Figure skating has long been the butt of gay jokes. An organization in Canada is now saying it’s likely one of the reasons that young male skaters in Canada have turned more and more to hockey instead of figure skating; Few boys want to be the targets of gay jokes. From the CBC now comes a report that Skate Canada will unveil a campaign to combat the stereotype. “Tough” is aimed to show how strong and masculine male figure skaters are. The CBC report can be seen here.
The report talks to Canadian ice dancer Andrew Poje (that’s him above; tough and masculine, right?), who told the CBC that gay rumors have “always been something I’ve been teased about.”
Figure skater David Pelletier is apparently thrilled with the new campaign because it shows what a tough guy he is.
You don’t know how hard it is physically. If I can compare what a long program feels like, it’s like running a 1500 meter hurdle with a smile on your face. So you go out and try that and come talk to me.
Having run 300-meter hurdles in high school and done some limited skating, I see the comparison, but I somehow doubt that figure skating is as hard as running a mile of hurdles (an event that doesn’t exist). Sorry.
Regardless, a bunch of questions arise from the campaign. Is Skate Canada trying to discourage gay men from entering figure skating? Do they not want men who are effeminate? And what are the effeminate men in skating supposed to think of this new campaign that is clearly aimed at distancing the sport from them?
But the best question to ask may be, Will it work? Will showing guys tossing women into the air and catching them while skating backward transform how teenagers view a gay sport?
I wonder what Brian Orser thinks about all this.
Hat tip to Bruce T.
on Feb 3rd, 2009 at 10:28 AM
The condition of figure skaters (men and women) is incredible and I have no doubt that they are probably some of the most fit athletes across the board. I think the only thing “untough” about men’s figure skating are the costumes. Get rid of the frills, and fringe and glitter and put the guys is something a bit more toned down. Maybe luge or speedskating unis.
on Feb 3rd, 2009 at 12:43 PM
After watching the Canadian Figure Skating Championships and talking with the skaters afterwards, there’s no doubt in my mind that they’re not only in top physical condition but what they do is ridiciulously hard – moreso the pairs and ice dancing skaters… the pure strength, concentration and grace all mixed into one… it’s unreal.
Maddog is right, tone down the costumes and you’ll start to see a change. Maybe get to know some of the skaters… believe me, some of them have quite an edge to them and if people could see that side of them, I think you’d start to sway some opinions.
on Feb 3rd, 2009 at 2:18 PM
I am a trainer and exercise physiologist and have firsthand measured the demands of skating vs. other sports. It’s apples and oranges to try and compare but will comment that the demands it puts on the human body are certainly comparable to many other high intensity competitive sports. Combine that with the precision required, mental toughness, and consistency (if you want to win) and it is one of the toughest sports out there in that you truly need elite genetics (by luck of the draw of your parents) and training to be one of the best.
I agree that the costumes have gone from artistic/showy to absurd, and think that part of it is because of the strong Russian influence on the sport stylistically and that Russian culture is more tolerant about costuming that is perceived to be masculine vs. effeminate. Instead of starting a campaign to show how “tough” men in skating are, perhaps a ban on overly theatrical/trimmed/beaded/frilly/lacy/nude fabric-y costuming is an order.
on Feb 3rd, 2009 at 2:58 PM
This is not about the costumes. This is about de-gaying figure skating. Trying to convince the world, male figure skaters are not gay. It is like trying to convince the world NBA players are not black.
It is not about the costumes.
Skate Canada dishonors their medal winning athletes, by doing this. It is the equivalent of putting up a “No Gays Need Apply” sign.
If Skate Canada had even one single out competitive figure skater, they might get away with it. but they don’t Orser was outed after he retired via a lawsuit.
on Feb 3rd, 2009 at 3:50 PM
It really didn’t say what the TOUGH campaign will look like just that it will aim to show how strong and masculine male figure skaters are. This is good because figure skaters are strong and can be very masculine – Brian Joubert’s and Stephane Lambiel’s programs are evidence of this. On the American side, Evan Lysecek and Jeremy Abbott, Ryan Bradley are masculine on the ice. As others pointed out, a big issue is the costumes. Costumes are part of the sport and are expressive of the programs. Part of this is also cultural. The Russians don’t have issues with this because they nearly all come from a ballet background and realize the importance of costume. I heard a ice skating commentator once explain the a piece of fabic coming off an arm of a skater can hide flaws in arm and body position during the program that could cause a lower score. The costume is part of the strategy. It shows off body positioning and control.
