Difference between revisions of "LGBTQ Figure Skaters"
| (2 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 77: | Line 77: | ||
* [[Konstantin Yablotskiy]] | * [[Konstantin Yablotskiy]] | ||
| + | * [[Natalia Zabiiako]] | ||
'''Slovakia''' | '''Slovakia''' | ||
| Line 91: | Line 92: | ||
* [[Brian Boitano]] | * [[Brian Boitano]] | ||
* [[Jason Brown]] | * [[Jason Brown]] | ||
| + | * [[Wesley Campbell]] | ||
* [[Scott Dyer]] | * [[Scott Dyer]] | ||
* [[Matt Evers]] | * [[Matt Evers]] | ||
| Line 96: | Line 98: | ||
* [[Amber Glenn]] | * [[Amber Glenn]] | ||
* [[Timothy Goebel]] | * [[Timothy Goebel]] | ||
| + | * [[Colin Grafton]] | ||
* [[Ryan Hunka]] | * [[Ryan Hunka]] | ||
* [[Joseph Johnson]] | * [[Joseph Johnson]] | ||
Latest revision as of 19:16, 27 February 2024
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
Belgium
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
France
Great Britain
Italy
Japan
Mexico
The Philippines
Russia
Slovakia
Spain
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/
