Remember Alain Goldberg (left) and Claude Mailhot, the douchebag radio broadcasters from Quebec who decided appropriate Olympic figure skating commentary would include calls for Johnny Weir to get gender tested? Nearly a year later, the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council has issued a “reprimand” against the two RDS radio jockeys, who spent their television broadcast deriding Weir for reinforcing the stereotype that men’s figure skating is for nelly fags.
Though the twosome apologized on air — two days later — some 119 people complained to the standards council about their remarks. (The Canadian Press notes “only the Quebec Council of Gays and Lesbians and one other individual viewer requested further investigation.”) And so what is their punishment? Being told they made “scornful, derisive and denigrating,” which we already knew.
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At the time, Weir took the high road, saying, “These two men … [were] criticizing me as a person, and that was something that really, frankly, pissed me off. So more than anything I had to make a comment and a statement to say I hope more kids can grow up the same way that I did, and more kids feel the freedom that I feel to be themselves, to express themselves. That’s the message that I wanted to come out of all this.” Watch his remarks:
Joe
Johny is a train wreck and he begs for any kind of press attention. If Queerty wants to use him as the poster-child for the LBGT movement, then don’t be surprised if we don’t get anywhere.
He is a fame whore, who hasn’t done a damn thing for the gay community.
alan brickman
Nicest thing I can say about Johnny is he is unbearable!
ait10101
He’s a performer, what do you expect? Too bad you can’t allow someone to be an exuberant version of themselves in public. I think you have issues that you really should try to deal with.
AdonisOfFire
I love Johnny Weir, he is honest and he is fabulous. All you hater bitches can fuck off.
Daez
@ait10101: So, he gets a pass because he is a performer? What about all the other performers out there that are not raging asshats just because they can “perform.”
Is NPH an asshole? Is Cyndi Lauper a bitch?
Kel
He is a mess and doesn’t represent me in the least. He sets us back in fact. Sadly, I don’t think it was a bad suggestion…
Daez
I am honestly of the impression that being a feminine gay is one thing, but when you are completely unbearably fey I think you have to actually work at it. I mean, I can totally do it when I chose to, and I think these people just chose to do it for attention.
scribe
Do I want to date the total “Fey” dude, nope… But does he have a right to be himself…YESSSSSSS! What is the difference from what these dudes did to him, than what str8 men have done to all of us in highschool? IT was Wrong then, and it was Wrong what they said bout him. It is also wrong when queers beat up on other queers just because they aren’t as rich and Famous. If gay men spent more time working on themselves over talking about weir, or lance the world would be a better place.
Sexy Rexy
He totally has the right to be himself, but that doesn’t mean that people have to like him for it. Sorry, but he’s very obnoxious and not a role model.
scribe
@ait10101: i agree. Some gays hate femme gays because they feel it brings un-wanted attention to all of us. There are lots of different types of gays. Some of us work in construction (like myself), join the army, some work in offices, and yes some of us put on lace, a little make-up and glide on ice in perfect circles. We should all be on the same side. Except mccain loving gays like Daez…lol
iluzionist54
Better flaming queen than bitter hateful unfulfilled ones that leave only scorching slime after themselves …
The boy had right, “to say I hope more kids can grow up the same way that I did, and more kids feel the freedom that I feel to be themselves, to express themselves”
Sexy Rexy
I could care less about his mannerisms or how he dresses; it’s his obnoxiousness and famewhoreitis that bugs me. I’ll take ten RuPauls over one Weir any day…
lizcivious
If any of you saw Johnny’s little docu-series on the Sundance Channel, “Be Good Johnny Weir,” you might have a different opinion of him. He is a dedicated worker on the ice and appears to be a fun, loving individual off it. Olympic-level athletes do not earn wages for their sport; they are dependent on endorsements and public appearances. Johnny, at the time of the series, was putting a brother through school. His father has some sort of disability, and possibly Johnny has been helping out there as well. He’s very close to other family members and I found that very endearing. Ice skating, unlike hockey or the luge, is also a performing art, so why chide Johnny Weir for promoting himself the same way actors, singers, dancers and other artists do? To me, a fame whore is someone like Kim Kardashian or Bethany Frankel, who have no talent or purpose other than cashing in on the current fad of so-called “reality” TV. Johnny Weir is exceptionally talented at what he does, and he has a bright, clever personality that’s naturally going to attract attention, as opposed to his “nemesis,” Evan Lysacek, who is a pwerful skater, but pretty low-key, personality-wise. My only qualm with Johnny is his love of real fur, but as long as he’s not out shooting and skinning the animals himself, I’m not going to hate him for it. Besides, many of his fur items are vintage, which means the animals would be long dead even if they had never been used for fur. I wear shoes made out of leather so that would make me a hypocrite. Anyway, don’t be so hard on Johnny Weir!
