Three-time U.S. National Figure Skating
champion John G. “Johnny” Weir says he's gay in this week's issue
of People magazine.
The Skating with the Stars celebrity
judge is talking just five days before his memoir Welcome to my
World is set to hit bookstores. His
first book signing is scheduled for January 11 at the Columbus Circle
Borders Books in Manhattan at 7PM.
“With people killing themselves and
being scared into the closet, I hope that even just one person can
gain strength from my story,” Weir says in the article.
Weir also talks about a romantic affair
with a male skater referred to only as “Alex.” In previous
interviews, Weir had described his single long-term relationship as a
“miserable failure.”
Weir goes on to defiantly chide the gay
media for pressuring him into coming out.
“A lot of the gays got downright
angry about my silence [on being gay]. But pressure is the last
thing that would make me want to 'join' a community.”
And he adds that he's proud to be
Johnny Weir: “I'm not ashamed to be me. More than anyone else I
know, I love my life and accept myself. What's wrong with being
unique? I am proud of everything that I am and will become.”