It what many media outlets are viewing as a form of homophobia, the popular Stars on Ice production has decided not to recruit Olympian Johnny Weir to participate in their upcoming spectacle. According to GLAAD, sponsors of the tour claim the 3-time National Champion is “not family friendly.”
The two sponsors of the tour, Smuckers and IMG Entertainment, have not officially said that Weir’s exclusion is directly linked to his sexuality, but sources close to the sponsor told GLAAD that the skater’s perceived sexual orientation was a concern.
Weir is extremely involved with his family. According to OutSports.com, he is putting his younger brother through college and he 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 Weir and his family and friends through his life and career as a championship skater.
Just two years ago in 2008, Weir was set to skate for Champions on Ice, the gay-friendly tour where Rudy Galindo skated for an entire decade. Galindo, the 1996 U.S. National Champion, was not only out but wore his own brand of outrageous costumes — like fluttering rainbow flags, and Village People costumes, and a large sequined star on the seat of his tights.
Champions on Ice often took a liberal tack—hiring not only the “safer” gold medalists and world champions, but controversial figures like Galindo.
Stars on Ice debuted in 1986, starting as the “American Tour” organized by Scott Hamilton, with sponsors Discover Card and Plymouth.
