Animal Rights Group Unhappy With Weir Wearing Fur
The NY Times
By NANCY ARMOUR AP National Writer
Filed at 9:59 p.m. ET
Johnny Weir has set fur flying again.
Friends of Animals has posted an open letter to the figure skater, criticizing him for having fox on one of his costumes and asking him to stop wearing fur. The animal advocacy group also contacted his costume designer, Stephanie Handler, on Tuesday.
”I totally get the dirtiness of the fur industry and how terrible it is to animals. But it’s not something that’s the No. 1 priority in my life,” Weir said Tuesday night. ”There are humans dying everyday. There are thousands if not millions of homeless people in New York City. Look at what just happened in Haiti.
”I tend to focus my energy, if there is a cause, on humans. While that may be callous and bad of me, it’s my choice.”
Weir loves fashion, and his costumes tend to be on the avant-garde — some would say extreme — side. When the three-time U.S. champion redesigned his free skate costume before nationals, he had Handler add a tuft of white fox fur to the left shoulder.
Weir said he thought the costume was ”lovely,” but Friends of Animals disagreed. Foxes are electrocuted or beaten, and their pelts are obtained by skinning the animals alive.
”He’s a role model for a lot of people, including other skaters,” said Priscilla Feral, president of Friends of Animals. ”When he makes fun of the suffering of animals that are consumed for this frivolous fashion industry and whose lives are sacrificed so he can wear little tufts of fur on his outfit, that’s fair game for comment.”
Weir finished third at nationals, qualifying for his second Olympic team.
Friends of Animals is not the first group to target Weir. He said he’s gotten letters from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, and people have sent him videos depicting how animals are treated by the fur industry.
But Weir said this is the first time someone has contacted Handler.
”She did what I asked her to. It wasn’t her choice to make me a costume with fur,” Weir said. ”At least directly come to me and yell at me. Don’t attack my peeps.”
Weir said he understands the groups’ objections, but he doesn’t share their point of view.
Besides, he’s not the only skater wearing animal skin products.
”Every skater is wearing skates made out of cow,” Weir said. ”Maybe I’m wearing a cute little fox while everyone else is wearing cow, but we’re all still wearing animals.”
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37 Comments
On January 27, 2010, Danny Clark wrote:
“Foxes are electrocuted or beaten, and their pelts are obtained by skinning the animals alive, said Anai Rhoads, spokeswoman for the group.” - We all know that this isn’t true….
[Blog editors’ note: Really? If you’re not a furrier, ask one how a “ranched” fox is killed. Ask a trapper what happens to a white Arctic fox, before and during the trapper’s visit to the trapline. Johnny Weir’s skating outfit sports Arctic fox fur, so your denial and contempt for other animals whose lives don’t belong to you doesn’t impress anyone here at all.]
On January 27, 2010, Aaron Blumberg wrote:
If you want to make a statement that has some effect, get a group of people more sensitive than Weir- who probably doesn’t do anything for humans (other than himself) either- to show up at the skating competitions with a banner and have them boo Weir when he goes on the ice. You need to be aggresive
like Greenpeaceand you’ll stop him from wearing the fox costume the next time- if you boo loud enough, you’ll have a huge impact. A side benefit: you’ll get more contributions.AARON
On January 27, 2010, mark wrote:
maybe you should spend a little more time worring about the things going around yourself before worring about what someone decides to put on thier costume. If we were to just let these animals run free then you would be complaining that we are hitting too many with our automobiles, then you would want to take away automobiles.
[Blog editors’ note: Arctic foxes, coyotes, raccoons and wolves do run free in nature, Mark,
and I hope you keep your traction off their backs.
As Judge Judy says: Time to change was yesterday. Time to wake up is now.
On January 27, 2010, Daniela wrote:
As we all know, FUR COMES FROM ANIMALS THAT WERE INHUMANLY FORCED IN WIRE CAGES, BEATEN TO DEATH, OR THEIR LIMBS WERE SNAPPED & BROKEN IN BARBARIC TRAPS. THEY ARE OFTEN SKINNED ALIVE- COME ON THAT’S DISGUSTING. He wore fur and, therefore, we will not watch him and boycott his event.