I don’t think the purpose of the campaign is to distance gay men from the sport. Figure Skating is the most inclusive sport. If a gay man loves skating and is good enough to compete, he will compete – just as in any other sport. Is any competitive male figure skater out? Johnny Weir has not come out. I haven’t seen him on the cover of People with the storyline “Yup, I’m Gay!”
Will it work in transforming how teens view the sport? As it said in the report, only the numbers will show. But in the future, don’t call it a gay sport. It shows where you are coming from… and if there are any gay sports, than every competitive sport at the Gay Ganes and Out Games is also gay.
on Feb 3rd, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Why doesn’t skate Canada try to butch up interior decorating and male hairdressers too? This is geared at kids who won’t enter figure skating because that is a “fairy” sport, cheered on by their dads.
It is a case of skate Canada saying they can’t beat homophobia, homophobia is keeping new male skaters away from the sport, so we have to distance ourselves from everything gay.
I am surprised by the denial on this thread. If I didn’t know better, I would say skate Canadas PR was in repair mode right now.
on Feb 3rd, 2009 at 6:48 PM
This will lead to more gaybashing for all skaters. No wonder Jeff Buttle quit so suddenly. He wants to avoid the fall out from this.
on Feb 3rd, 2009 at 8:56 PM
So what’s the message of all these comments? ‘It’s the UNI’s, stupid.’ ?? Make the guys dress in what, blue jeans and plaid flannel shirts ? (oh, no, that makes them lesbians!) But something ‘masculine.’ So then the nellie-boys won’t get excited about skating; they’ll find some other outlet for their compulsion to dress up. And suddenly the kids in midget hockey will burn their sticks and start practicing triple toe loops?? Give me a break. It’s time for skating to get over the fear of “looking gay” and to celebrate its amazing athletes, whatever their orientation. Or maybe they should all skate in Speedos, Matt Mitcham style!!
on Feb 3rd, 2009 at 9:30 PM
“Toughen Up” to me is a code word for you know what. We have heard this kind of talk before, like in the 80s when the IOC sued the Gay Olympics from using that name. I am really shocked to see this from Canada of all places. This is the type of thing that happens in other counties. Isn’t the Canadian Federation government funded? You would think they would be worried about their financing. It only takes one pi*ssed off skating queen to stir up a whole lot of media shi*t. Too bad Johnny Weir wasn’t Canadian.
on Feb 4th, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Growing up I always noticed that American and Canadian male figure skaters were always a bit on the swishy side (I hate that word – sorry but it’s descriptive). This was in pretty obvious contrast to the Eastern bloc skaters (I’m in my 40s – so I’m thinking 70s & 80s – haven’t watched much skating since then), who were the product of a system that shepherded young gifted athletes in certain directions, whereas North American skaters seemed to be in it primarily by individual choice. To this day I think America’s last butch ‘Champion’ was Brian Boitano (and when I say butch I don’t mean anything one way or the other in regard to his sexuality – that’s a separate issue for me). Have we had more butch guy skaters since him?
on Feb 4th, 2009 at 5:39 AM
On the one hand – it is really funny. All those attempts of trying to make the sport masculine, especially in North America. All those skaters who desperately try to protect their “privacy” – 2007 World Champion Joubert (French!) once sued a newspaper for writing rumours about his sexual orientation, the Swiss newspapers publish an article about Lambiel’s (2005 & 2006 World Champion) sexual orientation every second week and he keeps repeating “It’s private”.
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Now to the not so funny part: I think the sport misses a part of its identity, it tries to be this family-friendly clean and proper weekend fun. But it’s not! It never has been. It’s sport and art, it’s acrobatic and balletic – it’s just not Hockey or American Football. And that’s how it’s supposed to be, we already have dozens of sports that deal with huge jocks beating each other up – but there is only one figure skating.