Jonathonz
@Joe: Sorry Joe, I have no idea what you’re talking about when you say that he’s a mess. More power to him I say. I think it’s great that someone can be such a success in their field and be gay and be flamboyant at the same time. Being gay is one thing, being flamboyant makes the haters hate ten times worse.
bobito
He’s a damn good skater, so if he’s a “famewhore” at least he has some substance to offer people who pay attention to him (at least when he’s skating). And let’s be honest guys – if he tried to butch up his act, nobody would buy it anyway, and those of you who can’t stand him now for being a big ole nelly would be calling him a self-loathing closet case.
PatrickB
@Daez: How is Weir is asshole? Does not conforming to gender roles make someone an asshole?
Having sex with someone of the same sex doesn’t conform to gender norms, either. So ease up on the self-hate, plz.
Suzygoo
Fem in the Streets, Butch in the Sheets-You Go Gurl!!!!!!!
Gail
Sad to see the reaction from some people to Weir. These comments were made about a costume (and there are plenty of ‘straight’ skaters who have more outrageous costumes than he does), not his every day walking down the street clothes. Weir is intelligent, talented, charitable, caring, an athlete (try doing a skater’s routine for one week and trust me you’ll appreciate FS a whole lot more), hard working and doing a good job just being himself. IT’s too bad that people, even if they don’t care for his skating or whatever, can’t see and appreciate that. He’s not asking people to like him or to love him, just to let him be himself.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
I had a bit of a problem fully supporting Johnhy qWeir untill he finaly kinda sorta came out and stopped the charade that he isn’t Gay………
But I always gave him credit for not folding like a cheap camera in order to try and gain more endorsements to appear as someone he is not (Yes Lyinsackofshit, I am talking about you)…….When qWeir was the US Figure skating champion the ASSociation refused to post his photo on the website or on publicity materials because he “didn’t present a proper image” (ie: he was too Gay) of a male figure skater. Many (including me) feel that qWeir was denied a medal at the recent olympics due to anti-Gay bias. To those who accuse him of being a “fame whore”, had he toned down his act he could have had many commercial endorsements, and opportunities like the Schmuckers (not a mis-spell)skating tour…….
He has refused to change who he is to conform to what others expect of him………And he actually is a role model to the non-masculine little boys who rarely see anyone like them actually gain a measure of success……..
If you ever watched an interview with qWeir he is witty, entertaining, and dishes out a great verbal bitch slap to those who toss hate on him…..He shouldn’t be getting more hate from a Gay site……….
nudegayguy
i like it that he speaks his mind and does so in a mature fashion without back-biting. besides, i think he’s cute and would love to snog him, perhaps spend the rest of my life with him.
merkin
Only in Canada could two guys named Alain and Claude act like thickheaded shock jocks. Im not really sure what the writer wants to happen to them? Get fired because they made fun of a celebrity? What if they said Lindsey was a druggie or Tom Cruise was a nutball? Weir is a public persona and their comment, while stupid, shouldnt even be newsworthy. Lets stop projecting this idea that LGBT people are made of china and will shatter at the smallest dig.
BZE
“It is also wrong when queers beat up on other queers just because they aren’t as rich and Famous. If gay men spent more time working on themselves over talking about weir, or lance the world would be a better place.”
@scribe: Point for you.
I came to the conclusion that the gay community has a major stick up their ass. How can they expect to be accepted by straight people if they carry the same prejudices towards their own people. If you want to be accepted the way you are then act this way also. It doesn´t surprise me the slightest that Mr. Weir doesn´t want to be a representative of any community. Fortunately, magazines like OUT100 are able to see what Mr. Weir brings to the table and are not afraid to say so.
ILoveDudes
Anybody who throws his use of fur coats in the faces of those who are disturbed and disgusted at the idea, like Weir does, should have his butt kicked. Believe me, I’m no PETA nut, but Weir knows the way animals are killed for fur (including through anal electrocution) and wears them anyway. He’s what’s sick about most gay men. A bully enjoying the feel of residual pain.
SteveC
“Weir knows the way animals are killed for fur (including through anal electrocution) and wears them anyway. He’s what’s sick about most gay men. A bully enjoying the feel of residual pain.”
So you’re saying that women are sick bullies (seeing as far more women wear fur coats than men – gay or straight?)
alan brickman
Johnny only cares about himself and plays gay card til it’s frayed…
scott ny'er
If you have nothing nice to day, don’t say it.
Y’all might not like Weir for whatever reasons, like these radio hosts, it’s fine. Everyone has a right to their opinion. But when you go off on him like these radio hosts, that’s a different story. Do I go on about how these two pale faces, with their obese nature are a horror to me eyes and need to not be so slovenly fat and take up all the oxygen around me, much less do something about their appearance because I don’t want to see their ugly mugs? Nope. And thus they should not do that to Weir.
And really, it’d be a better place if everyone just accepted others and be polite and not say mean shite.
