majestically-fangirling: krystal-tsuki:shieldon: Young Viktor & Johnny Weir @judarchan OMG
majestically-fangirling: krystal-tsuki: shieldon: Young Viktor & Johnny Weir @judarchan OMG *_* IT SURE AS SHIT WAS AND LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING: Figure skating is a surprisingly homophobic sport, in part due to how flamboyant that was. So much so that young gay men are openly harassed and gay women even worse so. Johnny Weir was repeatedly called Johnny Queer publicly by spectators, coaches, other skaters, etc. Judges were unbelievably harsh on him, even if he had a technically perfect program (which, he often did). Why? Because he was flamboyant off the ice just as much as he was on. Even though he never really came out until the tail end of his career, he never denied his sexuality when people asked either. He maintained a neutral voice, which everyone assumed to mean he was gay, and for that simple fact, he was shit on and harassed and scored low consistently. Broadcasters even went so far as to question his gender on public television. Even commentators like Scott Hamilton would admit on multiple occasions that he was one of the strongest skaters in the men’s division but he wouldn’t place because he was too “controversial”. Mind you, this was in the latter half of his career. When he first started out, he won the Grand Prix twice, placed third at worlds and won Junior Worlds when he was still establishing his career. And the minute he came into his own he was rejected. And you know how he handled it? He smiled and continued being himself. People would ask him if he would tone down his programs and he would actively refuse because he did not want to compromise who he was. So for YOI to pay tribute to this skater that I have looked up to since childhood brought so many tears to my eyes. Try telling me that this show is fanservice or queer-baiting, I dare you. Because if you knew anything about skating and the politics behind it, you would know that this show is breaking down huge barriers, and not just in the Japanese culture, but an enormously international one as well. Paying tribute to an icon like Johnny Weir isn’t just a tribute to figure skating, it’s a tribute to the LGBT+ community, however subtle it may be. -- source link
#johnny weir