On January 27, 2010, Peter Senft wrote:
I agree w/ Weir. What this organization is doing is ok, however, with everything else happening in the world today, the efforts of this group need to be direct towards another animal… human beings. How dare you attempt to impose your thought and beliefs on the rest of us.
[Blog editors’ note: Welcome to the animal advocacy movement Peter Senft. Put on your listening ears and realize, please, you’re not the center of the universe. Moreover, Arctic foxes were not put on earth so that 25-yr-old figure skaters could pay to have them dismembered for fashion accessories. You’re not entitled; your ideas are self-indulgent. Poorly presented, too.]
On January 27, 2010, Natasha wrote:
“There are humans dying everyday. There are thousands if not millions of homeless people in New York City. Look at what just happened in Haiti”,-Johnny Weir.
Oh, how convienient. He’s trying to say that he cares about people but care about what they or we do to animals. Its not OK to talk like an idiot. I hate him. .. I’m so glad it’s in the news and everyone knows what a loser he is.
On January 27, 2010, Rhonda wrote:
Everyone in America is entitled to their own opinions. I love animals but you dont have the right to inflict your beleifs on other people. MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. People and Animals die everyday. Who are you to decide what others do!
[Blog editors’ note: That you’re afflicted by a moral argument is noted. How humans interact with other animals who help keep the earth alive is Friends of Animals’ business. Life and death can’t be avoided, but one’s actions matter, so restraining your impulses is a very sensible idea, animal-loving aside.
On January 27, 2010, Mudwormss wrote:
Who here enjoys milk in there coffee or maybe a nice thick steak or a burger from your fav. fast food rest. or maybe that pair of tennis shoes you just bought for your teenager or that leather bound Franklin planner you carry around the office or that down pillow that you sleep on every night. Come on people, these animals are “farm raised” “engineered” for mans survial on this planet that we are killing faster everyday.
On January 27, 2010, Sherry Maxwell wrote:
Ok, everyone, let’s get real here. First of all how stupid is this guy for wearing fur? Doesn’t he read? How we treat animals reflects on us as a society. Neither humans or animals are treated very well. Look, everyone has diffrent goals in life. We serve different purposes. Some take in rescue animals, others donate to relief in Haiti, while others feed the hungry. The important thing is that we at least do “something”. The real sin is doing “nothing”. Everyone has the right to stand up for what they believe in. Why should the rights of humans and the rights of animals be exclusive? There has to be a middle ground, otherwise nothing will get accomplished.
On January 27, 2010, jonathan gilbert wrote:
Weir’s flippant response really ticked me off…We need to mount a full blown protest asap..
On January 27, 2010, michelle wrote:
I don’t even know where to begin, honestly……I just recently
watched a few videos concerning the skinning of animals for fur, and I think it is totally appaling, I love animals and the ones I have bring joy to my life everyday…..and that is priceless.What these animals endure is nothing less than horrific, I would enjoy watching Weir being skinned alive, It makes my heart ache to think of these beautiful creatures going through that torture!!!!!!!And as for his comments on human suffering, I feel for that too , but they have a voice, Animals dont, I, we, are their voice,
dont let it be unheard, do what ever you can, if you are not
part of the solution, you are part of the problem……..Don’t wear fur.
On January 27, 2010, Sherry Maxwell wrote:
Ok, everyone, let’s get real here. First of all how stupid is this guy for wearing fur? Doesn’t he read? How we treat animals reflects on us as a society. Neither humans or animals are treated very well. Look, everyone has diffrent goals in life. We serve different purposes. Some take in rescue animals, others donate to relief in Haiti, while others feed the hungry. The important thing is that we at least do “something”. The real sin is doing “nothing”. Everyone has the right to stand up for what they believe in. Why should the rights of humans and the rights of animals be exclusive? There has to be a middle ground, otherwise nothing will get accomplished.
On January 27, 2010, Natasha wrote:
I agree with Sherry. Arguing that protecting animals’ rights is indulgent when human rights are being abused is nonsensical. As thinking beings, we should be compassionate towards ALL living creatures. I would wager that individuals who stand up for the rights of animals are also individuals who stand up for basic human rights. Some of the comments above criticizing the Friends of Animals position miss the point entirely - we should all be working to reduce needless pain, death, and suffering around the world, for both humans and animals.
