Johnny Weir not "Family Friendly?"

Johnny Weir represented the United States in the Vancouver Olympics last month, but that accomplishment is evidently not enough to earn him a spot on the Stars on Ice Tour. Nobody doubts the American figure skater's skill: in addition to competing at the Torino Olympics in 2006, he finished sixth at the 2010 Winter Olympics and is a three-time national champion.

Rather, it seems Weir may have been left off the team because he is "not family friendly."

As GLAAD notes, such a claim "would be a clear jab at his perceived sexual orientation." The blog post continues, "Weir is extremely involved with his family. He is putting his younger brother through college, and supports the family financially because his father's disability prohibits him from working. Weir's dedication to his family can be clearly documented in the Sundance series, Be Good Johnny Weir, which follows him and his family and friends through his life and career as a championship skater.

Green Man: It's not like Weir is going out on the ice and exposing himself. How is he not family friendly? Because he's different than the cookie cutter image of our immature world dripping with stereotypes? Oh the horror that we show kids that creativity is good and to be encouraged!! How dare we encourage them to make the world a little brighter!! How dare he be so "flamboyant!!" Dear GOD!! He'll show young boys that you can be a man and still have a sensitive, passionate and creative side. We are in a very drab gray world and any bit of flair and passion that we show should be celebrated for what it is--a gift.

He's empowering a lot of young people to explore who they are, express themselves and bring something to add to the kaleidoscope that is humanity. He is inspiring them and all of us to just be who we are inside--screw the labels--just be, and enjoy the show. How is all that not a good example and not family friendly? We need a lot more kids to be as self-confident, passionate about life, (whatever their path in life) open minded and sharing some joy with the world. I would bet that it would be a much nicer and friendly world.

And as much as I want to give into anger about this blatant discrimination and idiocy, I take pride in knowing that those kids who watch him will be much more tolerant than their parents. Each generation gets a little bit better and better about accepting everyone for who they are and not for who we want them to be.

~The Green Man has Spoken~