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Dozens of skaters, skating coaches and skating choreographers died of AIDS in the 80ies and 90ties (there even is a NYT article about that). I am astounded that there is no AIDS charity founded by skaters, that there is no annual gala where the victims are remembered, that there is no book or anything that talks about the victims. It’s like a taboo.
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Ballet has known Pas-de-Deux between men for decades, there are all-male ballets, including major productions e.g. Proust at the Opéra de Paris. The roles of the men are danced by straight and gay men alike (the title role in Bourne’s all male Swan Lake was first danced by a straight man) and apparently nobody cares. It seems to be impossible in figure skating. The only thing figure skating gets done is some stupid movie. When they dare to do something between two men, it’s always either imitating the movie mentioned above, or it’s some strange acting thing where the two guys pretend to beat each other up – always just supposed to be a stupid joke (seriously, at Stars on Ice Japan Buttle and Lambiel skated a number together – and all they could think of is making them imitate fighting each other? The two prettiest, most artistic, most talented and musical skaters of the past 5 years – and that’s what the show choreographer came up with?)
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I love this sport. I love it so much. I love the costumes. I don’t want the sport to be another kind of gymnastics, where especially the men have nothing artistic to do. I love the music. I love all the different styles, especially among the men. Give me the latino-dancers, the jocks, the subtle musical guys, the lyrical balletic guys, the comedians on ice. I love it all. But at the same time I hate the hypocrisy, the falseness, the taboos. I want skating to embrace itself, in all its outrageousness, its contrasts, its history, its unique place as a discipline somewhere between art and sport.
on Feb 4th, 2009 at 11:00 AM
It they had a gay skater saying how tough it was and how much homophobia they grew up with, sitting beside the straight skaters, echoing the same thing, maybe I would believe it. But without gay skaters in their ads, it comes off very homophobic, that tough is only a straight thing.
on Feb 4th, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Quote from Evenstar:
“I love this sport. I love it so much. I love the costumes. I don’t want the sport to be another kind of gymnastics, where especially the men have nothing artistic to do. I love the music. I love all the different styles, especially among the men. Give me the latino-dancers, the jocks, the subtle musical guys, the lyrical balletic guys, the comedians on ice. I love it all. But at the same time I hate the hypocrisy, the falseness, the taboos. I want skating to embrace itself, in all its outrageousness, its contrasts, its history, its unique place as a discipline somewhere between art and sport.”
Well said Evenstar. I agree with you.
on Feb 4th, 2009 at 1:15 PM
The smoking gun is Skate Canada pro-actively flushed away its “gay” albeit closeted skaters, over the last year. Gone from the national team are Emanuel Sandhu, Joey Russell, Jeffrey Buttle, Christopher Mabee and Shawn Sawyer
Gee I wonder what they all had in common?
on Feb 4th, 2009 at 4:22 PM
I want the real reason Jeffrey Buttle retired a year and a half before the Olympics. I think it was pressure from the Canadian Olympic organization to have only heterosexual champions.
This campaign by Skate Canadian is anti-gay.
on Feb 4th, 2009 at 4:35 PM
…I think this is disgraceful on Skate Canada’s part….figure skating just happens to attract gay boys and men because it is a sport that requires a high degree of artistry — that is something not really nurtured in North American households…..Shame on them for trying to not embrace the many gays in the sport who have brought the sport much honor!!!!
