Broadway legend Harvey Fierstein has had enough with Johnny Weir’s incredibly public roller coaster divorce, and he’s using a few questionable words to drive the point home.
Earlier this week, the multiple Tony award-winning author of “Kinky Boots” sat down to discuss his new hit play “Casa Valentina” with HuffPo, where the conversation obviously turned instead to focus on Russia and Johnny Weir.
When asked for his thoughts on “other issues” in the news, presumably those that involve his vocal opinion on the Russian government, Fierstein responded “Anything but Johnny Weir. Leave me along with that faggot. Anything but Johnny Weir in his divorce.”
Oh, okay. I guess we’re saying “faggot” now?
How about we take this to the next level?
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Weir’s divorce and reconciliation have been tiring and irritating to say the least, but that doesn’t justify using a hateful gay slur against him. How does someone so vehemently opposed to institutionalized discrimination get away with calling someone a faggot?
Check out the audio below, and if you choose to enter this discussion, please leave your “gay men are allowed to use gay slurs” and “we need to take back the power of that word” rhetoric at home. That shit does not fly here.
Caine
Thank you crixus. With a name like QUEERTY you all should be embracing faggot. You’re a faggot, I’m a faggot we’re all faggots.
and while I am on it… bring back “You got she-mail”. Faggots.
TinoTurner
He was calling it as it is. Harvey knows that Johnny is embarassing the rest of us…like a faggot can sometimes do.
Tackle
You know how we FAGS can be…
orcanyc
I hear ya about taking back the name Faggot, to turn the power back to us, but no one should use a word meaning (Bundle of wood to burn gay people) with pride. Lets move on to better and more positive words to describe ourselves. Harvey should no better and apologize.
stanhope
@crixus: This is all true. Thanks for the post.
Desert Boy
Enough with the political correctness.
lstacyb
If African Americans can use the N word, gays can use the F word
Cam
Why would Firestein compliment Weir by calling him a Faggot?
Weir is a sell out, vapid, self hating, anti-gay, narcissist who takes all the benefits that gay activists have fought for, uses them, and then turns around and supports anti-gay bigots like Putin and attacks the same activists who got him his rights.
The last thing I would ever do is compliment WEir by insinuating he has anything to do with the gay community. He threw his support behind one of the worst enemies the gay community has in this world.
DB75
Good morning, Matthew-
I don’t see it as an issue. I think the LGBT community has crossed the line from wanting respectful treatment, to being a bit like PC language gestapos.
I recall when I was 18 and just coming out. My then mentor told me that words are just words. Gay, queer, faggot, etc…cannot hurt you if you don’t give the word any power. We, at the time, were encouraged to embrace the negative names and slurs thrown at us and twist them to be empowering words for us. That helped in the 90’s with getting more strength to stand up and fight harder for our rights.
I get it, though. Some people take issue with certain words. But really, that is that person’s own issue. They need to understand that while they take issue with that word – because they find it offensive – does not mean everyone will or must.
As far as Harvey – the man is a damned legend. None of us would be here where we are today without every effort and fight he has done. He should receive a pass for this call out of Johnny Weir.
Have a good day, Matt
DB75
@richybruce:
The name of the author of the article is always shown below the article above the hashtags.
Tackle
@lstacyb: Correction: I don’t use the
N-word, or ANY variation (a) of it. With over 45 million Blacks in the US, the variation of the N-word that you speak of, is “mainly” used by
adolescence boys, and young men: 12- 30, and mainly of a certain demographic. Hardly the majority. There are exceptions, but not the rule. Gays can use the F-word. All we want.
Phillip
@lstacyb: And as an African-American, I can presumably use both but choose not to do so. Harvey is a writer. He should have more creative ways to insult people.
Cam
@Phillip:
You can definitely tell Harvey is old, it is a bit of a problem if you think that the most insulting thing to call somebody is a gay slur.