Puri
Just like everybody else, Johnny Weir has the right to dress as he pleases without fear of derision by public commentators who are hired to comment on the skating. His clothing while on the ice is called “costumes” and his are designed by him to go with his music and a story and character that he develops for his program. His skates are a mini-theatre ice-play within the sporting context, as he takes you on a journey with his characters and still hits all the required elements during the program. Johnny’s costume for his short program was black with pink trim, a ruffle and tassle, and the music was Latin with a flamenco feeling…it totally worked for me and lots of other! Johnny performed all the same major elements as the 3 people on the podium in Vancouver (more successfully in some cases) and appeared to float on the ice with his graceful skating. To see such beauty may make some butch-er guys feel uncomfortable because they are not used to seeing a more ballet-like style of skating portrayed, but rather the more clumsy looking skaters who just go from required element to required element with the music in the background and no real feeling to the program. Those Canadian broadcasters who spoke about gender testing clearly don’t know anything about skating and skating styles, as there have been many more outrageous costumes on the ice than Johnny’s (hello Russian ice dancers). I personally prefer Johnny’s more graceful style, but to each his/her own. Don’t hate him because he’s beautiful.
Puri
Just like everybody else, Johnny Weir has the right to dress as he pleases without fear of derision by public commentators who are hired to comment on the skating. His clothing while on the ice is called “costumes” and his are designed by him to go with his music and a story and character that he develops for his program. His skates are a mini-theatre ice-play within the sporting context, as he takes you on a journey with his characters and still hits all the required elements during the program. Johnny’s costume for his short program was black with pink trim, a ruffle and tassle, and the music was Latin with a flamenco feeling…it totally worked for me and lots of others! Johnny performed all the same major elements as the 3 people on the podium in Vancouver (more successfully in some cases) and appeared to float on the ice with his graceful skating. To see such beauty may make some butch-er guys feel uncomfortable because they are not used to seeing a more ballet-like style of skating portrayed, but rather the more clumsy looking skaters who just go from required element to required element with the music in the background and no real feeling to the program. Those Canadian broadcasters who spoke about gender testing clearly don’t know anything about skating and skating styles, as there have been many more outrageous costumes on the ice than Johnny’s (hello Russian ice dancers). I personally prefer Johnny’s more graceful style, but to each his/her own. Don’t hate him because he’s beautiful.
ILoveDudes
“Don’t hate him because he’s beautiful.” I agree. Hate him because he’s a scumbag who’d joke about kids with leukemia.
Str8Edge
I like Johnny. Nobody is perfect. He comes off like a douche sometimes, but he speaks his mind. What you’re getting is probably how he really is, which is more than I can say for most. I don’t know that I would entertain people’s negative comments about my sexuality and such because that is personal. It has nothing to do with skating.
Puri
I don’t know that he’s ever joked about kids with leukemia, Johnny contributes to lots of charities and skates in charity shows all the time. But nobody is perfect and perhaps ILoveDudes has misinterpreted something Johnny has said in the past? It’s possible to do that for sure, as Johnny is quoted so often and sometimes his conversations with interviewers go into unexpected areas and may be criticized. I admire him because he is genuine, dedicated to his sport/art, and is a unique person in a world that churns out clones by the pressure to conform. Johnny is one in a million, and neither he nor his fans expect EVERYBODY to love him. It’s not possible. Don’t understand why the haters spend so much time negatively commenting on the web though, what does that accomplish except making the haters look like bitter sour grapes.
Sexy Rexy
@lizcivious: I’ve seen his show and watched it on a regular basis. Your garden-variety twink/club kid/aesthetic terrorist. With skating lessons.
Puri
Sexy Rexy, you’re entitled to not like Johnny Weir, but to call him “an aesthetic terrorist. With skating lessons” is just plain ridiculous. It’s fine to have different tastes, but there’s no reason to go after somebody just because they’re not YOUR taste. You don’t have to watch him, but he’s way MORE than what you’ve called him. Johnny Weir has pushed the envelope in his sport and influenced it forever. The newer skaters have all been influenced by him and those who know skating can see it. Even his peers have been influenced by his increased emphasis on skating’s artistic possibilities. it’s clear that you resent his success, so why don’t you go find your own niche and stop bashing somebody who has found theirs?
Jeffree
Whether or not you admire JW as a personality, he’s one h.e.l.£. of an athlete. He’s still finding his way post-skating & may make some missteps, but I think we’ll see him figure out what he wants to do and do it well.
I hope….
Sexy Rexy
@Puri: No, it’s not ridiculous; you just don’t agree with my POV. But that’s okay, I don’t agree with yours either.
And I don’t really think Weir has done anything to push the sport; Russian skaters have been doing what he’s doing for years, and with better music choices. John Curry did it first and did it better too. He hasn’t done anything special save for being more outspoken, and the Russians beat him to that as well. And they at least had the consistency to back up all their trash talk.
Puri
@SexyRexy: Everybody’s entitled to their opinion. We don’t have to agree.
This article is not about your feelings about Weir though, it’s about 2 broadcasters who said rather disrespectful things about Weir getting a slap on the wrist for it as expected. Johnny Weir himself stated that he did not want anybody to lose their job over a few comments, as he’s had a few verbal slips himself over time.
My hope for the new year is that we don’t have to have these conversations anymore, that people will be more tolerant of differences in every way and speak with more respect toward one another.
Happy New Year to all!