Tony – US Figure Skating Adult Skater and USFS Judge
on Feb 4th, 2009 at 5:21 PM
The problem is there is no GLBT rights group left in Canada to speak out on these things. When John Fisher left Egale Canada, after equal marriage was passed, the leadership and funding collapsed. Unless some American or European GLBT rights group speaks up, Skate Canada will be able to get away with anything they want. I expect Skate Canada to drag out their token homosexual Brian Orser, at some point, as a get out of jail free card. I would have hoped Brian would not let them use him like that.
on Feb 4th, 2009 at 7:45 PM
I think the greater (social) dilemma is the pressure that men face to be masculine (and, equally so, why women ought to be feminine). Sadly, that pressure comes from what I would like to call a social engine which dictates gender performance and the resulting fear that comes from not conforming; moreover, this fear is comes from society as well as ourselves)
Our hyper-masculine society and ideals, I think, are part of the reason why we have this issue and campaign unfolding. I really hope greater attention is paid to the question of why one (a male) ought to be masculine in order to be respectable, and particularly in the case of figure skating why masculinity must be proclaimed in order to get more (real?) boys/men to participate in the sport.
What is masculinity anyways? (Is it what is “not feminine”? I would say that historically it has been constructed as such and I suspect this is very much an/the issue here as well). I think we can do better than to perpetuate harmful and unjustifiable social dogma such as that. So, I kindly ask: can we please move to the root of the problem? Pretty please?
on Feb 5th, 2009 at 1:04 AM
This is not about masculinity, this is about a backward organization, Skate Canada, run by old closet queens and old homophobic women, trying to wash the gay away.
They over did it and now the world is angry with them.
Do you feel better now all the queers are gone Elvis? Is that why you came back? A 37 year old male figure skater who has never been married. How about you Benoit Lavoie, President of Skate Canada? Found any more guys, 30 years younger than you? Make sure you hide him from the cameras at the Skate Canada annual dinner in 2010 too, many will be watching?
on Feb 5th, 2009 at 1:31 AM
The head of Skate Canada is openly gay so I don’t think they’re trying to wash the gay away.
I think the whole point is that they want to attract more males to the sport. Let’s face it, there’s a serious decline in the number of males in the sport – in Alberta, there’s like maybe 3 competitive dance teams.
And unfortunately there’s a stigma that if you’re a guy and into figure skating, you must be gay. Well they’re trying to show that you don’t necessarily have to be gay to be a figure skating. It’s a “tough” sport to do… and hopefully attract more skaters.
They are, in no way shape or form, trying to get gay guys out of the sport or not to join it.
on Feb 5th, 2009 at 2:00 AM
I agree that this “tough” campaign is aimed at de-gaying, and it makes me very sad. Figure skaters ARE tough, no matter what their skating style is.
This campaign will tend to weed out the “artistic” skating styles in men (“artistic” being a code word for gay). There ought to be room for a lot of diversity in male skating styles…this is what makes the competitions interesting. Otherwise all the different competitors will start looking like clones of each other.
I have always been amused at how the top male Russian skaters, with all their ballet background and theatrical style and flamboyant costumes could come to the U.S. and Canada and kick the butts of our most “tough” “macho” skaters.
on Feb 5th, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Some professions are gay based, like interior decorating. They don’t try and distance themselves from gay to attract new male interior decorators. Some professions are straight based, like Nascar and Carpentry. That is the way the world works.
Skate Canada is an embarrassment to the entire Canadian Gay citizenry. I hope they fire the lot of them. I am shamed to see David Pelletier sign on board with this indirect but obvious, homophobia. I know he publicly said his son was not going into figure skating, only hockey because of the “frilly outfits” (code for gay) and that is sad, but this is and entirely new level. If Brian Orser comes to Skate Canadas defense on this, stand up to be counted with the Roy Cohns of history.
As for straight guy Andrew Poje, boo hoo hoo, you got gaybashed in school because you were a figure skater. Well news for you Andrew, gay guys grow up with this crap all their lives and nobody cries for them. Further more when they become productive adults, they still get the cold shoulder from jerks like you who bitch about us making you look gay too.
on Feb 6th, 2009 at 1:02 AM
Hi guys, Im a professional figure skater as well as a coach and judge in my sport. and Besides being Gay Im Black as well. all i can say is no matter how striaght or gay you are, the only thing tuff about figure skating , is handling the emotions and pressures not just from time to time , but on a daily basis. that’s what makes you or breaks you in any sport. being in singles,Dance and pairs competitions , made me strong and love the sport even more. I do it becuase it’s what wakes my heart beat. not because im Gay and like to wear frilly costumes. if that what you feel at the moment go for it , if it didnt work , change it. but not yourself.
