Manta & Johnson = Figure skating's First complete LGBT team?

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

When I watched Manta & Johnson's free dance from Skate America, I enjoyed how much the audience was into their performance.

Their innovative routine had such a funky European nightclub vibe, I loved the creativity.

They really are the Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart of ice skating!

 

[Sylvia]

Karina posted this photo/heartfelt message after Skate America: https://www.instagram.com/p/BpOYEAMFJtk/?hl=en&taken-by=karinamanta

My heart is so full today. Joe and I didn’t have the best scores we’ve ever received, but oh my gosh, I couldn’t be leaving this event feeling more proud of what we’ve accomplished.
I didn’t start ice dancing until I was 16, and I was nearly 17 by the time I first got a partner—late to begin a career in this sport by any means. I spent years growing up just watching Skate America as a fan. But, in the last few years, I’ve seen skaters that I only ever thought I would see on TV become my competitors and my friends, and I’ve been given the opportunity to compete on this stage that seemed like only a dream for so long... And this weekend, I was able to take the ice completely as myself. Short hair. Bright lipstick. A body that I (mistakenly) never thought looked like what I believed ice dancers could look like. I think this sport is making space for new approaches, new forms of art, new types of people. I like to think Joe and I are both trying to keep widening the space in our own ways, alongside so many teams who are pushing our art form in a hundred beautiful ways. It’s an exciting thing to feel a part of.
The space here in Washington this week was incredible. This event gave me memories that I know I will hold onto for the rest of my life. A huge thank you for everyone who was a part of it.

Joe posted this photo & thank you message after Skate America: https://www.instagram.com/p/BpSL-NYn39_/?hl=en&taken-by=joejohnsonice

This was so special. There aren’t words that can capture the gratitude I’m feeling for this whole experience, and for all the things that had to go right to get us here. Being at our first Grand Prix, being ourselves, happy, proud. So I’ll just say thank you, and that was fun. I’ll never forget it.

Joe also posted this throwback photo & touching message on National Coming Out Day (Oct. 11): https://www.instagram.com/p/Boz6J0qHhDr/?hl=en&taken-by=joejohnsonice

Dear little me,
Someday, you’re gonna be older. Not much taller, but older. And it’s hard to believe that despite those thrift store pants you’re rocking and those two beautiful teeth you’re smiling with, you’re not gonna like yourself for a few years. You’ll wonder why you’re so different, and why something inside you is broken. But that’ll pass. You’re gonna surround yourself with people that make you feel good. You’ll grow to accept, and love, those things you used to not like very much. So keep after it. Listen to whatever the hell you want, and binge watch Naruto with a tub of tollhouse cookie dough when you’re sad. You deserve it. And someday, you’re gonna be yourself, and it’s gonna feel really, really good. I love you, little guy.

to both Karina and Joe!

 

[overedge]

I think I'm almost as impressed by Karina not starting ice dance until she was 16 as by her coming out

 

[Tinami Amori]

It's easy to say that sexuality should be private, but what does that mean? Should straight skaters never post about their personal lives, never mention their significant others? Every time a male skater posts a picture of his girlfriend or a female skater offhandedly mentions her boyfriend in an interview, they're referencing their sexuality. Is Keegan Messing an oversharer for posting about his recent engagement? Karina Manta came out in part because she didn't want to hide the woman she loves from the world anymore.

I think that it is a lot "cooler" and shows more confidence in one's life choices and confirmation of one's right to be in a consenting adult relationship with any sex/gender, is when a person "does not complain and does not explain" and just starts posting fotos of his/her relationship, and shows up at parties and events with one's partner, wearing whatever one wants to regardless of gender associations. Like Johnny Weir did and does... People don't have a right to dictate who an adult sleeps/lives with... So WHY?? give them an explanation and bother with any announcements... Just be yourself.

And by the way, Johnny Weir skates with male partners in several shows, even in China... He just comes out and skates with a man... and does not make huge announcements "Attention! Same Sex Skating"... he feels he has a right to, and just DOES IT!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYmvDS72zvQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8P-XpohHUU

and his girl's dress also does not need announcements, he just puts it on..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8cnP5WCH6s

 

[VGThuy]

If people didn't make bold statements, the gay rights movement wouldn't have happened. That is not to say everyone has to do it, but I don't think it's right to compare how people choose to express their orientation especially considering how politically oppressed LGBTQ folks have been. It's brave to come out and make a statement no matter how one does it and will encourage others to do the same and to be visible.

 

[Foolhardy Ham Lint]

I think I'm almost as impressed by Karina not starting ice dance until she was 16 as by her coming out

Crazy, right! What a talent.

