Melting Ice

This article at People.com draws our attention to some disparaging comments about uber-fab skater Johnny Weir made by some pseudo-French broadcasters:

Last week, broadcasters Claude Mailhot and Alain Goldberg of RDS, a French-language sports channel in Quebec, mused on air if Weir was unfavorably judged during one of his typically flamboyant routines because he wore a semi-see-through pink and black outfit. 

Okay, we have two French-speaking broadcasters, named Claude and Alain, covering men's figure skating.  So far things seem pretty standard.  But then they stray from the program after Johnny comes out with an outfit deemed a little two feminine by these two.

Looks like somebody gave them some bad info on the scoring categories, because they're obviously under the assumption that the judges score the effectiveness of the skater's apparel to, as they say, "pull the wool."

They didn't draw the same conclusion on the other competitors, so apparently, in their opinion, the other skater's costumes were up to heterosexual par.  Yes, because nothing says testosterone like lace, fringe, and sequins - as long as they are dark manly colors and not the least bit see-through.
    
Alain then dropped this golden muse:

. . . Weir's mannerisms might hurt other men competing in the sport. "They'll think all the boys who skate will end up like him," he said. "It sets a bad example." 

Yes, of course.  We wouldn't want any of our future playboys - who just happen to have an affinity for fabulous designs and dignified grace - off put by someone with similar tastes.  God forbid the boys with adequate levels of manliness - as decided by Claude and Alain - are pushed to something undignified like hockey.

The two then go on to suggest Johnny Weir be subject to a gender test.  I think somebody needs to "come out" of the broadcaster's booth.  They're clearly trying to deflect their insecurities about their own sexuality.

Mr. Weir responds:

"It wasn't these two men criticizing my skating, it was them criticizing me as a person, and that was something that really, frankly, pissed me off," Weir told reporters. "Nobody knows me. … I think masculinity is what you believe it to be."

Whoa there Johnny, let's not go overboard.  There is a definition to masculinity and your routine ain't it.  You're still a man, just not a masculine man.  But who cares?  Be your magnificent, 3-time U.S. Champion self and do what you do best.  Show the world what it means to melt the ice.