.
Trust me , youll be surprised about how many striaght guys in figure skating swing both ways
on Feb 6th, 2009 at 1:42 AM
Skate Canada’s actions are laughable. Figure skating is popular with gay guys and middle aged and blue-haired ladies. De-gaying the sport does not to help market it. In fact, it will probably have the opposite effect. It’s 2009 and now we are going to get around to de-gaying figure skating. Yeah, that will work. Personally, I just love the sport and think this is all wasted time by Skate Canada.
on Feb 6th, 2009 at 4:33 PM
what would brian boitano do?
on Feb 6th, 2009 at 5:05 PM
What a crock! So instead of treating the problem, they blame the victims. The solution is to combat homophobia. Instead, they choose to perpetuate it. What they need is an inclusive message of skaters saying things like “some of my fellow skaters are gay and some are not. I don’t think it’s about that–it’s the skating, stupid!” They need to convey that skating is a combination of athleticism and artistry and that hetero guys can be artistic and gay guys can be strong and athletic.
I give this campaign a great big FAIL.
on Feb 6th, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Oh Canada, my Canada, how could you? This is such a sadly misguided campaign that demeans every boy who ever dreamed of learning to skate. It is blatantly anti-gay and will only serve to put another nail in the coffin of figure skatings’ diminishing popularity. It is destructive to the health and mental well being of their dedicated athletes. The truth is gay men are a hugely valuable and essential part of the sport not a detriment to be shunned. Shame on you.
on Feb 7th, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Skate Canada was trying to save money and hired this little, 2nd rate Canadian PR firm, Media Profile, to do this for them. They should have gone for a major PR firm like PMK and this disaster would not have happened. There is a reason why, if you are going to try and change a global sport, you pay the extra money and hire the pros.
Dollar store PR, Dollar store results.
on Feb 9th, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Are you people serious? Do you really think Skate Canada would want to anti-gay themselves? The thought is just ridiculous. No one at Skate Canada is that dumb, please.
Skate Canada is trying to play up on the athleticism. Lets face it skaters make it look easy. Skaters are for sure one of the most beautiful people in sport and they perform programs in nice costumes with smiling faces unlike any other sport. Skate Canada just wants them to get the credit they deserve for being great athletes.
This is obviously being played up by the media. Please read Cam Cole’s article.
http://www.canada.com/Technology/Comment+misinterpreted/1256339/story.html
The reactions on this page are so pathetic. I would never write such things unless I knew for certain I had my facts straight, something it seems none of you have.
on Feb 9th, 2009 at 9:23 PM
Its also called a discussion, Cindy.
on Feb 10th, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Skate Canada lost a huge opportunity to grow figure skating in the gay community. It has kicked sand in the face of the gay community, the opportunity is forever tainted.
The future of figure skating is now Asians. Non Asian skaters, regardless of what country they were born in, are what Vancouver 2010 is all about. Joannie Rochette barely got applause at 4CC held in Canada, compared to Korean, Kim Yu Na and Japanese Mao Asada. The De-Gaying of figure skating encourages this and coincides with the shift of figure skating to a primarily, Asian sport.
on Feb 12th, 2009 at 2:38 PM
I was at 4CC and Joannie got a standing ‘O’ so I don’t think that she needs to worry about anything. The only Asian to win gold a last years Worlds was Mao.
As for Skate Canada kicking sand in the face of the gay community, I call bullshit. The Skate Canada comment was totally misinterpreted. Skate Canada is trying to show the world that figure skating is just a demanding as any other sport. Tough is tough. As a skater and being gay I know that we don’t get the recognition that we deserve. Skating is a tough sport. I support Skate Canada is trying to show the world the athletic side of figure skating. Who ever said anything about being anti-gay? There is an assumption that gays are not tough…total lie. If you believe that using the word tough is a motive to try and push out gays you are the one following with the stereotypes.
on Apr 1st, 2009 at 12:34 PM
I am gay, i am italian (i live in Italy one of the most homophobic country in Europe) and i practice figure ice skating.
