Interview: Eric Radford and Hometown Pride

[Haleth]

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/figureskating/eric-radford-hometown-pride-1.4716369?__twitter_impression=true

There were so many times during Eric Radford's childhood in the small northern Ontario community of Balmertown when he considered quitting figure skating. It wasn't the kind of sport a boy should be involved in — at least that's what he was told.

"The fact that I skated was a reason I got bullied, but at the same time it was something I loved to do so much. It was an escape," says Radford, now 33. "For me it was a safe space.
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Words can't express how proud I am of Eric to persevere and succeed in the face of homophobic bullying, which sadly is still all too common in sports (yes, even in Canada). So glad he is being such a fantastic role model to younger skaters and athletes in any sport, especially to LGBTQIAP2S+ youth.

ETA: I saw this on Twitter first and came here to post it, but credit definitely goes to Osmand4Gold for posting the link earlier on GS in the discussion of the 2018-2019 Canadian season and Evgenia's move to Toronto. Please visit those threads and give them a thumbs up and add to the positive discussion there!

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

So glad he is being such a fantastic role model to younger skaters and athletes in any sport, especially to LGBTQIAP2S+ youth.

I haven't see this particular acronym before. Do you mind sharing what it includes beyond lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgener (LGBT)?

 

[el henry]

I haven't see this particular acronym before. Do you mind sharing what it includes beyond lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgener (LGBT)?

I have never seen all these letters in one place before, but q is queer, i is intersex, a is asexual. Some folks use p for pansexual and I have no idea about 2s+ (I’m sorry this is a skating board and I keep seeing “double salchow”

Luckily I am old and after LBGT I forget the rest, so only short acronyms for me

 

[ladyjane]

Hurrah for Eric. Lovely interview.

 

[Haleth]

I haven't see this particular acronym before. Do you mind sharing what it includes beyond lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgener (LGBT)?

Queer, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic, Pansexual, Two-Spirit. The "+" is often used as shorthand that there are more labels out there.

More information:

Two Spirit: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/two-spirit/

Pansexual: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/sex-sexuality-and-romance/201711/what-everyone-should-know-about-pansexuality

Asexuality: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/sex-sexuality-and-romance/201702/asexuality-brief-primer

Intersex: http://www.isna.org/faq/what_is_intersex

Queer: https://everydayfeminism.com/2016/03/difference-between-gay-queer/


I'd say most people shorten it to LGBTQ+ because "queer" is a popular umbrella term (though not universal by by means) and one I'd personally use when I don't want to get into discussing exactly where I fall under that umbrella. But it is good to note that the community should be diverse and welcoming and so I often use this longer version.

 

[mrrice]

I have been out since 10th grade and even after turning 50, I can't keep up with these new acronyms. I'm just gay and proud. I love that Eric shares his story and along Adam, skating is really out!! I think we all knew that there were gay skaters but no one talked about it the way we are now. Bravo to Eric and Adam for taking the opportunity to speak about this subject publicly.

 

[Haleth]

As an addendum, please check out Eric's new Instagram video for Pride and Olympic Day! https://www.instagram.com/p/BkYCmk_BGbr/?taken-by=ericradford85

I know it's meant to be a little spicy, but mostly I felt moved he felt safe enough to beautifully celebrate himself as a gay skater and Olympian!

Note: afaik this isn't posted elsewhere on GS (I checked the FF and Canadian season threads), but let me know if I've missed a post somewhere