December 3, 2013 To the Editor: Perhaps, people, it is time to award Johnny Weir his tiara, perhaps throw him a parade, and allow him to fade into the rainbow (“Johnny Weir Says Gay Protesters Are ‘Idiots,’” by Andy Humm, posted online Dec. 3). He has lost any credence as a gay spokesperson, if he ever had any. Weir is Weir much like Liberace was Liberace. He enjoys playing dress up and preening for a crowd but, like Liberace, he is damaging to the gay community for his elitism. And let us all remember that Thomas Roberts shamefully pled that he could not find a way to comment on the topic of LGBT discrimination while on stage in Russia. And if the Roberts can’t give a shout out on a stage surrounded by beauty pageant contestants, should we be surprised if Weir only self-aggrandizes himself more while “reporting” from Sochi?
David Fagan
December 3, 2013 To the Editor:
Good-bye Johnny, sad he just lost all his gay support. He says he’s ignorant of Russian politics. Then why comment? Obviously he’s never been to a march where people threw rocks or yelled epithets at him. I’ll never buy a ticket to see him. I won’t watch NBCs Olympic coverage. Did you hear that sponsors? Weir better start waving the rainbow flag. Maybe even the US flag that stands for freedom, because his waving the Russian flag now supports hatred and violence.
Barry G. Wick
December 5, 2013 To the Editor:
Queer Nation protested Columbia University and Barnard College for allowing openly gay Olympic skater Johnny Weir to speak against a US boycott or gay and lesbian athletes boycotting the Winter Games in Russia. Queer Nation should step back from attacking openly gay and lesbian athletes and concentrate on demanding US corporate sponsors of the Olympics speak out against the homophobic laws put in place in Russia and publicly embraced by their president, Vladimir Putin.
I rather doubt that anyone in the leadership of Queer Nation has spent their lives with one goal in sight. Winning Gold for their country at the Olympics. I believe in supporting the Russian lesbian and gay movement by bringing attention here to what they are going through. I support the athletes who want to compete as athletes and not be frightened or intimidated by the Russian government and their security apparatus, the Orthodox Church, or the neo-Nazi youth thugs, all hellbent on attacking gays, We should be demanding the Olympic organizers provide safe space for all athletes participating. I support any openly gay athlete like New Zealand speed skater Blake Skjellerup, who wants to compete.
Wake up, Queer Nation. This is one tactic that hurts gay and lesbian people. I have stood with you this fall in protests, and I have dumped vodka to make a political point. But I will not stand with you in silencing gay and lesbian athletes or in demanding they do not compete. And I say to my friend Gilbert Baker: fight the power, not the athletes. I, for one am proud of them — and I just bet you are, too.
Jim Fouratt
December 5, 2013 To the Editor:
It’s that simple. He’s an idiot all the way to the bank. He doesn’t have an ounce of sensitivity to his own oppressive situation as a gay may because he has money and fame.
Ruth Berman
December 5, 2013 To the Editor:
Gay City News is back in stride again, with articles such as this. First I heard of Elton John playing the fool, again. Listened to some of the liberal MSNBC tonight, missed any of the Johnny Weir story, if any, on that network. It’s out of the bag, the mainstream corporate media doesn’t hold any genuine concern for the LGBT community. Thank god for ourselves and our many and good straight supporters who do continue the fight.
William Stribling
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