Prejudice towards this sport are so deep in our culture, but i think all over the world.
I can say that there not so many gay ice skater in Italy i did not find any since now, but i paly in a small club.
I think that the point should not be on the custumes, prejudices had to be banned as a rule.
It’s like gay pride…in Italy a lot of people critics the gay pride parade and say that it would be better for gay rights if people will not dance nude on the streets.
It’s the same, what must change is the prejudice towards something and not the way to be of people. We must be free to do whatever we want without prejudice.
Mi experience with ice skate is positive, i never had to face prejudices for my homosexuality. I think that the ambient is quite tollerant. but this is my limitated experience.
Sorry for my english.
on May 5th, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Well, I am sure that I will get flack from my comments but whatever.. I always liked figure skating. It’s unfortunate though that it does appear that the men in the sport are going full out in the costumes, etc. Just too flamboyant! Johnny Weir, especially… It actually takes away from the actual sport that truthfully, is just as tough as some of the major Olympic sports! But those costumes! COME ON!!! Elvis Stojko did not do any of that and neither did many others. And with Elvis you truly recall his footwork and his toughness, not his feathered or tasseled costumes that would catch on something..
on Sep 7th, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Does it really matter whether someone is gay or straight?
It’s the results that count.
Canada is a great figure skating history with both gay and straight medal winners.
They just need to leave it alone. If anything, they need to show how much fun it is to skate, rather than show how BUTCH it can be.
on Oct 17th, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Wow. People are so stupid. This whole article is basically saying that Canada wants to let people know that you need to be tough to skate. Whether you’re straight or gay.
I’m a figure skater, and even though I’m a girl, I see the stereotypes all the time. I’ll tell my friends about a guy I skate with, and the first thing they ask is “Is he gay?”
Just because a guy dances doesn’t mean he’s gay. Just because he does gymnastics doesn’t mean he’s gay.
If a girl does a more “manly” sport (ie, wrestling) people don’t question that girls femininity.
It’s mainly just figure skating.
I think more guys should try figure skating, and see just how much commitment, strength, mental and physical toughness you need, along with looking good.
on Jan 8th, 2010 at 1:16 AM
I am a male figure skater and i not gay one bit I’m 100% not gay and i have nothing against gay people! My friends dad did figure skating and he brings a girl home every night.
on Feb 8th, 2010 at 5:23 PM
I do not think this should be an issue. However, to the point it may be disauding young boys/men to pursue this sport and art then I think it helps to state just how difficult figure skating is. By stressing what should be; the actual “toughness” of this sport, not anyone’s personal life, perhaps more young men would enter. It seems the Russians and Japanese have successfully highlighted that aspect and have produced some dominating male skaters.
Personally I am saddened the sport has a weaker following, and could be subject to any ridicule, because I believe it is an area where sports and the arts meet; incredible physical endurance and beautifule choreograghy. That this is even an issue may say more about our place in history than it does about figure skating. It clearly has no bearing on ability and talent.
on Feb 8th, 2010 at 5:39 PM
I would add that press does mention Johnny Weir’s personal life in many articles. That has to be a burden on the athlete and the sport. Whenever signifigant attention is given to another aspect of someone’s life than the sport at issue, both are reduced by stereotypes, bias, and crtiticism.
on Feb 25th, 2011 at 1:36 AM
think about it. a guy is surrounded by girls for X number of hours a day, trains with them, travels with them, they wear really short dresses etc. if a guy were to be gay i doubt that ice skating did that to them. im pretty sure they would have been gay with or without figure skating.
ive been skating since i was 9, i made it to nationals in the senior level, i know a ton of guys some of which are gay and some that aren’t. i dont think its the sport i think its the guy.
one fundamental rule my mom firmly believes in. no jumpsuits. ever. and that seemed to work for my brother so honestly i think people need to grow up and realize that figure skating is one of the hardest and most physically demanding sports out there and you need to be an incredible both on and off the ice to truly succeed.
lets lay off the gay jokes and just appreciate the sport.