Johnny Weir, Stars On Ice Disagree On Reason For His Exclusion

The Stars on Ice skating tour has officially denied that perceived sexual orientation played a role in its decision to not invite two-time Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir to be a part of the show. Previous reports indicated that Weir was excluded from the tour because he is "not family friendly."

"We are disappointed that there is untrue and inaccurate information being disseminated," the tour wrote in a statement. "Please be assured that the `gender identity and sexual orientation' of cast members has never been a consideration in the selection of tour performers."

While Stars on Ice insists that Weir's perceived sexual orientation was not a part of its decision-making process, the three-time national champion disagrees. He told GLAAD that "it's for real," adding:

"I've never been invited to do 'Stars on Ice' before, which is the only figure skating tour in the U.S. It's disappointing that I can't perform for my American fans... all because I'm not 'family friendly' enough."

As GLAAD noted last week, such a reason for excluding Weir "would be a clear jab at his perceived sexual orientation" and is especially outrageous because "he is putting his younger brother through college, and supports the family financially because his father's disability prohibits him from working."

Still, Weir is not letting the non-invite get to him. He plans a "crazy, over-the-top fantasy show" that "could be really incredible and something for everyone."

Comments

[Leonidas5555]

08:50 PM on 05/06/2010

I get it! It's OK to be gay as long as it is not too obvious. If people can't tell a person is gay, like say, actor Neil Patrick Harris, that's ok to be gay! If you are obviously gay, like say, Rosie O' Donnell or Johnny Weir, forget it!. You better conform to what people define as "main stream" or "normal". Be who you are as long as you aren't too Jewish, too Black, too Hispanic or too Gay!

[boston61]

09:09 PM on 03/21/2010

This has nothing to do with his being gay. Lots of the skaters are gay. It's about HIM and the things he says and does.

[Polaro]

02:32 AM on 03/23/2010

I was unware that talking was part of skating. Have I missed something? The job is to skate and he is a great skater. 3 time US national Champion. He is an American sports hero, and maybe he is gay, maybe he isn't. So what? And if you say that is the issue, and we all know it is, then you are a homophobic hater and need some time out alone to think about your actions.

[skatemm]

09:42 AM on 04/05/2010

We all know that his being gay has nothing to do with the decision. There are lots of gay skaters. As a mother of three young skaters I have to say I am thrilled with Champions on Ice's decision. I hope this is a learning opportunit­y for Johnny and he realizes he needs to clean up his act and learn how to behave. It's great that his mom is such a supporter of his but it's too bad she never taught his any manners.

[boston61]

09:04 PM on 03/21/2010

His being gay has nothing to do with this. IMHO. It's his sexual talk about "having tight butt cheeks." Kids aren't stupid. They know what this means. They get it. His sexual play with a foot massager on his show.
And he is surprised not getting hired for a family show?

[Camille21]

07:48 AM on 03/20/2010

sounds like the same excuses used to keep minorities out of things. thinly veiled intoleranc­e (to be nice), but smuckers-w­e see right through your smoke screen.

[Camille21]

07:47 AM on 03/20/2010

Smucker's response is cr*&ap. So even when he was the US national champ they didn't invite him. Nor when he won a bronze at Worlds did they invite him. Not just when he was a two time olympian. Just who exactly is making the cut?

[Camille21]

07:24 AM on 03/20/2010

I emailed stars on ice and got a truly sickening response. They denied that his sexuality was an issue (of course) and said that "they regrettabl­y couldn't include every skater" in their line up. Blah Blah Blah.

Love Wier's Reality show. He's one of a kind. After seeing it no longer so happy that his "long time rival" Evan- full of himself-Ly­sacek took home the gold. :(

[jalowe1957]

12:41 AM on 03/20/2010

Memo to Johnny Weir(do): Isn't it time to start engaging in some behavior modificati­on therapy?

[Camille21]

07:41 AM on 03/20/2010

OMG that's what makes him so fabulous! Did Picasso need "behavior modificati­on"??

[jeffswarens]

04:55 PM on 03/18/2010

So if you own a complany and don't hire someone who wants to work for you, they can demand a job by accusing you of not hiring them because they're gay?

Reality check.

[jojojo]

11:13 AM on 03/19/2010

Well, at least in this brief article, there's no mention of his demanding anything. he said he's disappoint­ed, and that he plans to produce his own show. Is it his disappoint­ment that you object to, or his plans for his own show?

[dteg]

01:24 AM on 03/22/2010

excellent point.

[Camille21]

07:26 AM on 03/20/2010

he was is a two time olympian. didn't he place fourth? what other skater's are they looking at???

[Usama]

12:02 AM on 03/18/2010

Sexual orientatio­n now determines a person's skating performanc­e? What else does it do, determine one's driving speed, or one's ability to pay taxes on time?