On January 27, 2010, Weir-y Of This Person wrote:
Does it surprise anyone that this supremely self-absorbed narcissist, who has been trying to live down his humble PA roots for years now by giving new meaning to the term “label whore”, by somehow thinking his shopping sprees in Torino were entertaining, who extols Russia (and honestly, is there a less animal-conscious nation on earth?) of all places, with all of its gaudy new money excess, as a place to be revered - does it surprise anyone that this creature doesn’t give a damn about other creatures? As an earlier commenter suggested, I highly doubt Weir lifts a finger for his fellow man. To use Haiti and the human tragedy playing out there as any sort of rationale for his disregard for animals is shameful. As to his observation that all skaters wear leather, point taken - they could in fact wear non leather skates. And ought to.
On January 27, 2010, Ramona Foxworth wrote:
Johnny you are making this horrible problem of animal abuse worse by wearing fur.There is no reason that you cannot be a voice for animals and people both. How does wearing fur help anything? There is great faux fur that looks just as good,if you must have it. It is so disgusting that you surround yourself in the flesh of dead animals. Animals that have been hurt and have cried out in pain. You must also know that you will bring negativity on you by by surrounding yourself in the sad energy of bloodied, horribly,abused animals.Energy is all around us. Stop wearing fur…
On January 27, 2010, Alan C wrote:
Do any of you people eat chicken, fish, beef, or pork. Ever??
FoA comments:
No. Neither do we wear fur or leather. But how would eating meat justify wearing fur?
On January 27, 2010, Angela Hipper wrote:
Thank you for doing what you can for innocent animals. Johnny Weir needs to rethink what he is doing. If animals aren’t his #1 priority, I’m okay with that but don’t flaunt the terrible abuse animals endure.
He is an Olympic skater. When the Olympics are on I will be rooting for anyone but him. I sent a message to his website. He is sending a terrible message about this country with his enormous ego. I hope, really hope, he loses.
On January 27, 2010, sarah wrote:
Thank you for standing up to such a cruel and inhumane practice.
On January 27, 2010, Brandon wrote:
I have to say treating animals in the fashhion mentioned is extremely loathesome and who really needs to wear fur in this day and time? Not to mention a small “tuft” that could easily have been faux fur or somthing. But there is the larger issue, I do eat animals and wear cow leather I guess would this be considered just as bad?
FoA comments:
Just like Weir you have a choice. The animals do not. Please give it some thought.
On January 27, 2010, Jon Soeder wrote:
I think it boils down to this:
There is an old joke that goes “ask me if I care.”
The person asks, “do you care?”
The response is “about what?”
Weir doesn’t care. What he cares about is his image, his look, the impact he can make or force on others. It’s ‘Hollywood’ folks. It’s done for the notoriety and without any care for others. I think the comment about going to the event and booing is correct. DO something about it. Get him to see that there are people out there who disagree. That as a performer he does have responsibilities about how he communicates and what he does.
Yes we all wear leather in some form or fashion. But that is a byproduct of an animal that has been used also for consumption. You don’t eat fox. So you raise it and kill it for one thing. Its fur. Not really cool, if you ask me. Besides that, you could actually (if it mattered to Weir - which it didn’t, duh!) - he could have used fake fur. Wow, OMG, dude…that could have been a statement.
FoA comments:
We all don’t wear leather or eat animals, and none of need to.
On January 27, 2010, Jon Soeder wrote:
Dear FoA,
It is good to know that we live in a great country, where we are allowed our opinions and comments. Unfortunately I am guilty of eating meat, simply because I enjoy it. I don’t do the exotics and I also don’t have a lot of leather products. But we could also go extreme and say plants are alive as well. I am not in to creating more arguments for the sake of arguments. What Weir did is not OK, and will never be OK. Just know you do have a ‘carnivore’ that is agreeing with you and not fighting you. I apologize if I generalized about we all eating meat or leather. That was not and never the point. We have technology which can handle much of our needs. We can also be more responsible.
On January 27, 2010, Maxine Morrin, Ph.D. wrote:
I am so glad, once again, that you are addressing issues of cruelty to animals in areas where most people would not think to look. What does homelessness and the tragedy in Haiti have to do with our responsibility not to inflict horrible pain and suffering that could be avoided on animals? And look how he shirks his responsibility as a world-wide role model in terms of his clothing and acts like anything he wears has nothing to do with any of his own possible hidden agendas—with or without ice skates. His achievements on the ice are very impressive—which makes it even more imperative that he take responsibility for his actions and intentions towards animals that cannot possibly defend themselves.
