Figure skater Johnny Weir has literally been skating around the question of his sexuality for years, but he has finally come out in his new memoir, Welcome to My World.
He’s been leaking sections of the book, giving us a sneak peek into his how he felt about coming out:
“With people killing themselves and being scared into the closet, I hope that even just one person can gain strength from my story.”
Weir also discussed the difficulty of dealing with the pressure he felt from gay media and friends to come out.
“A lot of the gays got downright angry about my silence. But pressure is the last thing that would make me want to ‘join’ a community.”
But Weir is certainly proud to be out now that he has taken the plunge:
“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.”
It takes such courage to be a public figure and come out! Better late than never!!
[Image via PNP/WENN.com.]