Skate Canada has started a new campaign to "toughen" up the male figure skater image, denying the rumour, figure skaters are gay. Yet, Skate Canada has never had 1 single competitive Out skater in it's entire history. In the last 3 months, several of Skate Canada's "rumoured" to be gay skaters, have quit including current World Gold Medalist Jeffrey Buttle and Canadian Silver medalist Christopher Mabee. It is highly unusual for your champions to leave suddenly, but even more unusual, to leave 17 months before the Olympics starts in their own country.
CBC has posted the first piece on their website, apparently, a wave of these come in March until the 2010 Olympic start.
Anybody else kind of freaked out by all this? especially in Canada of all places? Brian Orser, who was forced out of the closet after he retired, in 98, via a palimony suit, seems to be very silent on this.
(Skate Canada officially supports the SIMS (Serving in Mission) Evangelical Skating Charity Shows. these are the folks who promote abstinence only cure for AIDS and declare on their website, they disagree with the "homosexual lifestyle". Additionally, The current Director of Marketing a Skate Canada, Debbi Wilkes, the one you will see in the clip, is 63 years old. She earned her last Silver Olympic medal in 1963, when homosexuality was still illegal in Canada.)
Concerned about this officially called "new Canadian Marketing initiative" thing......
CBC Sports video
Full Version: Skate Canada's push to de-homosexualize Figure Skating
I don't understand the thinking, either. Even if they want to promote the "figure skating is tough" theme, why is "tough" incompatible with "gay?" And why aren't more figure skaters coming out as gay? Even if you're 100% straight people will still think you're gay, so what fear could there be for skaters who actually are gay? I know they're propping up Patrick Chan (who is one of the many promising young male skaters), but I hope Jeffrey Buttle didn't quit because of gay rumours--goodness, we all know he's gay!
I don't think Jeff would quit because people might think he is gay, he stopped the bearding nonsense with Joannie Rochette a couple of years ago. I think he would quit because he knows the political crap this campaign is going to drum up and he doesn't want to get caught up in, or can't handle the crossfire and politics. It didn't think anything of it because it makes sense to go out on top, but then Chris Mabee retired, only days later, with the excuse of "no motivation" which is the exact same excuse Jeff Buttle gave...... sounds like code for something more sinister to me. In order toe deny the rumour all figure skaters by publicly naming the straight ones, you have to also publicly name the gay ones too.
The figure skating closet
The figure skating closet
Its not as if Canadians care one way or the other if our champions are gay or straight, we just want them to win. We probably assume they are gay anyway. From Toller Cranston to Buttle we cheered for them all the way and didnt care who was sharing their bed. If this campaign really is what is driving the retirements it is one major dumb a** policy that is certain to backfire on ice and off.
QUOTE(swiminbuff @ Feb 1 2009, 07:40 PM) 
Its not as if Canadians care one way or the other if our champions are gay or straight, we just want them to win. We probably assume they are gay anyway. From Toller Cranston to Buttle we cheered for them all the way and didnt care who was sharing their bed. If this campaign really is what is driving the retirements it is one major dumb a** policy that is certain to backfire on ice and off.
Oh boy! Rick Mercer should get a lot of material out of this!
QUOTE(DavidBC @ Feb 1 2009, 06:17 PM)
In the last 3 months, several of Skate Canada's "rumoured" to be gay skaters, have quit including current World Gold Medalist Jeffrey Buttle and Canadian Silver medalist Christopher Mabee. It is highly unusual for your champions to leave suddenly, but even more unusual, to leave 17 months before the Olympics starts in their own country.
That is really bizarre. I don't know how old these guys are but unless you know you're incapable of competing, why would you quit before the Olympics being held in your home country?
Elvis Stojko won his second Olympic Silver, just before he turned 27 and that would be Jeffrey Buttle's age in 2010. Chris Mabee is 2 years younger still. Brian Orser also won his Calgary Olympic Silver at 27.
