always has to “stand out” like the attention seeking whore that he is.
MK Ultra
@tjr101: I agree about Plushenko. Brilliant on ice, but kind of a Russian hick off the ice.
Stefano
@mgmchicago : good point.
DShucking
@mgmchicago: Thanks!
Cam
@DShucking: said…. “@Cam: We’ve been down this road before. Your hate for Johnny Weir makes it impossible to have a rational conversation with you about him. Toodles.
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No, actually what happened was, I stated quite clearly that your contention that Weir being there was somehow a blow for gay rights was wrong. You could not argue my point so instead, rather than trying to come up with any reason to defend it, you merely state that I hate Weir therefore any discussion on this couldn’t be had.
If you cannot defend your point, at least either admit it or don’t respond, but don’t get defensive and try to twist the discussion around. Again, please explain exactly how Weir defending Russia, attacking and name calling gays, and being there is somehow a blow for gay rights are you first stated. If you can’t defend that, then don’t bother trying once again to deflect.
Cam
@mgmchicago:
True, great point, and I also don’t think that simply being flamboyant is a blow for gay rights.
DShucking
@Cam: Remember it the way you want. It’s your hatred for him, and general seething anger, that makes it difficult to have a conversation with you. Have a pleasant day.
Alan down in Florida
Did I miss something – do we know for a fact that any of these men other than Johnny Weir is in fact gay or are we just buying into popular myth?
tohe
“gayest”!? More like flamboyant, extravagant and some even feminine, but I don’t get the lazy characterization of describing something as gay.
jmmartin
You write: “Alexei Bychenko of Ukraine proves that there’s nothing gayer sexier than a figure skating sailor.” I’d heard Putin was fond of seafood.
BrokebackBob
Johnny is much more than 15 minutes ago, I’d say at least 3 years ago.
It takes a real gay man to wear glamorous, yet fashionable, male-build enhancing skating togs and no come off as something that should be on top of a 5 year old girl’s birthday cake. So far I haven’t seen anything that comes close except Charlie White and he’s not gay or at least not that I’ve heard.
Cam
@DShucking: said….. “@Cam: Remember it the way you want. It’s your hatred for him, and general seething anger, that makes it difficult to have a conversation with you. Have a pleasant day.
__________________
I have now asked you multiple times how Johnny Weir defending Russia, attacking gays, name-calling gays and doing Russia’s bidding is somehow striking a blow for gay rights.
You have been unable to defend your point at all and keep claiming that apparently if somebody disagrees with you that they are seething with hatred for the subject of the conversation.
I have explained quite clearly my reasoning on why Weir’s actions are bad for gay rights, and you have been completely unable to explain your reasoning for your statement that his behavior is good for gay rights in Russia, instead trying to attack somebody who disagrees, deflect from the topic at hand, and avoid outlining your reasoning.
Again, if you can’t even defend your reasoning, at least have the grace to not post, or respond and admit it. Trying to avoid exposing your inability to defend your statement by crying about somebody disagreeing with you is frankly just sad.
Now again, for the 4th time. Do you have anything to back up your statement, or will you continue to avoid answering by crying that I’m a big hate filled meanie for disagreeing with you?
TheMarc
Okay Queerty, make up your mind. One day you’re losing your minds over comedians making fun of gay stereotypes and the next you’re reinforcing one yourselves.
Saying that because male figure skaters “dress gay” is somehow a profound statement for gay rights is as preposterous as it is offensive. And Benedict Johnny Chamberlain is certainly no poster child for standing up for oppressed Russian gays. So including him in this article is just the icing on the cake of yet another slap shod Queerty article that should have never made it to post.
dougmc92
did everyone hear American skater, Jeremy Abbott lose his shit over people saying he chokes???? Well- Jer- since you’ve fallen in every Olympics and World Champioships you have EVER competed in- sounds like choking to me. He’s the guy who refused to protest anti gay laws in Russia saying it would be like going into someone’s house and telling them their curtains were ugly. What a tool!!!
Respect4all
The homophobic stereotyping and anti-gay insults in this article and comments are almost as bad as what is coming from the Russian government.
Respect4all
@MikeE: Do you mean “Chanel”?
Alexspade93
Are you check the data before writing articles? Alexei Bychenko two years ago started to skate for Israel, not for Ukraine.
Cam
@Respect4all:
False equivalencies like yours are incredibly dangerous. You can make your point without a completely incorrect comparison. Is it offensive and anti-gay for the article to basically say that wearing a flouncy outfit is somehow supporting gay rights? Yes. Is it alsmost as bad as supporting roving gangs of homophobic thugs kidnapping and torturing their gay victims? No, and comparing the too is minimizing what those poor victims in Russia are going through.
J. B.
Evgeni Plushenko is married to a woman. Shocking I know. But unless you’ve seen thier Homo I.D. card you probably shouldn’t assume or imply anything about male figure skaters. Plus, those costumes are more or less a reflection of the sport not the individual.
mjcc1987
The outfits, gay or not, are “uniforms” for the sport. No matter how the “uniforms” seem, they are taken off after the competition and hidden. None of these fine athletes or the money grubbing, “I’ll turn in my mother for a dollar” Johnny “Look at me” Weir will do anything outside the venue. They can, but will do nothing to jeopardize their endorsements or paychecks.
iMort
Johnny Wier is the type of queer who makes some respectable gays feel so uncomfortable, and cause plenty of homophobes to clutch their pearls and cry “that’s the kind of gay that I don’t like!” I can’t imagine that he could ever have been in the closet, even if he wanted to be. So, as the article suggests, his very existence is a huge FU in the face of Russia and these new laws. Go Johnny, go…he makes me smile!
BGinBigD
Johnnie (sic) Weir is a WOMAN!!!
Can’t stand her!!!!!
Cam
@BGinBigD:
There you go insulting women. Weir is a self hating sell out, but his self hatred goes so far that he not only seems to hate the gay part of himself, he hates his country and other gays as well. He would have ALWAYS been loyal to some other place because of his self hatred. Russia was just the first “Other Place” he saw so he locked onto it like a baby turtle imprinting on the beach they were born on.
Respect4all
@Cam: If you read what I wrote, I referred to stereotypes and insults, not attacks. Yes, clearly physical attacks are worse than mere words. But I maintain that some of the ideas expressed on Queerty, by writers and commenters alike, are extremely homophobic, offensive and harmful to the LGBT community. I won’t even go into the misogyny.
Louis
This is a slap in the face too what these LGBT people are going through in Russia right now.
Not one of these skaters is gay friendly nor have they ever said anything remotely gay positive either.
Enough is enough stop wasting time focusing on those who could care less about our rights as Americans concentrate on the ones who sincerely and genuinely support and care about us as human beings.
Ugh .