Queer VoicesJohnny WeirFigure Skatingrussia-anti-gay-law

Johnny Weir Opens Up About Being A 'Passive Activist' For Gay Equality

Johnny Weir On Being A Gay Activist: ‘I Still Carry My Man Bag In Russia'
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HuffPost Live

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Russia's anti-gay laws have sought to oppress gays, but for figure skater Johnny Weir, it's provided a forum for him to fight for equality by merely being himself.

"I've never felt bad about myself [in Russia]," the Olympic medalist told HuffPost Live in an interview on Wednesday. "I still carry my man bag, and my self, and that I think is the strongest statement I could ever make, and one that I tried to make in Sochi."

Weir views this to be one of the strongest forms of advocacy.

"I wasn't afraid of somebody attacking me or arresting me in any way because the greatest stance I could make as a gay person in our fight globally for equality is being myself, and that's something I don't stray from no matter where I go," he said.

It's what his friend has fondly dubbed "passive activism," he explained:

"She said, 'Johnny, you practice passive activism. You just are you. You live your life and that's just what you're about, but by doing that, you can give other people strength."

Weir will continue his mission of empowering the gay community in the forthcoming documentary "To Russia With Love," out Oct.29 on Epix.

Watch the rest of Johnny Weir's conversation with HuffPost Live here.

