ANGER OVER COMMENTS ON MEN’S FIGURE SKATING
Championships (Pic: David W. Carmichael)
There’s been anger over a number of on-air comments by members of the media discussing men’s figure skating events in their commentary of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) noted two instances of homophobic commentary in the US.
OutSports.com reported that an afternoon radio host on the 105.3 KRLD-Dallas station made defamatory comments about American Olympic figure skater, Johnny Weir.
“Yeah we know you’re gay, queen,” radio host Gregg Hanson reportedly quipped. “It’s your choice to live that ‘lifestyle’.”
MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough also made a jibe about men’s figure skating on Thursday.
“Well, it’s always, every four years I look forward to it. It’s a great chance for me to do a couple things at once. It’s usually where I get my nails buffed and polished while
sitting there watching men’s figure skating,” he said on air.
In Australia, broadcaster Eddie McGuire and comedian Mick Molloy were criticised for what was described as “schoolboy sniggering” by the Crikey website while they commentated on men’s figure skating at the Olympics.
“What about the fashion at the ice skating?” McGuire commented on Weir’s skin-tight costume. “They don’t leave anything in the locker room those blokes,” added Molloy. “They don’t leave anything in the closet either do they?” replied McGuire.
He later went on to describe the skater’s outfits as “a bit of Brokeback,” referring to the gay themed film Brokeback Mountain.
GLAAD said that it is “unacceptable that these Olympians are subject to undue mockery about their perceived sexual orientation and/or gender identity”.
Are they wrong?. Speaking for my (gay) self, I don’t like my men to look like fairies.
I LOVE figure skating, but some of these guys could really learn a thing or two about skating brilliantly … like a MAN!
As for the pic in this article? Well now I know why so many gay men write “straight acting” on their profiles.
I agree there’s a place for everyone under the sub – yes, even flapping queens, but let’s face it, if we want to be THAT politically correct, there’s also a place for people who, in terms of freedom of speech, are also allowed to voice their (negative) opinions… They are entitled to them! As for myself, while I don’t encourage homophobia, I count myself among the ‘straight acting’ gay group.. with all the outraged gay cliches that get thrown my way about ‘acting’…
Deal with it – I have…!
how sad,, that even you as an ‘outspoken’ gay ‘straight acting’ man has to worry about what Weir is wearing or how camp he is… and side with the ‘straight’ side… maybe one day,,, when people stop worring about what one does in one’s bedroom, and concentrate on the ability that one has in one’s life,, things may change..
To have to act to be staight… looking or in your behaviour.. why can you not just be… the person you are,,, and live life to the fullest..
stop judging..
lol. Like you judged me?
I am human, and entitled to an opinion. I think you missed the point entirely..