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2/20/06
2/20/06

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MissTyrios

misstyrios

NEWSWIRE

Allston, MA

FEB 17, 2006 05:07 PM

As someone who regularly (and vehemently) disagrees with the American government and rolls her eyes at gaudy displays of patriotism, I am honestly surprised at how much I love the Olympics and how I find myself welling up as American athletes stand triumphantly on the medal podiums. But I am not ashamed of my unabashed love of figure skating. I don't care how cheesy it may be or how much it may be mocked by those who consider themselves "real" sports fans. I fuckin' love it. There, I'm out.

Apparently, however, 21-year-old American skater Johnny Weir is actually causing chatter over, well, not being out. Yes, figure skating is a sport that is often identified with women and men in sequins. And Johnny - who had been a strong medal contender but placed a tough fifth place this week - is about as fantastically flamboyant as they come. He wears designer sunglasses and fur gloves, he listens to Christina Aguilera, and he proclaims that "Republican-style people are very afraid of what I mean to the sport." But - and god love him for it - he doesn't think it's any of our damn business what his sexual orientation is.

"People talk," Weir answered. "Figure skating is thought of as a female sport, something that only girly men compete in. I don't feel the need to express my sexual being because it's not part of my sport and it's private. I can sleep with whomever I choose and it doesn't affect what I'm doing on the ice, so speculation is speculation. I like nice things, and beautiful things, so if that is the only way people are determining that I swing one way or the other, then to me, that's sad. You can't judge a book by it's cover, ever. . . . I am who I am, and I don't need to justify anything to anyone."


Hank Stuever of The Washington Post eloquently uses Johnny's outspoken attitude, unapologetic manner, and hot fuckin' skating to spin this all into a lesson that more parents need to learn (though perhaps a little more generally):

Let him prance around in whatever he likes, practice triple axels on roller skates in the driveway, and marvel at his tastes and abilities. Tell him it doesn't matter what the kids at school say. Tell him he can do whatever he sets his mind to. Teach him about honesty and self-criticism. Let him find himself. He might possibly grow up and reward you, not only with infinite gratitude, but with the sort of success that comes from sheer force of will: an Olympic medal, someday, or some cute thing he bought from Fendi in duplicate -- one for you, and one for him.

These are all things Weir's mother, the equally outspoken Patti, did.

She raised a kid who would grow up to nickname himself "J. We" and "Tinkerbelle" and tell Sports Illustrated that his only other ambitions right now are to own an apartment in either Chelsea or Soho and start his own fashion line. At home, in Quarryville, Pa., bullies at the rink would shoot hockey pucks at Johnny while he practiced, Patti Weir told the New York Times. "I raised him to speak his mind, even if it's about me," she said.

Weir has done what so many oddballs, gay or straight, raised by understanding mamas and papas in the sticks, have done -- he became a cultural omnivore. He loves hotels, he loves high fashion, he loves being in the world as opposed to shutting himself off. He's learning Russian. He names his costumes. He is complicated, self-aware to a maximum degree, and he loathes being misunderstood.

[...]

Mamas, let your babies grow up to be figure skaters.


Amen.

sometimesaway

sometimesaway

Portland, OR
June 2005

FEB 17, 2006 06:14 PM

That's fucking awesome! Thanks.

alpo

alpo

Portland, OR
OLD SKOOL

FEB 17, 2006 06:35 PM

quad axle?

MissTyrios

misstyrios

NEWSWIRE

Allston, MA

FEB 17, 2006 06:41 PM

alpo said:
quad axle?



You're incredibly clever. And the spelling is correct now, thanks.

DrZaius_

DrZaius_

Shallotte, NC
OLD SKOOL

FEB 17, 2006 06:48 PM

Let me be the first to ask, WWBBD?

Cash

Cash

USA
OLD SKOOL

FEB 17, 2006 06:50 PM

Johnny Weir said:
sexual being



Game. Set. Match.

DrZaius_

DrZaius_

Shallotte, NC
OLD SKOOL

FEB 17, 2006 06:52 PM

Cash said:

Johnny Weir said:
sexual being



Game. Set. Match.




Wha?

whitepuma

whitepuma

Australia
March 2004

FEB 17, 2006 07:09 PM

Really why does it make a difference weather a person is gay, straight or bi i hate small minded ppl who can not come to terms with todays climate. So what does it actually change who a person is if you find out the fuck the same sex or not. Um no they are still the same person. PPL get over it I say take the guy for what he is a brillant and talented man.

FridgeMagnet

FridgeMagnet

Chicago, IL
November 2004

FEB 17, 2006 07:17 PM

too bad he didn't think about the whole bus schedule thing in advance.

LiquidYogi

LiquidYogi

Claremont, CA
September 2003

FEB 17, 2006 08:32 PM

I support Johnny, his ideas are awesome, and I hope he does well with skating. But when I saw him interviewed, he seemed like a self centered prick. And thats just annoying

Tangus

Tangus

Chicago, IL
November 2005

FEB 17, 2006 08:49 PM

I don't like his attitude, it's very unolympic.

that said, team america is fucking up all over the place, so in the big scheme of things I guess it isn't that big of a deal. whatever

wipis

wipis

Lambertville, NJ
February 2006

FEB 17, 2006 09:34 PM

MissTyrios said:
As someone who regularly (and vehemently) disagrees with the American government and rolls her eyes at gaudy displays of patriotism, I am honestly surprised at how much I love the Olympics and how I find myself welling up as American athletes stand triumphantly on the medal podiums. But I am not ashamed of my unabashed love of figure skating. I don't care how cheesy it may be or how much it may be mocked by those who consider themselves "real" sports fans. I fuckin' love it. There, I'm out.



I agree. I make fun of those people who wear american flag pants and think their not a patriot unless they blow something up but I still love this fucked up country of our and when I see an American athlete kicking ass and taking home the gold my heart beats with joy.

As for figure skating my mother practically forces me to watch it with her. She doesnt like to watch it alone and no one else will watch and since I am good boy I sit and watch. Ive been on the ice. That shit isnt easy and you think getting tackled hurts try jumping into the air at full spead and come down knee first onto solid ice. Figure skating is an art but you have to be a damn good athlete to do it.

alpo

alpo

Portland, OR
OLD SKOOL

FEB 17, 2006 11:28 PM

MissTyrios said:

alpo said:
quad axle?



You're incredibly clever. And the spelling is correct now, thanks.



Meow!

MightyTick

MightyTick

Albany, NY
December 2005

FEB 17, 2006 11:43 PM

about time someone just said fuck you to the question 'orientation'.

FrankMask

FrankMask

Saint Paul, MN
June 2003

FEB 18, 2006 12:02 AM

Is this the guy with teh swan suit with the red glove? It's a neat costume. I don't like the fishnet, but it's a really neat costume.

Friedhamster

friedhamster

I'm lost
January 2006

FEB 18, 2006 05:17 PM

I love the olympics... always have. Watche every single one I can remember.

grahf

grahf

New York, NY
September 2002

FEB 18, 2006 07:41 PM


I don't feel the need to express my sexual being because it's not part of my sport and it's private.


I sure wouldn't complain if he expressed his sexual being a bit. I mean look at him.

joenobody

joenobody

I'm lost
December 2004

FEB 19, 2006 03:43 PM

DrZaius said:
Let me be the first to ask, WWBBD?



he'd make a plan and see it through!

that's what brian boytano would do!