Johnny Weir: 'Masculinity Is What You Believe'

By PopEater Staff Posted Feb 26th 2010 07:22AM

Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir finished sixth in the most prestigious competition in his field, but it didn't stop a pair of Canadian broadcasters from mocking Weir's clothes, his mannerisms ... and his masculinity. "It wasn't these two men criticizing my skating, it was them criticizing me as a person, and that was something that really, frankly, pissed me off," Weir responded, according to PEOPLE. "Nobody knows me. ... I think masculinity is what you believe it to be."

Last week, Claude Mailhot and Alain Goldberg of French-language sports channel RDS in Quebec suggested that Weir's scores suffered due to overly-flamboyant costumes. "This may not be politically correct, but do you think he lost points due to his costume and his body language?" Mailhot asked.

Goldberg chimed in that he worried Weir's mannerisms would discourage parents from letting their little boys pick up the sport. "They'll think all the boys who skate will end up like him," he said. "It sets a bad example."

The broadcasters then joked that Weir, 25, should be forced to prove that he's really a man -- unfortunately, a very real scenario for one athlete recently, when female South African runner Caster Semenya was forced to undergo a gender test to qualify for competition.

"I'm not somebody to cry about something or to be weak about something," Weir said at a press conference in Vancouver. "I felt very defiant when I saw these comments."

"I had fun, showed my heart and smiled," told PEOPLE a week ealier. "I want to show my heart and take fans on a journey -- that's my goal here." Watch the video below

Comments

(21)

Friday 26 February

By janilee

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I love Johnny Weir, he is a true individual. I would be proud if I had a son and he grew up to be like Johnny! He really should have gotten at least the bronze, he skated brilliantly and is a true showman. Take that, haters!!

By Marie

I agree, I think he should have gotten the bronze medal, at first I thought he was a little strange due to his costumes, but I think he wanted to look different , so what ,that doesn't make him less a man.

By Terri Baker

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Leave Miley alone, shes a beautiful young woman, brought up in a loving home. Let this young lady have fun with her talent. shes shown more grace and poise then these other young newbies!!!Not that shes a newbe at all. I have a lot of respect for this charming young lady and her parents. Leave her alone, respect her privacy and let do what she does best entertain he loyal fans. I am a 43 yr old mother of 2 boys 4 and 7 and they love her...You go Miley, you are beautiful. talented and a christian too...god loves us all..be who you are and true to yourself...this is true happiness...Thanks kid for taking the time to read this from an old lady like me...lol...continued sucess to you and all your family...Terri Baker...Livonia Mi

Wednesday 24 March

By Brandon

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Christian, huh? Well, no, that makes sense, nevermind. You're all the same. I was best friends with Johnny in 6th grade and he was the nicest kid anyone could ever meet. So keep trashing the Christian name, non-Christian.

By Denise

these sportscasters should never be allowed around a Microphone again. And to any parent who thinks that skating will "turn" your child Gay needs to be educated. You are BORN Gay not made that way! The first time I saw Johnny I was amazed by his persona. He is a truly brave individual.

By Inkling

REALLY? Do you KNOW Johnny Weir personally? How do you know he is gay? Even if he is, what is wrong with that? Who are you to judge others? It is all about perception. There is no right or wrong sexuality. Isn't that the point Weir was trying to make? He should be judged on his performance, nothing else. His performance and dedication to the sport are flawless.

By mary

Ignore him! He will go away!

By PattySue

Who cares if he's gay or not? I thought Canada was one of the most liberal places???

By charles

Denise, you are NOT "born gay". Very few quality as being "born gay". What a copout for a choice of lifestyle to pretend that one is born that way.

By Brett

Denise is absolutely correct in saying "born gay." I knew I was different at age 4 and later learned that difference was being gay. Charles are you gay? You can't possibly know what you're talking about unless you are gay yourself.
BTW JOHNNY WEIR ROCKS!!!!!!!

By Curt

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"Charles" is a very masculine name. I wonder if your parents thought YOU were born gay when they named you??

By r

he likes to bake cakes and have dress up parties

By Florida Girl

Johnny, you are so inspirational! You handled the whole situation like a true professional. I admire your integrity and your words.

By laura

Charles, why would anyone choose to be gay? It is very difficult to be different from your peers. From the time he was two we have known the my cousins 32 year old son was gay. By the age of three or four my brother-in-laws niece was obviously a lesbian. Let children be who they are; God loves each and every one of us!

By Joyce

Johnny Weir is what he is. Why do certain people feel the need to criticize the person? The Olympics are about ability; if he didn't have the talent he would not have made it that far in the first place. I give him credit for holding his head high, continuing to be his own person & rising above the critics (as he has shown more decency). Allow him to be who he is. He hasn't & isn't hurting any of you.

Joyce, you are totally right!! He's an outstanding athlete and that's all that really matters.

By Joanne

I remember Johnny from the Olympics 4 years ago and loved him then and was very glad to see him again! Love his creativity. I also think he deserved a medal this time. His final skating was brilliant and flawless. Those 2 broadcasters certainly showed their incredible ignorance. Really hope to see Johnny again in '14.

By kg

Johnny Weir is talented, a celebrity, and can be flamboyant, it's entertaining and there shouldn't be room for discrimination, only respect and admiration for the person and their talents. Sad, that there are ignorant and discriminatory persons that look to fuel hatred and not show positive constructive reasoning.

By Linda

Charles:

If you aren't born gay and it's a "lifestyle choice" then I guess you checked out both sides and chose to be "straight"? Just ask'n

Saturday 27 February

By Holly

Obviously you Willie doesn't know too much about figure skating otherwise he would understand the talent of Johnny Weir. He has a style and artistry on the ice not seen since the likes of British skater John Curry. If Johnny Weir chooses he shall have a full and successful life as a professional figure skater, coach or even choreographer. I wouldn't worry about Johnny's future at all.

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