Hand-holding policy throws gay skaters for a loop

[kweerwolf]

Two gay figure skaters have sued Berkeley Iceland because a manager twice in the last year ordered the pair to stop skating hand-in-hand, according to a lawsuit filed in Alameda County Superior Court last month.

Alan Lessik and John Manzon-Santos - who say they are skating partners but not involved romantically - filed the suit against the ice rink and general manager Monte Tiedemann. They claim Tiedemann engaged in ``unlawful and discriminatory business practices by denying (them) their right as two men to skate as a pair.''

``We were publicly humiliated by having this happen to us and we feel absolutely clear that Monte has a problem with gay skaters,'' said Lessik, a San Francisco resident.

But rink management claims that isn't the case and the skaters were asked not to hold hands because of safety concerns. ``There is no homophobia going on at Berkeley Iceland or East Bay Iceland. It's even a little bit insulting because we've had people of various sexual orientations who have worked for us, coached for us and skated for us,'' said East Bay Iceland general manager Jay Wescott.

http://www.chicoer.com/news/bayarea/ci_3786551

Oh puh-leeeeeeze! Like anyone's ever heard of gay skaters! :sarcasm:

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

1. Gay figure skaters?

I'm appalled. Why hasn't there been an Olympic boycott?!?!?!

:sarcasm:

[Kerrytravelers]

4. Shhhhhh!

Don't give them any more ideas! :yoiks:

[flamingyouth]

2. Yes, because hand-holdiing while ice skating is very dangerous

It can lead to far more sinister things like demure glances or even (gasp) pecks on the cheek.
What is this, freaking 1890? :wtf:

[bumblebee1]

3. Gay men in figure skating?

Who would have thought about that?