I think much of this marketing push, is a generational thingy. A women (Debbi Wilkes) in her 60s doing things, she honestly thinks are right, but are negatively impacting athletes, in their 20s. That's a 40+ year age difference. Gays in sport 40 years ago....well you get the picture of the world she grew up in. Skate Canada needs fresh blood, not old thinking.
I think much of this marketing push, is a generational thingy. A women (Debbi Wilkes) in her 60s doing things, she honestly thinks are right, but are negatively impacting athletes, in their 20s. That's a 40+ year age difference. Gays in sport 40 years ago....well you get the picture of the world she grew up in. Skate Canada needs fresh blood, not old thinking.
Trying to take gays out of male figure skating sounds like taking hamburgers and french fries out of happy meals. Or horses out of horse-racing. Someone needs a "reality" check, and a "it's 2009, who cares?" check.
While I agree it's comical to the point of stupid, trying to take gay men out of figure skating, some of the tinfoil hat theories seem kind of silly to me, too. Buttle wanted to go out on top. He won the worlds without the quad, and is taking the money and running. Mabee, just maybe,
really isn't motivated any more. If there's any truth to them being "forced" out of the sport, then I'd think there'd be a lot more press and maybe even litigation...with tons of drama queens on both sides of the argument looking to profit and get lots of the public spotlight off of it. And if it's true, I'd be ashamed of those gay athletes for not fighting it.
Needless to say, I'm having a hard time believing either of them...that they're really serious about trying to rid the sport of gay athletes, and all the conspiracy theories about athletes quitting because of it.
While I agree it's comical to the point of stupid, trying to take gay men out of figure skating, some of the tinfoil hat theories seem kind of silly to me, too. Buttle wanted to go out on top. He won the worlds without the quad, and is taking the money and running. Mabee, just maybe,
really isn't motivated any more. If there's any truth to them being "forced" out of the sport, then I'd think there'd be a lot more press and maybe even litigation...with tons of drama queens on both sides of the argument looking to profit and get lots of the public spotlight off of it. And if it's true, I'd be ashamed of those gay athletes for not fighting it.Needless to say, I'm having a hard time believing either of them...that they're really serious about trying to rid the sport of gay athletes, and all the conspiracy theories about athletes quitting because of it.
Are they actually trying to make the sport safe for straight guys maybe? Or at least that may be the thinking behind it.
Right now there is a tendency to assume that anyone who skates gracefully and/or with a flourish looks gay. But grace and creativity are what separate the equally skilled who are just good from those who are great. The best athletes make it look easy.
If straight guys were less paranoid about appearing gay they might be more inclined to compete in the sport.
Perhaps their push should not be to make skating "tough" but to make straight guys more tolerant and "tough" enough to be confident of their sexuality to compete in the sport: iunafraid to show the grace and flourish that it takes to impress the judges. Personally I think a computer could judge a competition that was dumbed down to cater to those afraid of grace. Then sports could be totally boring.
Right now there is a tendency to assume that anyone who skates gracefully and/or with a flourish looks gay. But grace and creativity are what separate the equally skilled who are just good from those who are great. The best athletes make it look easy.
If straight guys were less paranoid about appearing gay they might be more inclined to compete in the sport.
Perhaps their push should not be to make skating "tough" but to make straight guys more tolerant and "tough" enough to be confident of their sexuality to compete in the sport: iunafraid to show the grace and flourish that it takes to impress the judges. Personally I think a computer could judge a competition that was dumbed down to cater to those afraid of grace. Then sports could be totally boring.
Figure skating is important to Canadians. Witness the front page of today's Globe and Mail: Figure Skating Gets Tough
Comments on the article.
QUOTE
They always told me that I wasn't artistic enough," (Elvis) Stojko said from Mexico, where he's now coaching. "They always wanted a softer, more balletic style."
So pardon his scoff as he ponders a new, controversial Skate Canada marketing campaign aimed at highlighting the rough-and-tumble aspects of figure skating. The promotion, Skate Canada says, will attract new recruits to the sport by playing up "the danger, speed, risk and difficulty" it takes to be a professional skater.
* * *
For its part, Skate Canada says the campaign has nothing to do with masculinity, but rather with a wholesale rebranding of the sport's image.