Rick1973
I’m kind of shocked you had the balls to call out a living legend in the community. Shocked and happy because I find myself using the word as well and I think it’s time we retire it. I’m also not going to condemn one who has lived the “faggot” life who uses it. Some feel they have earned the use of the word and that’s their journey. But they should only use it in reference to themselves. It was a cheap shot from a man who wrote Torch Song Trilogy and Phillip is absolutely right, “He should have more creative ways to insult people.”
Kieran
“Leave me alone with that faggot” ?
Classic case of the pot calling the kettle a sissy. It would almost be comical if it weren’t so pathetic.
Wilberforce
My generation have used the word for years. I wouldn’t these days because the pc police are constantly on the lookout for something to be offended by. That way, they don’t have to deal with real issues, like stopping hiv, and helping queer homeless, and pushing enda.
Elloreigh
Mr. Fierstein is allowed to use whatever words he wishes, and I’m allowed to think less of him when he chooses those words unwisely.
’nuff said.
BJ McFrisky
Yippee, here come the Word Police yet again to lecture us on what is deemed evil and offensive in their progressive and oh-so-sensitive views. This on a website which proudly invokes the word “queer” in its title.
In the immortal words of Dom DeLuise in the movie ‘History of the World Part I’:
“What next, faggot?”
barkomatic
Harvey Fierstein is an activist from a different time. Younger gays always have a very difficult time relating to the culture of those that came before them.
To label Mr. Fierstein as a person with “internalized hate” in big orange letters is ridiculous when you consider that he was standing up for our survival when most Queerty writers weren’t even born yet is insane. They don’t what “hate” is. Then again, Queerty is hardly a serious news source anyway.
rextrek
when you’re called faggot all your life- YOU’re ALLOWED to TAKE the word and USE IT – You’ve Earned it!
rextrek
what BARKOMATIC said x1000!
rextrek
….Ive been around since 1960 – was 20 in 1980…..Harvey deserves OUR respect more then anything…he and those like him Paved the way for all of us!!!!!
Merv
Nobody cares because everybody, gay and straight, hates Johnny Weir.
semtex
To quote the late great Gloria Estefan “Words get in the way”!
nefter
Love Harvey, HATE that word..Can all you guys who talk about ” word police” and “pc gastapos” just please, PLEASE stop for a minute and acknowledge that for some of us that word represents the darkest loneliest times of our adolescence? I don’t want to take possession of it, or have it be acceptable to anyone. Its just a word, yes, but an evil one and I feel physically ill when I hear it, the same way I did every day, EVERY DAY of school. I really do hope and believe that in retrospect Harvey may regret saying it, nobody’s perfect.
Sauja32
“please leave your “gay men are allowed to use gay slurs” and “we need to take back the power of that word” rhetoric at home. That shit does not fly here.”
Oh really, QUEERTY???
Lots of ignorant things get posted to this site, but you’ve really outdone yourself. Harvey’s been out and proud for presumably longer than you’ve been alive. He’s been a champion of gay rights for decades, and has a long history of reclaiming words. See his lovely children’s book THE SISSY DUCKLING.
If he wants to make a joke and use the word “faggot,” that’s fine by me. And to those saying it’s a dark word and we should think about how hard it was for you to hear it–think about who the fuck you’re talking to.
So you go ahead and bitch about Harvey’s use of this word, Matthew. And then go right back to some hard-hitting journalism that advances the cause. Maybe another “Guys Getting Naked at National Monuments.” Or maybe another article about Tom Daley.
skcord
Is Gloria Estefan dead?!?!?!?!?
Matthew Tharrett
@Sauja32: Thank you for the suggestion! As per your request, I’ve gone ahead and published another Tom Daley article: http://www.queerty.com/check-out-tom-daleys-bulge-as-he-gets-a-full-body-rubdown-20140516
Thanks for being such a big fan! Always a pleasure to connect with readers and deliver the kind of posts you love.
tazz602
The issue is that when one gay uses that word to describe another gay in a disparaging way, that appears to give license to non-gay people to do the same. The same way some people believe they can use the N-word because they hear African Americans use it to describe some of their own.
I’m with Queerty on this one, yes I was called a faggot and was a target of “smear the queer” in school – but I don’t want to be called those words by my own especially used like Harvey did. He did it to disparage Weir, not empower him, and that is exactly the opposite of what we want to do.
