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Johnny Weir banned from “Stars on Ice” for not being “family friendly” enough for skating tour
Homophobia rears its ugly head again. I can’t make the world fair but I can shine a light on injustices like this: 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.”
Writes GLAAD: 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. … While Weir has not officially announced his sexual orientation, he has garnered a significant amount of LGBT fans. He remains one of the most outspoken skaters today, and won an online poll asking fans “Who would you like to see guest star on Stars on Ice?”
Here is a link to a PETITION to show your support for Weir be included in Stars on Ice.
UPDATE: Here is what Johnny had to say to Access Hollywood’s Billy Bush about the snub: “It’s for real. All because I am not family friendly enough. I understand I am a little outrageous but I wish I could perform for the fans…Maybe right now, just artistically and creatively, I’d love to have my own show, with musical acts, like maybe getting Lady Gaga! I don’t like to think there are any boundaries. Anytime you get men in glitter it’s flamboyant!”
Comments
(All comments are reviewed before being published, and I review submissions several times per day.)
Daniel Lewis Frommherz says:
In my mind boycotting Smucker’s products sounds like a really good deal made in heaven what does everybody else think? Would it make a difference? How do we make Smucker’s understand that we just will not take this petty retribution towards a wonderful to watch Ice Skater? I don’t know anything about IMG Entertainment except what I find on their website:
Events Management
IMG is committed to helping our partners drive business growth by creating and managing global sports, fashion and lifestyle events to function as effective sales and marketing platforms.
Global Services
IMG partners with the world’s leading marketers and media networks to build their businesses through strategic consulting, licensing programs, market research, rights negotiation, sponsorship sales, program management and concept development
Kat25923 says:
Johnny Weir is so freakin awesome he could sell-out his OWN show, these ‘stars on ice’ people are complete A-holes w/ a capital A, not to mention lawbreakers for discrimination. Johnny is waaaaay out of their league anywayz, yes, a boycott on smucker’s sounds good, i am with Mr. Frommherz 100%. Good grief, these idiots are pathetic…
steve says:
Folks have every right to boycott Smuckers products………as I have the right to support them, and I will. Flamboyant, not family friendly? I don’t know or care. Any sponsor has the right to invite whom they choose.