Instead of featuring any one skater, the campaign will highlight the rigorous training and death-defying feats all skaters undertake on a regular basis.
"Gay or straight is irrelevant," marketing director Debbi Wilkes said. "Our competitors, gay or straight, have to be tough.
"We wanted to get away from the idea that the sport is kind of fluffy and genteel. We haven't bragged enough. While I love that humility, I think it's time we talked about the demanding nature of the sport."
So pardon his scoff as he ponders a new, controversial Skate Canada marketing campaign aimed at highlighting the rough-and-tumble aspects of figure skating. The promotion, Skate Canada says, will attract new recruits to the sport by playing up "the danger, speed, risk and difficulty" it takes to be a professional skater.
* * *
For its part, Skate Canada says the campaign has nothing to do with masculinity, but rather with a wholesale rebranding of the sport's image.
Instead of featuring any one skater, the campaign will highlight the rigorous training and death-defying feats all skaters undertake on a regular basis.
"Gay or straight is irrelevant," marketing director Debbi Wilkes said. "Our competitors, gay or straight, have to be tough.
"We wanted to get away from the idea that the sport is kind of fluffy and genteel. We haven't bragged enough. While I love that humility, I think it's time we talked about the demanding nature of the sport."
Comments on the article.
Skate Canada did the CBC clip on the 20th, yet it took until the 4th to come out with the Globe and Mail piece???? This is a spin piece, to counter accusations of homophobia, featuring a picture of the skater Vaughn Chipeur, who said in the Edmonton newspaper, that people should sponsor him, because he dates women.
If Skate Canada had a gay skater saying any of these "tough things" it might be credible, but Skate Canada has never had one single out competitive figure skater in it's entire history. Talk about gays to the back of the bus.
There is a long back history about Skate Canada and homophobia on Datalounge.com, if anybody wants the details.
If Skate Canada had a gay skater saying any of these "tough things" it might be credible, but Skate Canada has never had one single out competitive figure skater in it's entire history. Talk about gays to the back of the bus.
There is a long back history about Skate Canada and homophobia on Datalounge.com, if anybody wants the details.
I'm reminded of Elvis Stojko's appearance on The Simpsons...
Moe (talking to Patty and Selma): Don't you dumb dames know that all figure skaters are twinkly in the lutz?
Elvis Stojko: That is such a misconception. For your information, I have a girlfriend in Vancouver.
Moe: Fake girlfriend, fake city.
Moe (talking to Patty and Selma): Don't you dumb dames know that all figure skaters are twinkly in the lutz?
Elvis Stojko: That is such a misconception. For your information, I have a girlfriend in Vancouver.
Moe: Fake girlfriend, fake city.
QUOTE(sportinlife @ Feb 3 2009, 06:05 PM)
Are they actually trying to make the sport safe for straight guys maybe? Or at least that may be the thinking behind it.
In what way? That's like the old saying Paul Newman (I think) said regarding DADT AKA Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
Something like "You wouldn't dare call a bunch of guys faggots when they've got an M16 in their hands".
Personally I always thought figure skating attracted gay males.
Things aren't much better in the States.
Not so long, the skating establishment in the US gave financial support to a third ranked male skater in the nation, primarily because he was a married father (read STRAIGHT). The same skating cringed when skaters such as Rudy Galindo would be mentioned.
Not so long, the skating establishment in the US gave financial support to a third ranked male skater in the nation, primarily because he was a married father (read STRAIGHT). The same skating cringed when skaters such as Rudy Galindo would be mentioned.
It looks like Skate Canada is starting this all up again.......
Egale Canada, a gay-advocacy group, says it's been deluged with emails from angry members. In February, the group spoke with Skate Canada's Mr. Thompson to discuss the group's concern that the campaign could lead to stereotyping of young gays and lesbians.
Mr. Thompson says his organization's words have been skewed, and calls the criticism from the gay community "ironic" because ice skating is one sport "where you can be openly gay and successful." He says he isn't suggesting skaters need to adopt a tough-guy image, only that they spread the word about how physically demanding the sport is.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1238709382...icle-outset-box
Egale Canada, a gay-advocacy group, says it's been deluged with emails from angry members. In February, the group spoke with Skate Canada's Mr. Thompson to discuss the group's concern that the campaign could lead to stereotyping of young gays and lesbians.