Cam
@BJ McFrisky:
And here BJ is again, attacking gays and defending a straight man “Dom DeLuise” calling people “Faggots”.
BJ, please point to any time every on this board that you have taken gays side against any anti-gay activity. Just wondering you know.
DB75
@skcord:
No. She’s still with us.
TVC 15
I’m 40, and I’ve never been called a “faggot” to my knowledge. However, if I was acting like an ass the way Weir has been, I’d deserve being called that especially by someone like Harvey whom I love and respect. It’d be a wake up call to realize, “Yeah, I have been acting like an ass, and not representing my community in a positive way.” So yeah, Harvey does get a free pass.
Cam
@TVC 15:
But why should it be a word that at it’s base means “Gay” that should be the insult?
Can’t you just call him an Asshole? Or a Douchebag? I think Firestein is great, and the fact that he has been out for years….HUGE respect.
I just frankly don’t think Johnny Weir is deserving of any word that is associated with the gay community since he basically threw his support over to people that hate gays. Calling him a faggot is too good for him and is basically a compliment. 😉
Lvng1tor
Madonna got a free pass for using “gay” as an insult 2x (well a ton more than that but what evs…) So using my H0M0-Mathian skillz (with a Z cauze thatz how I roll)Harvey may in fact use “Faggot” all he wants.
Will I use it? NO. That’s my choice. I think we in the “Gay Community” do enough to bring ourselves down. But, do I have the right to tell another person they must follow Lvng1Tor’s Rules of Order? Nope
If it was a str8 using the word I’d be all up their A$$ and not in a good way. Double Standard…Absolutely…SO WHAT!
Dawson
Cam you said it perfectly.
In reading the paper today Putin now is using the new term “gay nazi’s” to address the EVIL’S of the world. Remember Johnny Boy knew he was no longer the darling in the U.S. figure Skating world when Evan was the new face of U.S. men’s skating. The U.S. figure skating community has always had issues with overly gay skaters although the organization is often run by them (see–kettle black). So when Evan became the new face of skating Johnny Boy went running to Russia and Russia ate this up as an American who talk smack about the good old U.S.A.Johnny also knew that by doing so this could mean better scores from the pro-russian countries. Figure Skating is a political sport. That is why the judges marks are so secretive or corrupt. And Johnny isn’t bright enough to see the big picture. Because Johnny is about all things Johnny. A spoiled skater you will NEVER EVER FIND. Too bad he happens to be gay as for many people in middle America or who have no contact with GLBT people outside of T.V. this is often what people associate with being gay.
hotboyvb81
was editor being sarcastic- or does he not get sarcasm….hard to decide. (reply to Sauja…)
Mezaien
You are funny babe. Harvey, it`s take a fag to know a fag! VIVA Lasfagas.
jwrappaport
@Sauja32: Amen.
mikestrawn
First, considering that Harvey Fierstein is King Queen, I think he has every right to use the term “faggot”–and we all know what he meant in regard to Johnny Weir when he said that–even those of you on here who are so young you needed to learn how to be gay in a Queer Studies class.
Second, it reminds me of those Log Cabin creeps who are in an uproar because John Aravosis referred to the disgusting Carl DeMaio–a reflugent gay Repugnican running for mayor of San Diego–as “Mary”. Again we all know what Aravosis meant.
So I think this is not only about taking control of these words, but also of policing those in our community who are out of line with the rest of us–like Weir and DeMaio–and who thus hurt our cause.
semtex
@skcord: She ain’t dead or great…
sportyguy1983
Here is the rule everyone needs to know: if you are an “icon” or “leader” in a minority “community” you are allowed to use hateful words like f@ggot, n1gger, sp1c, k1ke, sand n1gger, etc… It is especially okay to use these words against people in your minority “community” that are disliked by the “community” in general. You are also allowed to use hateful terms against white people because they are by their nature hateful people.
If you are white (especially of you are a male) you are never allowed to use these words. The only exception of course is if you are a liberal white person in which case people will makes excuses for your use of these words.
