Figure skater Brian Boitano comes out

[Redfairen]

Brian Boitano, the 1988 Olympic figure skating gold medalist who was named to the official U.S. delegation to the 2014 Sochi Olympics, announced today that he is gay.

"I am many things: a son, a brother, and uncle, a friend, an athlete, a cook, an author, and being gay is just one part of who I am," Boitano said in a statement.

"First and foremost I am an American athlete and I am proud to live in a country that encourages diversity, openness and tolerance. As an athlete, I hope we can remain focused on the Olympic spirit which celebrates achievement in sport by peoples of all nations."

Boitano's announcement comes two days after he was named by President Obama to the opening ceremony delegation that also includes Billie Jean King, the tennis legend who is openly gay. Boitano, 50, declined to discuss his sexuality in an interview for the book Inside Edge in 1995.


http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/sochi/2013/12/19/brian-boitano-announces-he-is-gay-sochi-delegation/4125427/

[1000words]

1. He wasn't already?

[HappyMe]

2. I hope they are safe in Sochi.

I'm kind of worried.

I thought Boitano was already out.

[Arkansas Granny]

3. I'm not surprised by this news, mainly because I thought he had already come out.

[CherokeeDem]

4. Uh...

I really like Brian Boitano, thoroughly enjoyed his skating, but I think most of us figured this out!

Bless him and bless President Obama for his selection of people to represent the US at the Olympic opening ceremony. While there is a political message here, it is the right step so that members of the LGBT community can be recognized for their abilities and contributions not their orientation, which shouldn't matter.

High time.

[PoliticalPothead]

5. Now I have this song stuck in my head.

[Aerows]

7. First thing that popped into my head when I read the article

and it's freaking stuck in there.

[frylock]

6. WWBBD?

[blogslut]

8. Good