Mr. Thompson says his organization's words have been skewed, and calls the criticism from the gay community "ironic" because ice skating is one sport "where you can be openly gay and successful." He says he isn't suggesting skaters need to adopt a tough-guy image, only that they spread the word about how physically demanding the sport is.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1238709382...icle-outset-box
Love the title of that article: Sequins? What Sequins? Canada's New Spin on Triple Loops
At the same time, Skate Canada is discouraging skaters from using too many sequins, feathers or anything else that dangles from their costumes. Adornments like that are "garish" and "distracting," says Skate Canada Chief Executive William Thompson, and belong "in an ice show, not a competition."
Re the quote: Mr. Thompson says his organization's words have been skewed, and calls the criticism from the gay community "ironic" because ice skating is one sport "where you can be openly gay and successful."
But who are the openly gay figure skaters?
At the same time, Skate Canada is discouraging skaters from using too many sequins, feathers or anything else that dangles from their costumes. Adornments like that are "garish" and "distracting," says Skate Canada Chief Executive William Thompson, and belong "in an ice show, not a competition."
Re the quote: Mr. Thompson says his organization's words have been skewed, and calls the criticism from the gay community "ironic" because ice skating is one sport "where you can be openly gay and successful."
But who are the openly gay figure skaters?
Why should figure skating be seen as tough? Why should tough be something to aspire to. I'd count myself in on the tough side of things, but if someone wants to create beauty and grace over toughness then why stop them?
Secondly, I will repeat what an earlier caller said - why are homosexuality and toughness incompatible?
Thirdly, why should people give a toss?
Secondly, I will repeat what an earlier caller said - why are homosexuality and toughness incompatible?
Thirdly, why should people give a toss?
There's an alarming decline in the number of male figure skaters in the sport here in Canada and I think part of it is the perception that if you're a figure skater, you must be gay.
I think what Skate Canada wants to do is showcase just how difficult it is to compete and how much strength, athleticism and skill is needed in order to succeed. Part of their strategy, it seems, is to get rid of some of the flashier aspects of it that maybe gives off that "feminine vibe" - not that there's anything wrong with it, but if it helps attract more athletes then why not.
It'll be interesting to see if this strategy leads to an increase in male figure skaters...
But who are the openly gay figure skaters?
That's a really good question... a damn good question. If they want to say that you can openly gay then they need to back that up with proof.
I think what Skate Canada wants to do is showcase just how difficult it is to compete and how much strength, athleticism and skill is needed in order to succeed. Part of their strategy, it seems, is to get rid of some of the flashier aspects of it that maybe gives off that "feminine vibe" - not that there's anything wrong with it, but if it helps attract more athletes then why not.
It'll be interesting to see if this strategy leads to an increase in male figure skaters...
QUOTE(canmark @ Apr 6 2009, 05:34 PM)
But who are the openly gay figure skaters?
That's a really good question... a damn good question. If they want to say that you can openly gay then they need to back that up with proof.
I found this HUGE thread on homophobia in figure skating on the Datalounge. It started as homophobia in Stars on Ice but then becomes homophobia in Skate Canada and how the entire sport is effected. It is a long read, but if you want the nitty grittys. Here they are!
Datalounge: Figure Skating Homophobia..Behind the Scenes
(P.S. this is a members only site when the volumes are high. You don't have to pay anything to read it, just wait 20 minutes, until the traffic slows and they open it up to everyone again)
Datalounge: Figure Skating Homophobia..Behind the Scenes
(P.S. this is a members only site when the volumes are high. You don't have to pay anything to read it, just wait 20 minutes, until the traffic slows and they open it up to everyone again)
It will be interesting to see how Battle of the Blade goes over--a reality series that CBC will supposedly air in the fall. It's a Dancing with the Stars-type show, but with figure skaters and hockey players doing the dancing... on ice.