It is an easy rule to remember especially when you realize you must be a hypocrite to justify anyone using a word deemed to demean people.
mikestrawn
@sportyguy1983:
Why the white guy rage? I thought you were one of us–the stigmatized queers who look at queerty. White or not, we are not the masters of this world, because we not only don’t have equality with the white heterosexaul men you are channeling in that comment, we don’t even have basic civil rights.
decampbell
“Oh, okay. I guess we’re saying “faggot” now?”
I never stopped saying it. Get off your soapbox – we’re all tired of this PC bullshit.
Cam
@sportyguy1983:
Oh worry, I didn’t get the memo that you were going to rant around and play the victim on here.
You sound the same as Sarah Palin crying that anybody who disagreed with her hated women, unless it was Catie Courick, and then she simply cried that she was ATTACKED because Katie asked her the horrifying question of “Where do you get your news”
Seriously, do you know how weird you sound going on a rant because you can’t use The N word?
GlitterKidder
Love you more than my luggage Harvey! Every time I see J.W. I scream the “f” word. He sets us back 25 years, and 25 years ago I was 25. I would prefer not to have to re-live those days. Call me a bitter old queer, I’ve heard much worse in my 50 years as a gay human. But you youngsters have no idea what it took to get to where we are today!
Pull your panties out of your up tight asses, Harvey was just speaking his mind. I’m with you Harvey!
Kangol
Faygele, Harvey, faygele, and yes Johnny’s faygele BS is annoying.
sportyguy1983
I am getting a good laugh that people think I am white and that people think I am supposedly upset because I can’t use hateful words. Obviously people are too dumb to realize I am pointing out with sarcasm that NO ONE should use those words in hate, regardless of your membership in any minority “community”. The word is either hateful or not. It does not matter who says it.
xzall
Today there was a story about a NH police commissioner who called President Obama the N word and refused to apologize for it. I saw many comments supporting this by saying if black people can use the word then anyone can too.
So while everyone with any sense knows there’s a difference between using a slur to disparage and a member of the community reclaiming that word, using the slur just ends up giving ammunition to bigots out there. And while that’s a trivial issue now for people as secure and famous as Harvey Fierstein, it’s a bigger issue for that young gay kid out there with little support. Why use a word that’s been used by bullies to intimidate.
Everyone gets what Fierstein meant about Johnny Weir but there has to any number of words that a smart guy like him could come up with. I think he should apologize for using the slur but he probably won’t so why belabor the point.
Allen D.
It’s a lot nicer than any adjectives I’d use to describe those bitches.
Discodaddybob
What if Fierstein had called him a “Queen,” would there have been an outburst of criticism? I doubt it. That’s the word I would have used to describe Weir who, frankly speaking, irritates the shit out of me.
He is a self-centered, egotistical jerk who has somehow managed to claw his way into celebritydom after failing to make a major mark in figure skating beyond skating in the Ice Capades. He certainly lacks the gravitas to be a role model for young gays. What an asshole he is.
seaguy
@Lvng1tor: madonna is a friend of the community that is well known and proven!
Alton
If you’ve already decided what we can and cannot say, why pretend that “discussion” is an option?
Alton
@GlitterKidder: I couldn’t care less what Harvey Fierstein calls Johnny Weir, but I get annoyed whenever I hear gay people talk about someone “setting us back”. Where are we trying to get to, if people can’t be free to be themselves? There are all kinds of gay people with all different levels of flamboyance. I’m not a fan of Weir by any means, but I reject the notion that he is somehow damaging us simply by being himself. Like all cultures, gay culture is a mix of the good, the bad, and the ugly…and our acceptance by society shouldn’t be based on the actions of one gay man, nor should we accept any such judgment.
lykeitiz
@Sauja32: I too was taken aback by the line from the article you pasted. Where does Queerty get off acting superior to Harvey Fierstein AND their own readers? Then the response you got just proved what thumb-suckers “wrote” this piece.
samoanjoe
@Matthew Tharrett: Ugh. @Sauja32 makes a valid comment and you respond like this? So inane.
