View source for LGBTQ Figure Skaters

[[File:iceskates.jpg|200px|thumb|left]]

Figure skating is one of the most iconic of winter sports, as evidenced by its popularity as an Olympic competitive event.  There is an abundance of talented LGBTQ individuals in the sport, though the list of prominent individuals is entirely populated by gay men.  The list is long, but it is only recently that figure skaters have declared their sexual orientation while competing - most have waited until retirement and fought public recognition of their sexual identity.  Skaters still comment on the pressure to remain in the closet while competing and to avoid speaking out about LGBTQ rights, though it is also considered one of the gayest sports.  

Britain's gay [[Captain Robert Jones]] popularized the sport of figure skating back in 1772 with his highly popular book 'A Treatise on Skating'.  The book was reissued with engravings in 1775; a second edition printed in 1780 with a new song 'The Skater's March'; and many other editions printed including 1797, 1823, 1825, 1855, and more.  Skates manufactured to Jones' design could be obtained at Riccards Manufactory in London.

These individuals are almost entirely National Champions, and the bulk have competed in World Championships and Olympic Games.  A good proportion of them are indeed Olympic medalists and world champions.  Canadian [[Eric Radford]] was the first out gay man to win an Olympic gold medal when he did so recently at the 2018 South Korea games (Britain's [[John Curry]] won gold in 1976 before coming out publicly).  Slovakia's [[Ondrej Nepela]] was declared his country's athlete of the twentieth century.  Britain's gay [[Robin Cousins]] is the most decorated British ice skater.  

Several LGBTQ individuals are noted for their unique contributions to the sport.  American [[Timothy Goebel]] was the first skater to successfully land a quadruple salchow, and to land three quadruple jumps in competition.  Britain's [[John Curry]] is credited with being the first to impart a ballet-style of artistry into the competition. 

Regrettably, several LGBTQ figure skaters succumbed to AIDS, including [[John Curry]], [[Ondrej Nepela]], [[Brian Pockar]], [[Robert McCall]], [[Robert Wagenhoffer]], and [[Lars Dresler]]. 

Many of these individuals have progressed in their careers to become sports commentators, to coach in their home countries, or to tour with professional skating companies.  

The International Gay Figure Skating Union (IGFSU) was created as an interest group for the community.  It is particularly active with the organizing of the Gay Games.  

To read their fascinating biographies, simply click on their names. 

'''Australia'''

* [[Cameron Medhurst]]

'''Belgium'''

* [[Jorik Hendrickx]]

'''Canada'''

* [[Luc Bradet]]
* [[Jeffrey Buttle]]
* [[Toller Cranston]]
* [[Matthew Hall]]
* [[Jamie Hubley]]
* [[Lyndon Johnston]]
* [[Robert McCall]]
* [[David McGillivray]]
* [[Brian Orser]]
* [[Brian Pockar]]
* [[Eric Radford]]
* [[Emanuel Sandhu]]
* [[David Wilson]]

'''Denmark'''

* [[Lars Dresler]]

'''France'''

* [[Kevin Aymoz]]
* [[Axel Mederic]]

'''Great Britain'''

* [[John Curry]]
* [[Robin Cousins]]
* [[Lewis Gibson]]
* [[Captain Robert Jones]]

'''Italy'''

* [[Paul Bonifacio Parkinson]]

'''Japan'''

* [[Fumie Suguri]]

'''Mexico'''

* [[Jimena Almendares]]
* [[Rudy (Val Joe) Galindo]]

'''The Philippines'''

* [[Christopher Caluza]]

'''Russia'''

* [[Konstantin Yablotskiy]]
* [[Natalia Zabiiako]]

'''Slovakia'''

* [[Ondrej Nepela]]

'''Spain'''

* [[Luis Fenero]]
* [[Javier Raya]]

'''United States'''

* [[Brian Boitano]]
* [[Jason Brown]]
* [[Wesley Campbell]]
* [[Scott Dyer]]
* [[Matt Evers]]
* [[Randy Gardner]]
* [[Amber Glenn]]
* [[Timothy Goebel]]
* [[Colin Grafton]]
* [[Ryan Hunka]]
* [[Joseph Johnson]]
* [[Timothy LeDuc]]
* [[Mark Lund]]
* [[Karina Manta]]
* [[Ryan O'Meara]]
* [[Adam Rippon]]
* [[Ronald Robertson]]
* [[Matt Savoie]]
* [[Robert Wagenhoffer]]
* [[Tillie Walden]]
* [[Johnny Weir]]
* [[Russ Witherby]]

==See Also==

* [[LGBTQ Cyclists]]
* [[LGBTQ Tennis]]
* [[LGBTQ Sports Management]]
* [[LGBTQ Sports Referees and Umpires]]
* [[LGBTQ Professional and Amateur Sports Coaches]]
* [[LGBTQ Personal Trainers and Lifestyle Coaches]]
* [[Lesbian Football/Soccer Players]]
* [[The Community of LGBTQ Boxers]]
* [[Professional LGBTQ Mixed Martial Artists]]
* [[LGBTQ Presence in the Equestrian World]]
* [[The World of LGBTQ Golf]]
* [[World Sports Champions Who Identify as LGBTQ]]
* [[LGBTQ Athletes Who Have Won Olympic Gold]]
* [[LGBTQ Track & Field]]
* [[Lesbian Professional Basketball Players and Coaches]]

==Further Reading/Research==

* https://www.buzzfeed.com/blairbraverman/why-is-the-worlds-gayest-sport-stuck-in-the-closet?utm_term=.rmk7bEA6K#.jtW2Ndgzm
* http://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/17/sports/figure-skating-aids-deaths-tear-at-figure-skating-world.html
* https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/feb/17/adam-rippon-lgbt-figure-skaters-john-curry
* http://www.igfsu.org/

<html><br />
<a href="#" 
  onclick="
    window.open(
      'https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u='+encodeURIComponent(location.href), 
      'facebook-share-dialog', 
      'width=626,height=436'); 
    return false;">
  Share on Facebook
</a></html>