QUOTE(DavidBC @ Apr 23 2009, 01:03 PM)
I found this HUGE thread on homophobia in figure skating on the Datalounge. It started as homophobia in Stars on Ice but then becomes homophobia in Skate Canada and how the entire sport is effected. It is a long read, but if you want the nitty grittys. Here they are!
Datalounge: Figure Skating Homophobia..Behind the Scenes
(P.S. this is a members only site when the volumes are high. You don't have to pay anything to read it, just wait 20 minutes, until the traffic slows and they open it up to everyone again)
That's quite a thread. I had never heard of DataLounge before.
If you haven't already, there is a must see clip of Johnny Weir in Korea skating to Lady GaGa. Come back Johnny, come back Johnny! We so need an anti-Evan - how sick am I of hearing the announcers declare that Evan is dating Tanith! Or that former champ Michael Weiss is married and has kids!
Just posted the Johnny Weir clip.
Blame Elvis….that is it? That is the best thing these tactical marketing geniuses of Canadian figure skating, can come up with? The world knows, thanks to Outsports, that Skate Canada has being trying to distance itself from anything gay, since February. (since they prohibited any of the skaters from participating in Orsers PrideRun in 2008 actually)
“Blame Elvis” won’t work.
“De-Gaying” figure skating won’t work
People are not as stupid as Skate Canada thinks they are.
“Blame Elvis” won’t work.
“De-Gaying” figure skating won’t work
People are not as stupid as Skate Canada thinks they are.
Apparently there has been a drop-off in participation levels among young males in figure skating across Canada. I think the 'toughening' up of the image was largely a response to that. Now starting tonight it goes to an entirely new level. Tonight CBC will present live coverage from historic Maple Leaf Gardens of Battle of the Blades. The show is being hyped BIG TIME up here.
It is the first night of a series that will see eight pairs battling against one another over the next several weeks in a contest along the lines of a So You Think You Can Dance contest.
The twist is who the participants are. The 8 pairs will be a female figure skater paired up with a former NHL Player - including a few hockey players with a real 'tough guy' image. The eight pairs will be:
1 - NHL Tough guy Claude Lemieux paired with Shae Lynn Bourne. http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair1.php
2 - Glenn Anderson and Isabel Brasseur - http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair2.php
3 - Stephane Richer with Marie-France Dubreuil - http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair3.php
4 - Ken Daneyko and Jodeyne Higgins - http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair4.php
5 - Unreal - Tie Domi with Christine Hough-Sweeney - http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair5.php
6 - Even more unreal - Bob Probert with Kristina Lenko - http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair6.php
7 - Craig Simpson with Olympic Gold medalist Jamie Sale - http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair7.php
8 - Ron Duguay with Barbara Underhill - http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair8.php
Ron McLean (Hockey Night In Canada host) will host the series with Kurt Browning. Judges include Sandra Bezic and Dick Button. This should be a hoot!
It is the first night of a series that will see eight pairs battling against one another over the next several weeks in a contest along the lines of a So You Think You Can Dance contest.
The twist is who the participants are. The 8 pairs will be a female figure skater paired up with a former NHL Player - including a few hockey players with a real 'tough guy' image. The eight pairs will be:
1 - NHL Tough guy Claude Lemieux paired with Shae Lynn Bourne. http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair1.php
2 - Glenn Anderson and Isabel Brasseur - http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair2.php
3 - Stephane Richer with Marie-France Dubreuil - http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair3.php
4 - Ken Daneyko and Jodeyne Higgins - http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair4.php
5 - Unreal - Tie Domi with Christine Hough-Sweeney - http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair5.php
6 - Even more unreal - Bob Probert with Kristina Lenko - http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair6.php
7 - Craig Simpson with Olympic Gold medalist Jamie Sale - http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair7.php
8 - Ron Duguay with Barbara Underhill - http://www.cbc.ca/battle/pair8.php
Ron McLean (Hockey Night In Canada host) will host the series with Kurt Browning. Judges include Sandra Bezic and Dick Button. This should be a hoot!
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.