Thank you again. I can always trust FoA to “be there” where most others would not even notice anything wrong.
On January 27, 2010, Will wrote:
The comments by Natasha and Weir-y of this Person really struck me. I have to admit, I’ve never given a lot of thought to the animal rights movement, though I consider myself to be a very socially-conscious person. The points Natasha makes about extending compassion to ALL living creatures are so pertinent. As a society, we need to examine the wide-range and long-term effects our excessive consumption has on this planet and its inhabitants. Very well put, Natasha! I was initially intrigued by this article from an LGBT perspective. I always hope when an LGBT person (especially a young gay man like Weir) comes into the public eye, he or she will prove to be a great ambassador/role model for the larger LGBT community. Clearly, Johnny Weir is not this type of young gay man, as Weir-y of this Person pointed out. Comments about homelessness and the Haitian earthquake, both grave issues, coming from Johnny Weir seem too mundane and are used to deflect attention from the fur question. And it seems contradictory that someone so apparently in-tune to human suffering would talk about death and tragedy with the same breath that he uses to describe the aesthetic value of the fox-fur trim he had added to his costume. His flippant remarks reveal him to be another shallow, poorly-informed young gay man. I wonder how many filling meals and potable water could be purchased for the cost of that fox fur trim. Did that occur to Johnny?
On January 28, 2010, Bob Orabona wrote:
As to Johnny Weir’s professed humanitarian concerns, let him “put his fur where his mouth is.” Johnny, sell all your furs and donate that money to humans in need. Surely you care more about humans than wearing fur.
On January 28, 2010, Derek wrote:
“Foxes are electrocuted or beaten, and their pelts are obtained by skinning the animals alive, said Anai Rhoads, spokeswoman for the group.”
I’ve never heard of this. What proof do you offer to support this claim?
FoA Comments:
In a BBC documentary, you will see that foxes are, in fact, skinned alive.
We should note that our intentions were not to target a piece of fur, but the use of fur overall. Johnny Weir wears full-length coats, has adorned his apartment with reindeer pelts and other items that were derived from animals. He has not been shy about his intentions and we need him to be mindful how these furs were obtained. Killing an animal for mere decoration, whether it be for a coat, hat or furniture - should not be acceptable to anyone.
On January 28, 2010, Steph wrote:
I don’t understand one of the statements above, where the editor writes that, “coyotes, raccoons, wolves do not run free in nature.” Please tell me that you are not being serious. Where are you from? Where I come from, we not only have coyotes, wolves, and raccoons, but we have deer, elk, bears, foxes, antelope, bobcats, mountain lions (or “cougars”), skunk, porcupine, pheasant, turkey, badgers, and I’m probably forgetting some. ..
[Blog editors’ note: You’ve misread the comment. Foxes and other animals trapped for the fur trade are a part of nature, so your interference into their lives is objectionable. Some minks, foxes,wolves and other animals are confined on fur farms and suffer hideously. Johnny Weir is right about one thing Friends of Animals has long said: Fur is a Dirty Business. Also, it’s an industry that should be abolished, not rewarded by wearing pieces of fur that supports a gruesome trade with no respect for animals.]
On January 28, 2010, steph wrote:
It is a hideous practice. I do not condone it one bit. I’m just appalled at the things that happen in this world, and not only to animals but to humans. I understand the comment now, I didn’t know that they were kept in “farms.” Its a very hard thing to see, and what makes it harder is that you don’t want to believe it happens, especially in abundance. I don’t understand how skinning the animals alive makes less damage to the fur though. Because of the blood? Do they not wash the fur anyway before turning it into someone’s coat?
On January 28, 2010, Jess wrote:
I am not a fan of slaughtering animals just for their skins but consider this; If people hadn’t thought to use animal fur to keep warm, everyone would have frozen to death before commercial fabrics were made. Therefore none of us would be here to complain about anything that anyone else does.
FoA Comment:
Choosing real fur and other skins nowadays is pretty archaic. With the options available all around us now, one cannot remotely imply that these items are deemed necessary anymore.
