Nathan Chen issues apology for interview

[anonymoose_au]

It would also be nice if certain posters here could be as classy as Nathan, and kindly stopped dragging their beefs with 'certain other skater's fanbase' into this totally unrelated thread. It's tiresome.

In their defence I first heard about the drama from a another site post that linked to a Tweet.

Said Tweet was clearly from a Yuzuru fan who promptly declared "Nathan Chen is a homophobe" and replies from fellow Yuzuru fans poured in full of vitriol against Nathan with absolutely no attempt at nuance.

Maybe if these fan groups don't want to be "dragged" they could consider all the options before declaring someone a complete waste of a human being.

 

[larat]

Classy, sure. I still stand by my opinion that he did absolutely nothing wrong. People don't want to acknowledge it, but the view that figure skating is wimpy and feminine exists. I was happy he openly addressed that and I don't think he should have to apologize for pointing out that figure skating isn't inherently feminine. It has a place for everyone, even for those who aren't feminine. I'm sure the haters will continue to hate either way.

I wish he did not apologize and owned what he said- there was nothing wrong with it.

 

[Flying Feijoa]

I admit seeing hot takes on Twitter is upsetting. After Jason came out, I had to stop reading some of the takes. And it is part of our world now.

But fans are more upset (as they should be) than others. Tagging sponsors, Yale, every paper in the US of A, the ISU, the Olympics and my great aunt Hilda is not going to affect Nathan's relationships with any of those entities. Because they know what social media is like too (well, maybe not my great aunt Hilda)

I agree that mainstream media outlets and establishments are rational enough not to heed the more extreme Twitter posters (by which I mean the ones who are still slamming Nathan as a bigot even after his thoughtful apology).

However, it's important not to trivialise the psychological impact of these 'hot takes'. We're lucky that Jason, Nathan, Mariah and many other skaters are strong enough to weather the storm. Yes, it may turn out later to be a storm in a teacup, but that doesn't mean it's not painful at the time. We can't take it for granted that every individual has the wherewithal to endure, especially when we know of many skaters with mental health issues, and how public pressure can exacerbate it. The solution isn't as simple as just going off social media, because as you say, it's part of our world, and for public personae like skaters, increasingly integrated into their passions and livelihoods. For instance, if vlogger-skaters like the Shibsibs or Roman Sadovsky were ever the target of online condemnation (knock on wood), asking them to bunker down away from Youtube or Instagram is easier said than done.

Pardon the slight tangent!

 

[LiamForeman]

I wish he did not apologize and owned what he said- there was nothing wrong with it.

I agree. I'm gay, and saw the clip, and I just thought he was like "jeez, THIS question again? The skating is gay question?" I didn't see anything offensive in his remarks. I can usually tell if someone is being homophobic. If Yagudin said something homophobic, I'd notice, for example. Nathan Chen? I respect him too much to think that of him. It makes me wonder what other gay people felt about his response? I love my GLBT allies, but sometimes I see them overreacting out of protection for GLBT, and it's sweet. But sometimes it's not needed. IMO. Nathan from what I can see is an amazing person, and skating is just one of his gifts. I'm a fan.

 

[el henry]

I wish he did not apologize and owned what he said- there was nothing wrong with it.

But isn't the point that it doesn't matter whether you or I saw something wrong with the original interview?

Nathan is a grown man making his own decisions. Nathan saw something wrong with it. Nathan decided to apologize. I don't see where it is up to us to second guess Nathan's decisions in this matter.

ETA: Having seen the video, it certainly did not come across to me as a "Hostage video" or forced or anything except sincerely felt. I was impressed.

 

[surimi]

In their defence I first heard about the drama from a another site post that linked to a Tweet.

Said Tweet was clearly from a Yuzuru fan who promptly declared "Nathan Chen is a homophobe" and replies from fellow Yuzuru fans poured in full of vitriol against Nathan with absolutely no attempt at nuance.

Maybe if these fan groups don't want to be "dragged" they could consider all the options before declaring someone a complete waste of a human being.

Again, no. There is no excuse for repeatedly generalizing and shaming an entire fan base because of wackos, no matter how numerous they are. If a fanbase is big, there will logically be more loud crazies in it. As simple as that. That still doesn't mean *they* are the entire fanbase, and that it is in any way okay to suggest that the fanbase deserved being attacked, like you are just doing.

 

[Sharon Whitlock]

I don't believe there are that many figure skating fans left, at least in the U.S.

Figure skating used to be one of the Top Three most-viewed (on TV) sports, along with football and baseball. Not any more.

Of course back in the 1990s, we still only had 3 television channels. I think cable was around, but most people didn't have it. So they watched whatever was on, and usually on weekends, one channel was airing outdoor fishing shows, another channel was airing an infomercial of a Ronco product, and the 3rd channel had figure skating--and during the cold, dark, icky winters, most people chose figure skating!