David
@Wilberforce: My sentiments exactly. Anyone with an issue can draw a line in the sand and say “I now own this word and will determine how offensive it is or it isn’t” and find someone to project their misplaced anger upon.
I am a faggot. Remember when “queer” was bad and now it’s good?
Puleeze.
toberlin
David:
I used the word “queer” in a post and still feel pissed with myself because of it .Not/Non Straight would have been the right word to me.I am a straight german woman.And I just can speak for myself.So in German I try to avoid any kind of (political) “loaded” words.Even without I am pretty good in being pretty hefty :).But I do listen if people call me out.I do not always agree but I do listen (mostly :).And in daily life here I call people out if they use ” loaded” words as an clear Offense/to put people down.Here on this site I would have a lot to do if I would always do it.But English is not my mother tongue and the USA not my country .So the GO/NO GO! might be different anyway.For example: “Gay Nazi” is a total NO GO! to me here…
Mark Jenkins
I personally detest THAT word- just like I do the N word or any other ethnic slur- that doesn’t mean, though that it occasionally doesn’t slip out. But hopefully not in public and certainly not personally toward any individual.For some reason queens (can I use that term without offense?) seem to use it more often than the rest of us-at least it seems that way to me. I think it demeans us as a race just as the use of the N word demeans the African Americans who use it the thereby their race as a whole (since the younger folks whom I’ve heard use the term most, are the most vocal and visible). Aren’t WE trying to overcome that stigma and gain respect from society as a whole? Or do we use that word to show that it can’t hurt us anymore? Does anyone know the answer to that one? I know as a young kid still in the closet,(even to myself)- and I had that term applied to me time without number. It was the greatest humiliation I suffered back then- I suppose I’m lucky that nothing worse happened. But I still hate the term, whether applied to me or someone else.
Mark Jenkins
@rextrek: Kudos to Barkomatic and rextrek- they’ve nailed it in a nutshell! Harvey is from a different generation (mine) and has been a pioneer in gay rights since before most of the writers (and readers) of today were born. I still hate the word, though and will never resort to using it.
samoanjoe
@Matthew Tharrett: I bet if you were on a panel with other gay men about this subject and some of them disagreed with you, you’d go all Amy Kushnir and head to Midland.
michael mellor
Is that Bea Arthur?
Lvng1tor
@seaguy: And I said anything other than that?
briguy
To me the label Queer is far more offensive than faggot , and who decides what is offensive anyway ? Some gay guys are faggots and we all know it ! Please enough Johnny Weir , he was a second rate skater at best and annoying as well . Harvey is a true icon for our community ! Go Harvey !!!
toberlin
briguy:
You decide.I think it is important to tell people if a label or a word feels offensive to you.And if the people are no idiots they will listen…
cmhguy60
Are we really debating the use of the work faggot. Who the hell cares what term was used to describe a bottom of the barrel 2nd rate flamer of a skater. Oh wait – is that a word police word too?? Get over it folks, different generations use different terms. I’m old school and use the same word. Frankly QUEER is much more offensive than faggot and yes i was called BOTH in my youth. The problem today is everyone “thinks” everything is offensive – get over it and move on – if you were there in the 70’s and 80’s you would understand the context of how offensive some words your elders use vs what are used today.
toberlin
cmhguy 60:
As far as I understand this is a general discussion about use/abuse labels/words.And nobody thinks here everthing is offensive (for sure not me).Don’t you think it is a good thing that everything is not like ages ago?
briguy
Every community uses labels , the gay community is no different . I would much rather be called a faggot than a queer or referred to as she or her which is everyday speak in the gay world . Ages ago were so much better by the way , the gay life has become stagnant and just an extension of the straight world . Ages ago we were the innovators and creators now we are the followers with no new gay heroes to look up to . Thankfully we still have a few left like Harvey
and Larry Kramer !
toberlin
briguy:
:)the friends I have who are gay/lesbian are lame like me but they are not the extension to my straight world.We are all no Superheros but we don’t label each other.We have Names and Jobs.Thats it.Boring but Happy.