 

[quartz]

They could very soon be my favorite US dance team, (awaiting to see how Hawayek and Baker are this season)

 

[Tinami Amori]

If people didn't make bold statements, the gay rights movement wouldn't have happened. That is not to say everyone has to do it, but I don't think it's right to compare how people choose to express their orientation especially considering how politically oppressed LGBTQ folks have been. It's brave to come out and make a statement no matter how one does it and will encourage others to do the same and to be visible.

Two different issues... Legal rights is one thing, and Social statements AFTER the legal rights have been obtained is another.. Once there are legal rights one does not need to seek "the love of society" but just openly practice one's rights without announcements and trying to get people to like them... Manta should just post the fotos with her girlfriend and NOT have to explain, it's her right, and nobody can kick her out of skating or affect her legally.

Here.. I'll do it for her... two adult people in love don't owe explanations to society..
https://www.instagram.com/p/Boz2d_vFCTb/

 

[VGThuy]

There are still no explicit federal level protections for LGBTQ folks in terms of employment, housing, and many other things that straight people don't have to worry about. There’s more to LGBTQ rights than marriage. And they are still under attack by many powerful folks, many of them in the government and many legitimized by religious institutions that have a strong hold in the U.S. They are still dehumanized and then demonized by many, including but not limited to the way trans folks are described in basic access to bathroom issues...the narrative of which is not unlike the way gay men were described when the conversation was about them joining the military openly and the danger of them sexually assaulting servicemen, etc. Not to mention LGBTQ youth, especially trans folks, have the highest rate of being victims of community bullying and suicide and self-harm. So yes it is still important for them to have heroes who speak out and be loud about it to show they will not be silenced for existing.

 

[MIsty Blades/Skate Mom]

Come on ISU, the world is waiting for same sex pairs skating!

 

[laviemn]

? In a recent you know where interview perhaps? Some people no longer routinely watch TSL and thus would not have heard this reference. In what context was it made? Why can't Avonley and Vadym simply be allowed to grow as themselves without such labels!? They are such an attractive and powerful ice dance team, but they are still young and are still developing. I'm reacting because I've seen jealous comments about them in the U.S. ice dance thread. Let these two young skaters grow at their own pace and stop labeling them in any way, shape or form!

Sorry I'm replying so late, I've been offline. Doug Haw made the Ken & Barbie comments while explaining why he thinks Tuktemysheva would improve her PCS by losing weight. It starts at about 22:00 here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON0WT_5WPaM

 

[Japanfan]

Doug Haw made the Ken & Barbie comments while explaining why he thinks Tuktemysheva would improve her PCS by losing weight. It starts at about 22:00 here:

"Lose eight to ten pounds"
Seriously? Tuk Tuk is just fine as she is, IMO.

"Trained like a boy, no style or grace"

The most obvious thing wrong with this statement is that plenty of male skaters do have style and grace. And Tuk Tuk too has style and grace! Particularly style IMO - Tuk Tuk has a very commanding presence on the ice.

It is okay for a female skater to be powerful and athletic - and powerful and athletic does not necessarily = lacking in grace.

 

[Sylvia]

Karina Manta is Team USA's First Out Female Figure Skater (November 9): https://www.advocate.com/sports/2018/11/09/karina-manta-team-usas-first-out-female-figure-skater
Excerpts:

"It was sort of isolating, because there aren't really many other women, especially on a big stage, who are out," Manta says. "It was a little bit lonely, feeling like the only one who was experiencing the things that I was."
...
She tells The Advocate that while Gomez never pushed her to come out before she was ready, the secrecy was hard on both of them. "She wanted to be supportive of me and wanted to see me skate. That's what I'm doing with most of my time, and I was kind of keeping that world from her, because I was afraid about people's reactions."

Johnson tells The Advocate that both of them being out allowed them to enjoy the moment in a way they hadn't before. "The less you have that you're keeping on the inside, the less you feel like you have to pretend to be someone else, the more fun you have. Being out there, having nothing to hide, being as close as we were going through that experience, it definitely had an effect. It [Skate America] felt different from previous competitions ... it was this really huge moment in both of our lives. To accomplish something like that, being ourselves while being there on that stage, was incredible."
Manta adds, "It was nice to be on this stage knowing that there might be younger skaters, younger girls watching, and seeing that maybe they don't have to fit certain stereotypes [with me] being there with my hair all short and my girlfriend in the audience."

 

[Kateri]

Somewhat related: did you know that Fumie Suguri came out as bi in 2014? I didn't, and I was her biggest fan, back in the day!