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Johnny Weir
Johnny Weir(01 of49)
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Johnny Weir attends the Broadway opening night of 'Seminar' at The Golden Theatre on November 20, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
Johnny Weir(02 of49)
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Johnny Weir attends the Broadway opening night of 'Seminar' at The Golden Theatre on November 20, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
The Blonds - Front Row - Spring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(03 of49)
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Johnny Weir attends the The Blonds Spring 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Center 548 on September 14, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
Indashio - Backstage - Spring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(04 of49)
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Johnny Weir and Indashio backstage at the Indashio Spring 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Audi Forum on September 13, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
Indashio - Backstage - Spring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(05 of49)
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Johnny Weir backstage at the Indashio Spring 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Audi Forum on September 13, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
Indashio - Backstage - Spring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(06 of49)
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Johnny Weir backstage at the Indashio Spring 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Audi Forum on September 13, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
Indashio - Backstage - Spring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(07 of49)
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Johnny Weir backstage at the Indashio Spring 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Audi Forum on September 13, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
Betsey Johnson - Front Row - Spring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(08 of49)
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Figure Skater Johnny Weir (C) and model Jessica Hart (R) attend the Betsey Johnson Spring 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Theater at Lincoln Center on September 12, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
Timo Weiland - Front Row - Spring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(09 of49)
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American figure skater Johnny Weir attends the Timo Weiland Spring 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Studio at Lincoln Center on September 11, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2012 - Official Coverage - People and Atmosphere Day 4(10 of49)
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(L-R) Professional figure skater Johnny Weir and actress Leven Rambin attend Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2012 at Lincoln Center on September 11, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
General Idea - Front Row - Spring 2012 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(11 of49)
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Figure skater Johnny Weir attends the General Idea Spring 2012 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Studio at Lincoln Center on September 9, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
Trevor Live: An Evening Benefiting The Trevor Project(12 of49)
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Figure skater Johnny Weir attends Trevor Live: An Evening Benefiting the Trevor Project at Capitale on June 27, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
The Cinema Society & Bing Present A Screening Of "The Hangover Part II" - Inside Arrivals(13 of49)
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Figure Skater Johnny Weir attends the Cinema Society & Bing screening of 'The Hangover Part II' at Landmark Sunshine Cinema on May 23, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
2011 Skating With The Stars Gala(14 of49)
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Johnny Weir attends the 2011 Skating With the Stars Gala at Wollman Rink - Central Park on April 4, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
FIJI Water at Isaac Mizrahi Fall 2011(15 of49)
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Johnny Weir attends the Isaac Mizrahi Fall 2011 runway show hosted by FIJI Water, official bottled water of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Exit Art on February 17, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
Isaac Mizrahi - Front Row & Backstage - Fall 2011 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(16 of49)
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(L to R) Johnny Weir and Andy Cohen attend the Isaac Mizrahi Fall 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Exit Art on February 17, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
Dennis Basso - Front Row - Fall 2011 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(17 of49)
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Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir attends the Dennis Basso Fall 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Stage at Lincoln Center on February 15, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
Chris Benz - Presentation - Fall 2011 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(18 of49)
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Susan Sarandon and Johnny Weir attend the Chris Benz Fall 2011 presentation during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at David Rubenstein Atrium on February 14, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
Timo Weiland - Presentation - Fall 2011 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week(19 of49)
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American figure skater Johnny Weir attends the Timo Weiland Fall 2011 presentation during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Box at Lincoln Center on February 13, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
2011 Greater New York Human Rights Campaign Gala(20 of49)
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Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir attends the 2011 Greater New York Human Rights Campaign Gala at The Waldorf-Astoria on February 5, 2011 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
U.S. Figure Skating Championships(21 of49)
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Johnny Weir poses with the Michelle Kwan Trophy after receiving Skating magazine's Readers Choice Award during the U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Greensboro Coliseum on January 30, 2011 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (credit:Getty)
U.S. Figure Skating Championships(22 of49)
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Editor Troy Schwindt presents Johnny Weir with Skating magazine's Readers Choice Award and the Michelle Kwan Trophy during the U.S. Figure Skating Championships at the Greensboro Coliseum on January 30, 2011 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (credit:Getty)
"Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1" New York Premiere - Inside Arrivals(23 of49)
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Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir attends the premiere of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1' at Alice Tully Hall on November 15, 2010 in New York City. (credit:Getty)
QVC Presents "FFANY Shoes on Sale" Benefit for Breast Cancer Research and Education - Inside(24 of49)
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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 13: Figure skater Johnny Weir attends 'FFANY Shoes on Sale' Benefit for Breast Cancer Research and Education, presented by QVC at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on October 13, 2010 in New York, New York. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for QVC) (credit:Getty)
Isaac Mizrahi - Front Row - Spring 2011 MBFW(25 of49)
