Quebec sportscasters suggest Johnny Weir should undergo "gender testing"

[Bluebear]

The Canadian Press reports that the Quebec Council of Gays and Lesbians is going to make a complaint about French-language RDS, whose commentators Alain Goldberg and Claude Mailhot decided to go for the gold for trading in stale Johnny Weir jokes.

The pair called Weir "a bad example" and suggested he go through gender testing, like the runner Caster Semenya. After all, in no way is the latter a touchy subject.

RDS's apology addressed "tactless comments on the appearance and manner of a figure skater." The crux of the grievance, though, was the comparison to Semenya, the Canadian Press says:

"The mea culpas are insufficient," according to council president Steve Foster.

"They only apologized for the comments they made on his outfit," he said Saturday. "We hadn't even asked for an apology for those remarks. It's the rest of the comments: on his masculinity, his femininity, the fact he should skate as a woman."

Who knows what makes professional broadcasters think racial or sexual humor is acceptable? Being able to read off a teleprompter doesn't make you Russell Peters, pal. For the record, here is how the wire service reported it:

"This may not be politically correct," Mailhot said during the segment, in which Weir ... was shown sporting a semi-sheer, pink-and-black costume he designed himself.

"But do you think he lost points due to his costume and his body language?"

Goldberg replied that Weir's feminine style may reflect badly on other male figure skaters.

"They'll think all the boys who skate will end up like him," he said. "It sets a bad example."...

"We should make him (Weir) pass a gender test at this point," Goldberg said and Mailhot then jokingly suggested Weir should compete in the women's competition.

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/vancouver/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Canadian-commentators-fail-to-cool-it-with-Johnn?urn=oly,221050

http://olympics.thestar.com/2010/article/768943--tv-crew-upsets-gay-rights-group

[Withywindle]

1. RAGE!

"They'll think all the boys who skate will end up like him," he said. "It sets a bad example."

No, it sets a GOOD example. They should all have some of his expressiveness and humor and grace, IMO.

Oh no, oh no - male figure skaters might be swishy! Oh, the HORROR.

[polly7]

2. Goldberg and Mailhot need to lose their jobs.

I'm glad the Council is going after them. Horrible things to say.

[TheWatcher]

6. I certainly wouldn't claim I was having a bad day if they lost some teeth either.

[AnnieBW]

3. Yeah, but Evan Lycek won

and he's definitely a male-model type.

[undeterred]

4. Jerks.

[TheWatcher]

5. I'd say those two Bigots need to undergo testing to see if they are human.

I guess Canada has it's share of ignorant pieces of shit too.

I suppose if they think Johnny needs gender testing, they'd have an aneurysm if they ever met me. :rofl:

Then they would have to undergo tests themselves, so the doctor's could figure out the best way to remove an elegant four inch boot heel from their backsides.

They'd be billed for my footwear repairs too, of course. :)

The only "bad example" in this story is these two primates.

Maybe they should be investigated for fraud for impersonating a human being.

And maybe the rest of the world just needs to fucking GROW UP and enter the 21st Century.

[Amonester]

7. Alain Goldberg and Claude Mailhot are just two trou-du-cul.

And the same goes to the RDS cable corporation watched by almost 100% 'macho' bigots (against Gays).

[Bluebear]

10. Mais oui.

[mitchtv]

8. It brings to mind a thread last night

that was ridiculed and unrecc'd to oblivion, for even asking if phobia were involved in the judging.

[jberryhill]

9. I really like Johnny Weir

I think he's a great inspiration to kids everywhere in being who you are and making the most of the talent you have.

He puts his personality into what he does, and shines.

[DevonRex]

11. I can't stand anybody who talks badly about Johnny Weir. He's a study in bravery

and grace and athleticism. He's so fiercely independent that he sets the very BEST example for other skaters.