Social media didn't exist, so we knew little about the personal lives of figure skaters unless they happened to be members of our local figure skating club. Print media would publish interviews, but there was plenty of time for editors to whitewash the interviews and edit anything controversial before the public was able to read the interviews. So most skaters came across as pretty bland, and their personal lives were almost entirely private.

When my late husband and I were newlyweds during the 1980 Olympics, almost everyone we knew, at work, at church, in our apartment complex, the people working in the grocery stores and restaurants, the car repair guys, our doctors, our families--EVERYONE was watching Tai and Randy, and of course in my hometown, EVERYONE was watching Sandi Lenz! The local newspapers and television news casts were filled with stories about figure skating and the skaters at Lake Placid, and most people, men and women and kids, were talking about their favorite figure skaters in the competition!

Now..even when several people from our local figure skating club are World champions and Olympic hopefuls (2022)--no one is watching! I'm usually the one who contacts our local television and radio stations and lets them know that a certain skater(s) are from our city and will be competing in "whatever" competition. And even then, they often just put a short sentence or two at the end of the sportscast!

Those of us who love and follow the sport have to recognize that at this time in history, the draw power of the sport of figure skating is very very small. So sad.

I don't participate in any social media other than a few online forums. They take up too much time and are too volatile and often too negative. I don't need that. The death of my beloved husband is too much negativity for me. If I were bedridden permanently, I might get involved with more social media, but I want to live whatever life I have left in a real world, not an online world, and I prefer to be around positive people in real-life settings where I can read their expressions and take care to speak in a positive way that builds up my fellow humans rather than cutting them down.

As for the sport, at this time, I prefer to watch my favorite local club skaters landing their double jumps (and even their single jumps) in nearby competitions that I can attend in person.

And I will willingly drive or fly to the synchronized competitions, especially the Sectionals, Nationals, and Worlds. It's fascinating to me how coaches can get 16 skaters from different families, religions, races, sexual orientations, educational levels, and backgrounds to work together to skate superlative programs. It's a good lesson for all or us--when we work together, we can do good things.

 

[noskates]

Figure skating might have been in the top three viewed sports, but that was because there was something to see. For whatever reason the networks have moved away from figure skating. The how and the why is open to much speculation.

Here's my take on Nathangate! These skaters are not given a course in how to act when a microphone is shoved in their face or they're being interviewed. They have to live and learn how to act and what to say and what not to say and to be able to answer questons "on the fly!" From all accounts, Nathan is a very nice young man, supportive of other skaters, and my guess would be embarassed at what he said. His apology was straightforward and from the heart. Social media can be a blight and the people who use it to be confrontive and nasty and derogatory and judgemental, while being virtually anonymous, are the problem. A BIG problem.

 

[TontoK]

Honestly, is this still going on?

Anyone who believes Nathan Chen is a homophobe is an unserious person, not worthy of engaging in public discourse.

These outlandish comments are meant to generate false outrage and earn "likes" and acclaim from other unserious people.

Not everyone deserves to be taken seriously.

 

[el henry]

Honestly, is this still going on?

Anyone who believes Nathan Chen is a homophobe is an unserious person, not worthy of engaging in public discourse.

These outlandish comments are meant to generate false outrage and earn "likes" and acclaim from other unserious people.

Not everyone deserves to be taken seriously.

I agree, anyone on social media who is still going on about how the apology is not enough or how Nathan is a homophobe, or even more ... well, very disappointing

Of course, someone can use language that hurts regardless of their intent. Nathan realized that. Anyone who takes issue with the apology itself takes issue with Nathan. I don't understand why anyone would want to do that either

 

[TontoK]

I agree, anyone on social media who is still going on about how the apology is not enough or how Nathan is a homophobe, or even more ... well, very disappointing

Of course, someone can use language that hurts regardless of their intent. Nathan realized that. Anyone who takes issue with the apology itself takes issue with Nathan. I don't understand why anyone would want to do that either

Exactly. Frankly, I don't even buy the "hurt" argument.

The VERY WORST that can be said is that a person I don't know at all, will probably never know, will probably never even meet... a person who has no bearing whatsoever in my daily life... answered an interview question clumsily, but without ill intent. And he even apologized publicly for it.

It has everything to do with stirring up drama, and nothing to do with being hurt. Accommodating these people by giving them a "hurt feelings free pass" to spout nonsense is unhelpful. Better to ostracize them and quietly pity the folks they infuence.

 

[sailormoon]

The hockey question was provocative or insulting to Asian male skaters, which is why Chen brought up the fact that he is a heterosexual skater in an angry manner. TSL should have never asked the insensitive question as we all know that he is a former gymnast who makes full use of his gymnastic skills for figure skating. Playing ice hockey is not a very attractive option for Japanese or Taiwanese athletes because they can never beat big Russian hockey players, while they can be dominant in gymnastics or figure skating.

