Johnny Weir ban demonstrates continuing need for events that fight homophobia

Extract from the Clip 'n' Chips blog:

The recent scandals and controversies surrounding Olympic athlete Johnny Weir have brought to the surface once again the issue of homosexuality in sports. While Weir himself has been reluctant to address his sexuality, probably for good reason, the commentary about him as well as the pure fascination with his persona and demeanor has put a spotlight on the homophobia and stereotyping that still exists, though largely dormant and underreported, within athletics and sports casting and reporting today.

In 1982 Tom Waddell formed the Gay Olympics in San Francisco in an effort to promote inclusion and sportsmanship within both gay and straight communities. Though Waddell did eventually have to drop the word “Olympics” from his organization, because the word “Olympics” is essentially trademarked, the event survives to this day, 28 years later, as the Gay Games. Along with the Outgames, another more recently created sporting event of the same nature, the Gay Games have brought together thousands of people from all across the United States and the world to celebrate and take part in sporting events under the banner of respect and inclusion.

From its inception many people from both the gay and straight communities have questioned the necessity for such an organization(s); and some have criticized its founding as an attempt to inject the topic of sexuality into sporting events, which many claim should be void of any kind of cultural points of contention. However, the stories generated about all things Johnny Weir have pointed out in fact that the missions of both events are more important now more than ever.

Read the full article HERE.