Olympic Figure Skater Johnny Weir Confirms: 'Stars on Ice' Deemed Him "Not Family Friendly" Enough to Perform
Earlier this week we reported that U.S. Champion and Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir had been denied a spot on the 2010 'Stars on Ice Tour,' because he is "not family friendly." We obtained the information from a source who wishes to remain anonymous.
In an interview with Access Hollywood on Friday, Weir confirmed that he will be excluded from the tour after tour sponsors deemed him “not family friendly.”
“It's for real," Weir said. "I’ve never been invited to do ‘Stars on Ice’ before, which is the only figure skating tour in the U.S. It’s disappointing that I can’t perform for my American fans… all because I’m not ‘family friendly’ enough.”
Following the news GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios issued a statement denouncing Johnny Weir’s rejection from ‘Stars on Ice.’
“Johnny Weir is a two time Olympian and three time U.S. champion. Other athletes of his caliber would be granted the opportunity to perform during national tours like Stars on Ice. By choosing not to bring the performances and talent of Johnny Weir to American audiences, Stars on Ice is reinforcing an unfortunate double standard that is too often applied to gay athletes and athletes perceived to be gay.
“GLAAD calls on Stars on Ice to invite all eligible figure skaters because today people of all gender expressions and sexual orientations are part of the fabric of our culture. Athletes of Weir’s caliber deserve the same rights to perform on this, and any, tour.
“We urge community members to speak out against this apparent double standard and call on Stars on Ice and corporate sponsor Smucker’s to demand equal opportunities for all athletes.”
Take Action Now:
GLAAD has generated an online petition telling the sponsors of ‘Stars on Ice’ that it is unacceptable to exclude Weir from the tour’s lineup because they find him “not family friendly.”
Contact information for 'Stars on Ice' and Smuckers (a corporate sponsor of 'Stars on Ice'):
Jennifer Cosgrove, Spokesperson ‘Stars on Ice'
jcosgrove@rbcpr.com
Phone: (201) 760-0200 Ext. 107
Maribeth Badertscher, Director of Corporate Communications, Smuckers
Maribeth.badertscher@jmsmucker.com
Phone: 1-330-682-3000
GLAAD will continue to post any new developments. Be sure to check GLAADblog.org for updates.
Comments
Wow! I have to say I am shcoked and ASHAMED at all of your responses to my stament that Smucker's should be applauded for offering Same Sex Domestic Partner Benefits this year.
The point is, they are being progressive. They are not legally required to offer such benefits, yet they do. There are still literally thousands of large companies in the US that aren't so progessive.
In the grand scheme of things, granting gay employees and their spouses equal benefits is SO SO SO SO much more imporatant than a freaking ice show.
Riddle me this, why would a company who has taken measures to give gay employees equal benefits, turn around and discriminate against another gay person. It doesnt make sense.
Smuckers is evasive. Their response to my complaint:
Thank you for contacting The J. M. Smucker Company regarding your questions about our Stars on Ice Sponsorship. Our Company has been a proud supporter of figure skating for many years.
We are disappointed that there is untrue and inaccurate information being disseminated about the selection of athletes to perform on the Stars on Ice tour. Each year IMG, owner of the tour, assembles a team of exciting, talented and accomplished figure skaters.
The J. M. Smucker Company would not tolerate discrimination of any kind during the selection process of tour athletes.
The current cast of the Stars on Ice tour is comprised of very talented performers including the Olympic Gold medalist, Evan Lysacek and the current U.S. National Champion, Jeremy Abbott.
While IMG wishes it could accommodate additional talented skaters as part of the cast, the fact is IMG cannot sign every skater to participate on the tour.
We thank you again for contacting us and allowing us the opportunity to clarify the inaccurate information being reported about the Stars on Ice tour.
Sincerely,
This is one gay man who is so disappointed that GLAAD would post a story bashing Smuckers. I live near the corporate headquarters for Smuckers and what you may not realize is
SMUCKERS STARTED OFFERING SAME SEX DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS THIS YEAR.
This has nothing to do with Weir being gay, and everything to do with his particular anti-family friendly behavior.
GLAAD maybe you should applaud Smuckers for its actions earlier in the year rather than bash them for wanting to hire skaters that know how to behave themselves.
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