 

[Mathman]

This is a big "ho hum" to me. Gay men are well represented in the sport of figure skating. (At the risk of stereotyping, I would say that they are well represented in many artistic endeavors.) As for the "apology," Nathan didn't want to hurtg anyone's feelings. That's about it,

 

[el henry]

This is a big "ho hum" to me. Gay men are well represented in the sport of figure skating. (At the risk of stereotyping, I would say that they are well represented in many artistic endeavors.) As for the "apology," Nathan didn't want to hurtg anyone's feelings. That's about it,

I need to disagree with "gay men are well represented in the sport of figure skating"

As far as I know, there are two (count them, two) out figure skaters in men's figure skating. Now, there may be ones I don't know, but it's hardly a majority or even a significant minority. Presuming doesn't count. "Everyone knows" doesn't count.

There have been *no* US champs who were out while they were competing. (As I recall, Rudy was "outed", but of course that was close to 30 years ago. Since then, none).

I do not think Nathan "didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings", but far more importantly, recognized that he did hurt some people's feelings, people without an anti-Nathan agenda, he took responsibility and he apologized. Not some half baked oooh, I'm sorry if you took it the wrong way, but a real apology.

I know I keep stressing it, but I'm so impressed by it (since so many people do the half baked one), that I want Nathan to get full credit.

 

[el henry]

Exactly. Frankly, I don't even buy the "hurt" argument.

The VERY WORST that can be said is that a person I don't know at all, will probably never know, will probably never even meet... a person who has no bearing whatsoever in my daily life... answered an interview question clumsily, but without ill intent. And he even apologized publicly for it.

It has everything to do with stirring up drama, and nothing to do with being hurt. Accommodating these people by giving them a "hurt feelings free pass" to spout nonsense is unhelpful. Better to ostracize them and quietly pity the folks they infuence.

I disagree my friend if you are saying that people were not honestly hurt by the original interview answers.

I don't want to drag other social media into here, but people were honestly, genuinely hurt. I, for one, can absolutely be hurt by the words of someone I have never met.(not talking about Nathan) So that is not some excuse by weaklings who are looking to start an argument. ( I suppose I could be a weakling. but not because of that ).

Nathan recognized the genuine hurt and Nathan apologized. Anyone stirring up drama after that, I do not understand


ETA: sorry for the dreaded double post. I didn't see soon enough to multi quote.

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

I need to disagree with "gay men are well represented in the sport of figure skating"

As far as I know, there are two (count them, two) out figure skaters in men's figure skating. Now, there may be ones I don't know, but it's hardly a majority or even a significant minority. Presuming doesn't count. "Everyone knows" doesn't count.

There have been *no* US champs who were out while they were competing. (As I recall, Rudy was "outed", but of course that was close to 30 years ago. Since then, none).

I do not think Nathan "didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings", but far more importantly, recognized that he did hurt some people's feelings, people without an anti-Nathan agenda, he took responsibility and he apologized. Not some half baked oooh, I'm sorry if you got took it the wrong way, but a real apology.

I know I keep stressing it, but I'm so impressed by it (since so many people do the half baked one), that I want Nathan to get full credit.

Adam Rippon came out in 2015 and won US champs in 2016.

 

[el henry]

Adam Rippon came out in 2015 and won US champs in 2016.

thank you, I had forgotten the timeline. So two (if we count Rudy) currently competing (meaning out while they were competing and won US Champs) in the past 26 years. ETA: and that could be past 100 years, I was just trying to be generous by counting from 1996.

 

[TontoK]

I disagree my friend if you are saying that people were not honestly hurt by the original interview answers.

I don't want to drag other social media into here, but people were honestly, genuinely hurt. I, for one, can absolutely be hurt by the words of someone I have never met.(not talking about Nathan) So that is not some excuse by weaklings who are looking to start an argument. ( I suppose I could be a weakling. but not because of that ).

Nathan recognized the genuine hurt and Nathan apologized. Anyone stirring up drama after that, I do not understand


ETA: sorry for the dreaded double post. I didn't see soon enough to multi quote.

This conversation is a perfect example of the beauty of sport. It can take two people who are generally in disagreement about many things, and can bring them together in common interest, forging friendships where none should logically exist.

Out of respect for our friendship and the very real warmth I feel towards our online relationship, I will not rebut your post... even though I'm just itching to.

 

[el henry]

This conversation is a perfect example of the beauty of sport. It can take two people who are generally in disagreement about many things, and can bring them together in common interest, forging friendships where none should logically exist.

Out of respect for our friendship and the very real warmth I feel towards our online relationship, I will not rebut your post... even though I'm just itching to.

You get the Gold Star of Online Friendship award; I know how hard it is when one is itching to reply.

 

[mrrice]

I am really on the fence about this. Maybe he should have just said he supports all the skaters and left it right there. I remember this conversation when Michael Weiss got Married. People just figured that all skaters were gay and all he said was "Well, I'm Not" Good Grief, you'd have thought he robbed a bank for all the backlash he received. Why do people ask questions if they're not ready to hear an honest answer. I can't believe this is a big deal.....