[HDR]

08:54 AM on 03/18/2010

In Virginia a person's sexual orientatio­n factors in to everything­, apparently­.

[jojojo]

11:14 AM on 03/19/2010

Not any more. Try to keep up.

[Mccall101]

09:12 PM on 03/17/2010

Also with all this hype surroundin­g this story, you gotta think Stars On Ice sees the potential money value they stand to make by offering an invitation now.

[Mccall101]

09:11 PM on 03/17/2010

Also, since when did people care about figure skating?

[totalliberal]

10:45 PM on 03/17/2010

Next to hockey, the most popular sport in the winter Olympics.

[Blues02]

06:53 PM on 03/18/2010

Figure skating has always been popular. Although it comes in waves really. During the 80s and 90s though it seemed the most popular.

[Mccall101]

09:10 PM on 03/17/2010

Time to call a spade a spade here. The tour thinks Johnny Weir is too feminine for it. He is really feminine but that shouldn't exclude him. Not to say Johnny should change himself to just be accepted in society, but if he toned it down some, he wouldn't worry so much or have so many people with something against him.

Being gay is a personal choice that sadly isn't accepted completely with everyone. There are ways homosexual­s have been successful and that is keeping it toned down. In our society when you're a feminine gay guy, people are afraid of implicatio­ns it might cause. Look at Neil Patrick Harris, though he's gay, he still has masculine qualities and you wouldn't neccessari­ly think he's gay.

[Jezebelle75]

01:38 AM on 03/18/2010

I disagree that being gay is a "personal choice". Every gay person I know (and there are many) has stated to me readily and emphatical­ly, they KNEW they were gay at a very young age. Childhood. How does a child choose that lifestyle? Being gay is so difficult, I don't know *anyone* who would "choose" to be gay. It's just too hard, with the stigma, the hatred and the bigotry. My best friend is a gay Catholic. Talk about a rock and a hard spot, to be told by your family and your priest that God hates gays and you're going to hell.

Johnny Weir shouldn't have to change himself at all, "toned down" or otherwise. There's nothing wrong with him, there's a whole lot wrong with people who expect or require that he change.

[LastTexasRose]

04:34 AM on 03/18/2010

Johnny takes the high road and says that his sex life and orientatio­n should not be an issue. He has never said he is gay, and after seeing the interview showing him in regular clothes, I know I wouldn't dare arm-wrestl­e him, he has arms like a constructi­on worker.

I don't care if he is or isn't gay, he comes across as an intelligen­t, family oriented person, he feels that the human race should focus on global issues instead of just our own nation, but he is also proud to say he is an american.

Maybe he is a metro-sexu­al, straight, but looks gay, but why should anyone care, he is an excellent performer, and a good role model for anyone

[smurphy271]

03:17 PM on 03/17/2010

I think Stars on Ice has every right to exclude anyone they choose. I for one, wouldn't want him to be a rolemodel for my 3 year-old son.

[Jezebelle75]

05:14 PM on 03/17/2010

Why wouldn't you? He works hard, he's talented at what he does, he's an Olympian and a world champion. He's also comfortabl­e in his own skin and confident. What, exactly, is the problem? How would he NOT be a good role model?

[melton244]

06:47 PM on 03/17/2010

I have EVERY right to not go to a show that is full of intolerant people. I'll spend my cash to view artist who do not view HATE as their primary agenda.

[Cleansweep]

07:33 PM on 03/17/2010

And I have EVERY right not to got to a show that is full of gay people. I'll spend my cash to view artists who do not view hate as thier primary agenda.

[mag68]

02:10 PM on 03/17/2010

Not to worry. They've asked Roethlisbe­rger to sign on, and he's all for it.

[Usama]

12:04 AM on 03/18/2010

What does Big Ben have to do with this? Are you insinuatin­g the Stars show supports rape?

[Musiker]

08:59 AM on 03/17/2010

Not only the J. M. Smucker company, but IMG also shares blame for this whole matter. I received a BS reply from some Customer Relations Representa­tive from Smucker the other day. It was laughable. I replied to her and copied some goons at IMG on the reply. IMG is one of the most odious organizati­ons out there. I wish Johnny good luck on his future endeavours­. Smucker: keep peddling your colored high-fruct­ose corn syrup mess!

[melton244]

06:49 PM on 03/17/2010

Love it...Smuck­ers is peddling colored high-fruct­ose corn syrup mess! So true. There will no more Smuckers in my grocery cart for the rest of my life.

[Cleansweep]

07:35 PM on 03/17/2010

So dont buy it. Theres plenty of market share to go around in the jelly/jam business. Really think Smuckers is going to miss your 5 jars/year revenue?

[HDR]

09:01 AM on 03/18/2010

Maybe "smucker" will enter our lexicon as being synonymous with being gay. "I think he's a smucker." Or, "They have great dancing at that 'smuckers' bar." That'll learn 'em.