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: (L-R) Producer Lauren Zalaznick,TV Personality Andy Cohen and Figure skater Johnny Weir attend the Isaac Mizrahi Spring 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Theater at Lincoln Center on September 16, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for IMG) (credit:Getty)
2010 GLAAD Manhattan(26 of49)
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NEW YORK - AUGUST 03: Figure skaters Sarah Hughes and Johnny Weir attend GLAAD Manhattan at 230 Fifth Avenue on August 3, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
136th Kentucky Derby - Kentucky Derby(27 of49)
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LOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 01: Johnny Weir attends the 136th Kentucky Derby on May 1, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Jeff Gentner/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards - Show(28 of49)
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CENTURY CITY, CA - APRIL 17: Chaz Bono and Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir onstage at the 21st Annual GLAAD Media Awards held at Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on April 17, 2010 in Century City, California. (Photo by Angela Weiss/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Figure Skating In Harlem's 2010 Skating With The Stars Benefit Gala(29 of49)
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NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Figure skater Johnny Weir, Donald Trump and Melania Trump attend the Figure Skating in Harlem's 2010 Skating with the Stars benefit gala in Central Park on April 5, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Figure Skating In Harlem's 2010 Skating With The Stars Benefit Gala(30 of49)
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NEW YORK - APRIL 05: Figure skater Johnny Weir attends the Figure Skating in Harlem's 2010 Skating with the Stars benefit gala in Central Park on April 5, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Cuties California Mandarins Presents "Ice Dreams"(31 of49)
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BENSENVILLE, IL - APRIL 01: Johnny Weir performs at 'Ice Dreams' at the Edge Ice Arena on April 1, 2010 in Bensenville, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Cuties California Mandarins Presents "Ice Dreams"(32 of49)
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BENSENVILLE, IL - APRIL 01: Johnny Weir performs at 'Ice Dreams' at the Edge Ice Arena on April 1, 2010 in Bensenville, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Cuties California Mandarins Presents "Ice Dreams"(33 of49)
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BENSENVILLE, IL - APRIL 01: Johnny Weir performs at 'Ice Dreams' at the Edge Ice Arena on April 1, 2010 in Bensenville, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Cuties California Mandarins Presents "Ice Dreams"(34 of49)
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BENSENVILLE, IL - APRIL 01: Olympian Johnny Weir performs at 'Ice Dreams' at the Edge Ice Arena on April 1, 2010 in Bensenville, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Cuties California Mandarins Presents "Ice Dreams"(35 of49)
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BENSENVILLE, IL - APRIL 01: Olympian Johnny Weir and Olympian Dorothy Hamill attends 'Ice Dreams' at the Edge Ice Arena on April 1, 2010 in Bensenville, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
US' Johnny Weir competes in the Men's fi(36 of49)
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US' Johnny Weir competes in the Men's figure skating free program at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, during the XXI Winter Olympics on February 18, 2010. AFP PHOTO / Saeed KHAN (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Figure Skating Men's Singles - Day 7(37 of49)
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VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 18: Johnny Weir of the United States competes in the men's figure skating free skating on day 7 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at the Pacific Coliseum on February 18, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Johnny Weir of the US waves after compet(38 of49)
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Johnny Weir of the US waves after competing in the men's Figure Skating short program at the Pacific Coliseum during the Vancouver Winter Olympics on February 16, 2010. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
US' Johnny Weir competes in the Figure S(39 of49)
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US' Johnny Weir competes in the Figure Skating Men's short program, at the Pacific Coliseum, in Vancouver during the XXI Winter Olympics on February 16, 2010. AFP PHOTO / Dimitar DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Figure Skating Men's Singles - Day 5(40 of49)
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VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 16: Johnny Weir of the United States reacts after his routine in the men's figure skating short program on day 5 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at the Pacific Coliseum on February 16, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Figure Skating Men's Singles - Day 5(41 of49)
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VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 16: Johnny Weir of the United States competes in the men's figure skating short program on day 5 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at the Pacific Coliseum on February 16, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Matthew Stockman REMOTE/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Figure Skating - Day 2(42 of49)
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VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 13: Johnny Weir of United States practices during figure skating training on day 2 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at Pacific Coliseum on February 13, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
US Figure Skating Championships Day Seven(43 of49)
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SPOKANE, WA - JANUARY 24: Johnny Weir skates during the exhibition gala at the US Figure Skating Championships at Spokane Arena on January 24, 2010 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
US Figure Skating Championships(44 of49)
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SPOKANE, WA - JANUARY 14: Johnny Weir (L) confers with coach Galina Zmievskaya during pratice in preparation for the US Figure Skating Championships at Spokane Arena on January 14, 2010 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final - Day 3(45 of49)
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TOKYO - DECEMBER 05: 3rd placed Johnny Weir of the USA poses with his medal after competing in the Men Free Skating on the day three of ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final at Yoyogi National Gymnasium on December 5, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
2010 U.S. Olympic Team Media Summit(46 of49)
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CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 11: Figure Skater Johnny Weir poses for a portrait during Day Two of the 2010 U.S. Olympic Team Media Summit at the Palmer House Hilton on September 11, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
USOC Athlete Portraits(47 of49)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 12: Figure skater Johnny Weir poses for a portrait during the NBC/USOC Promotional Photo Shoot on May 12, 2009 at Smashbox Studios in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
Festa On Ice 2009(48 of49)
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GOYANG, SOUTH KOREA - APRIL 24: Johnny Weir of USA performs during Festa on Ice 2009 at KINTEX on April 24, 2009 in Goyang, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
ISU NHK Trophy - Figure Skating Day 3(49 of49)
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TOKYO - NOVEMBER 30: Johnny Weir of the US greets the audience during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy at Yoyogi National Gymnasium on November 30, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
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