Johnny Weir: Gay V. Gender Bender

I just finished reading an article by Lisa Neff from 365gay.com on Johnny Weir's sexual orientation and gender. Neff had some interesting points and highlighted a predicament that I have come across over and over in the gay community. And that is coming out. It is necessary for the LGBTQ community to "come out" because of the heterosexist culture that assumes that every person is straight unless a coming out statement is made. I remember asking myself if I should even make such a statement? Gay and Lesbian atheletes are in a double bind.
Women athletes often have to fight the "dyke" persona regardless of their sexual identity. Many sports like soccer and basketball are physical contact sports, usually regarded as a masculine trait. Women are stripped of the usual identity markers, made to put on a uniform that is loose fitting, they must take off their gender accessories (earrings, jewelry), and their hair is put up in a pony tail. And then they must be aggressive, which just screams cave man. As a soccer player since preschool, and taking gender identity courses, I have reflected on the masculinization of women in sports. And how sexuality and gender identity are so closely intertwined in our society that women athletes are perceived as dyk-ish lesbians. But Neff brought to light the other side for me. The winter Olympics has been a great way to observe gender in the athletics. Johnny Weir has not spoken the words "I'm gay", but many sports commentators from around the world are saying that words aren't necessary when Weir is wearing pink frills. Every one has their panties in a knot over this. Neff says we should care, that "If we can’t get past the stereotypes in sports within our community, then we likely will never get past homophobia in sports." But it's more than just homophobia, it's the ideals of gender. I think many people have more of an issue with a man wearing pink (willingly...with frills) than a man loving another man. Gender has been ingrained in us for centuries. What happened to Joan of Arc? Oh yes. Burned. For dressing up as a man. We have some sort of inclusiveness of the gay and lesbian community in the media. We have made it to T.V. out and proud. But the gender benders, are still in the dark. When they do make the news everyone is in shock! They say things like 'I get that you were in the wrong body so you became a man, but why are you with men?' The lines of gender identity and sexual orientation are ill defined in our society and culture. Fluidity is something that is not emphasized enough. Hopefully there will be a day where the words: man, pink, frills, and ice skating will not immediately point to flamboyantly gay.