Home > Entertainment > Johnny Weir Deemed “Not Family Friendly” Enough to Perform in Stars on Ice Tour

Johnny Weir Deemed “Not Family Friendly” Enough to Perform in Stars on Ice Tour

Mar 12th, 2010 | 16 responsesPosted by OIA Staff in Entertainment, News

GLAAD has learned from a source that wishes to remain anonymous that sponsors of the Stars on Ice Tour, which include Smuckers and IMG Entertainment, have refused to allow 3-time US National Champion and 2-time Olympian Johnny Weir to participate because they claim that he is “not family friendly.”

To say that Weir is “not family friendly” would be a clear jab at his perceived sexual orientation. Weir is extremely involved with his family. He is putting his younger brother through college, and supports the family financially because his father’s disability prohibits him from working. Weir’s dedication to his family can be clearly documented in the Sundance series, Be Good Johnny Weir, which follows him and his family and friends through his life and career as a championship skater.

[ via GLAADBlog.org ]

Tags: GLAAD, Ice skating, Johnny Weir, Perform, sexual orientation, Stars on Ice Tour, Sundance

billy blazer

My guess is there’s a special place in hell for christians with family values.
Robb

Not Family Friendly!
Sports figures who beat up their girlfriends, are involved in multiple sex scandles, and are involved in violent crimes,
Now that is what family friendly is all about
Kenney

It surprises me so many closeted skaters are staying quiet about this. What the heck does Stars on Ice threaten them with? Anyways, the owner of Stars on Ice, Scott Hamilton, speaks on Pat Robertsons 700 Club and Smuckers is major donor to the Republican Party. Skate Canada tried to De-Gay figure skating with their “Tough” campaign last spring, so deep troubles for this sport.
Brad

everyone needs to send and email to Smuckers and IMG Entertainment…and tell them how we feel
Gary Dee

Let’s just step back from the emotionalism and start thinking in terms of dollars and sense, yes, I said sense. Stars on Ice is, after all, a business, so if they don’t think one of our own is business worthy then we’ll just take our money elsewhere. Surely we can get our collective heads together and create a venue to showcase Johnny’s and other gay- friendly skaters’ talents. But all that is moot, with what is going on in states like Oklahoma and Virginia, trying to sneakily strip away our hard earned rights. It’s time we picked our battles, instead of having them picked for us. Time to be proactive instead of simply reactive.

Gabe

You’ve got a very good point. While we do need to adopt a more proactive stance, that stance should balance out with the emotionalism of the provoked reaction. It has been my experiance that a great deal of people still see the LGBTQ community as subhuman, and they expect us to react more like animals, pure instict and reactions. Since human beings use both emotions AND logic (*and we are human blast it, no matter what some people claim) we should strive to balance out the emotional reaction to such events with the logic of the situation to produce change.

I long for the day when I can teach my children of a time long past, when a person was denied the right to marry whom they wish or a drink out of a water fountain because of the color of their skin. I hope by then, they will look at me in utter disbelief.

John F

It’s another case of absolute discrimination. “Not Family Friendly” is a euphemism for gay. One solution is to boycott Stars On Ice.
Blair Boudreau

Did I miss something? “Not family friendly”?? Whose family? I remember seeing Johnny SKATE brilliantly at the Olympics. I don’t recall seeing him f*@k anyone at all! So, what does his sexuality have to do with it? Geez! Like skintight farmer pants isn’t a gay outfit. If anything Johnny should be the one to reject stars on ice… That pink and black corsette is way to classy for those homophobic bigots. Good luck with ticket sales!
barry

I believe it is just fear that drives these people. The fear of his success, talent, moral high ground ( was it not one of ABC olympic anouncers that was charged with asulting his girlfrend ) They fear anyone different who is about to become successful but not on their terms! One can only feel sad for people that are so insecure.
David

I sent the following email to: starsonice@imgworld.com

It has been suggested that you change your name to Bigots On Ice for the disgustingly shameful way in which you have blacklisted Johnny Weir for being what you call “not family friendly,” which, of course is an utterly absurd lie. He is more “family friendly” than probably anyone else you have selected. Facts are facts. Discrimination is discrimination.

It would do absolutely no good to try to “reason” with the likes of you people. You’re clearly beyond reason. Hang your head is shame!

Patrick

Thanks for posting the address. I left the following:

How exactly does a corporate sponsor like Smuckers come to the decision that an individual is not “family friendly”? What is the basis for such a decision? Do you conduct some sort of focus group? Or do a couple of bigoted so called “executives” decide that someone is too flamboyant or too unusual to be “family friendly”? Did you actually look at how Johnny supports his family or would you not consider his commitment to his brother and father family friendly”. For a second, you made 2010 feel like 1980 all over again. But then I thought “homophobes in ice skating”? Seriously!!

Michael Markic

If this proves to be true, who do we contact to protest this nonsense??? It’s amazing the Idiots that claim to be in charge and protecting the FAMILY while their with their 2nd, 3rd, 4th wives and mistresses and $$$$$$ on the side.
simpsonphd

Note to the gay groups spending billions of dollars annually on such entertainment as “Stars On Ice”: boycott Stars On Ice performances.
Gabe

This is ridiculous. His sexuality has ZILCH to do with his ability as a skater. So he’s flamboyant, so what! He’s a figure skater, they are supposed to be over the top and flamboyant! Did I miss the part where figure skating will now be perfomred in loose clothing that is all one color, covers the whole body, with be no music, and no personal style?

Are the sponsors afraid that Johnny Weir’s flamboyance is going to corrupt the youth of America? There are much worse things than being fabulous to worry about in America today. You can’t say the word god on TV but you can say bitch? You can show a violent murder on primetime TV but a man who’s favorite accessory is glitter frightens them into therapy? Please.

The man has skills and talent. Isn’t that what was supposed to be being showcased on the tour? Weren’t they supposed to be promoting the sport to the next generation? So, show the best we have to offer!

The sponsors should take a step back and re-evaluate their positions.