On January 28, 2010, Jess wrote:
I did not intend to imply that it necessary any longer. I do not condone the use of fur or leather. There are many better options readily available now. I was simply stating that at one time the use of animal skins was a necessary evil for survival.
On January 28, 2010, Priscilla Feral wrote:
In reply to Jess, Friends of Animals agrees that there’s simply no need, in the 21st century, to take the lives of Arctic foxes, coyotes, wolves, red and grey foxes, ermine, lynx, raccoons, beavers, seals, rabbits, chinchillas or other animals who were born in their fur. Other mammals, like us, want to go about the business of living. Their fur belongs to them and so does their freedom.
60 minks are skinned to make one coat. 45 foxes are tortured to make another coat. Why should furriers be rewarded for causing their deaths?
When caught in leghold traps, foxes and other animals will fight to free themselves. When animals caught in snares try to escape, the wire cuts more deeply into limbs, necks or bodies. Friends of Animals’ video footage of Alaska wolves caught in snares appalled viewers who watched them on national news broadcasts. Our mink neck-breaking video shot on a Northwest fur farm was aired on 60 Minutes.
Awareness is the key to reversing the trend of young people who are most of today’s fur buyers. Consumers of all ages should know that buying any amount of fur means sustaining an industry that farms or traps, kills and processes animals who deserve to have lived full, free lives.
Johnny Weir is right about one thing: Fur is a dirty business.
Priscilla Feral
On January 28, 2010, kathi wrote:
He is an arrogant egotistical idiot. He shouldn’t be allowed to represent the United States or any decent respectable orginization.
I wish someone would post the companys that sponsor him so I can send letters of protest.
On January 28, 2010, steph wrote:
I like Priscilla’s comment about awareness. That is totally spot on.
On January 28, 2010, Jeff wrote:
The fur industry exploits animals for fashion in horribly cruel ways, and supporting it is wrong, but how are wearing leather, eating meat, eating cheese, etc. any different? Singling out Johnny Weir for criticism while ignoring the fact that the vast majority of people in our society also support animal exploitation, torture, and death does little or nothing to raise consciousness about animal rights.
FoA comments:
It’s simply not possible to raise every issue at the same time. Weir wasn’t singled out, but used as an example of the heartlessness of wearing fur. Those people who think that there is nothing wrong with wearing fur now have reason to think again.
On February 2, 2010, Katie wrote:
When talking about the horrors inflicted upon animals or humans, remember that in the vast majority of cases it is humans who are doing this, and only humans who can help end any of it. (The other cases being natural disasters).
What we humans do in our personal lives can hurt others. If we wear fur or leather we create demand which hurts or kills animals. If we eat meat, dairy or eggs we create demand which hurts or kills animals. Avoiding this cruelty in our daily lives won’t ever stop us from helping humans.
Not only that, just because we don’t hurt or kill animals directly doesn’t mean we aren’t responsible. It’s like hiring a hitman to “take someone out”. The hitman wouldn’t do it unless asked to and paid for services. Not fighting for animals rights is like not notifying the police if you become aware of a “hit” about to take place. We are all complicit.
I love this quote: Go vegan and no-one gets hurt.
On February 18, 2010, NT wrote:
People like Weir do not care about anyone but themselves. So he gets how dirty the fur industry is but he has other things on his mind?! What the…? I do not care how busy you are, but if you know something is wrong take an extra 10 seconds to make the right and ethical decision. All he had to do was to ask his costume designer to use faux fur (or forget the whole ugly fur look altogether) and he would have made a difference in the life of one animal. You do not have to be an activist to help change the injustices in this world, whether to humans or animals.
On June 3, 2010, carl wrote:
Is it true that fossil fuels are direct result of decaying living oranisms that once lived here on earth?If that is the case we should not drive cars,use electricity,or the device which you are viewing this message on since plastic is a petroleum base product from yes fossil fuels.This would be pfofiting from animals that once existed in the wild as well.Food for thought.More everyday things you use in your life are in some way a product of something that has once lived than you care to acknowledge.
On June 3, 2010, Lee Hall, Friends of Animals wrote:
Flaunting the skin and hair of a fox leads to the notion that killing a fox for this reason is chic. That means living beings will be pursued and their lives interrupted and ended. These foxes, and other animals who are pursued for this end, aren’t beings who “once existed in the wild”; they are here today, and we’d like them to be here tomorrow as well.