Is Olympic Swimmer Ian Thorpe a Label Queen?
I've been following this rotten smell coming from down under. The Tom Cruise school of "the lady doth protest too much" and conservative right-wing censors have proven too much for a collage artist in Australia whose work Not Only But Also was displayed in Melbourne's Federation Square and depicted Australian Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe in a victorious pose. Beside the cutout of Thorpe was the word "gay" scrawled in marker with an arrow pointing towards the swimmer.
Now over the years there has been a lot of speculation about Thorpe's sexuality, and the artist, Natalie Starr, said, "We are not saying Ian Thorpe is gay...I don't know Ian Thorpe. I have never met Ian Thorpe. I don't know if he is gay and, anyway, who cares? What we are commenting on is the speculation that surrounds him and the trashy interest in it."
Yet immediately the conservative organizations pounced, Thorpe's managers got wind of it, threatened legal action pending an investigation, and later withdrew the threat. Thorpe's manager David Flaskas appeared to want to cool off the situation, saying "[Ian] was very relaxed about it...He's a bit of an arts buff. It's art's interpretation, don't worry about it."
The collage, however, soon had a new addition, an improvised "fig leaf" patch with a drawing of a medal on it and the word "ICON" pinned to cover the offensive slur. Starr said that the change was due not to any "community outrage" but that the work was meant to evolve. "The work does change. It's being transformed the whole time," she said. How convenient.
The whole incident would be laughable if it weren't so sad. I'm sure that all speculation about Thorpe's sexuality will now cease and the world of Olympic swimming can breathe a huge sigh of relief knowing that there are no homosexuals tainting Australia's Olympic training pools. Australian Family Association spokesman Bill Muehlenberg was very happy with the results, saying "[Icon] sounds like a better word for him."
It seems to be a problem for "liberals" in this era to stand up for their beliefs in the face of commerce (thank you Michael Moore), and I'm just assuming that Ms. Starr is a liberal based on my understanding of her artwork.
The real concern here is that rather than letting the issue "flame up" and do what socially challenging art is meant to do — in this case raise debate and ask why the word "gay" continues to remain dirty and defamatory in the 21st century — the artist seems to have quickly bowed to the pressure of organizations like the Australian Families Association, organizations that continue to spew ignorance, discrimination, and intolerance at the expense of basic civil and human rights, and gay youth. Gay youth commit suicide at a rate much higher than their heterosexual counterparts partly because instances like this one appear to demonstrate that it is far safer for them to stay in the closet.
Whether or not Thorpe is or isn't gay and whether or not the artist's actions were defamatory is a different matter entirely from the actions that were taken by covering up the artwork after it was already on display. Thorpe should be commended for taking it in stride. Natalie Starr should not only be ashamed for being such a conciliatory sell-out, but for facilitating intolerance in professional sports and the world at large.
Posted Jul. 26,2004 at 3:01 AM EST by Andy Towle in Art and Design, Australia, Ian Thorpe, Sports, Swimming | Permalink
The Melbourne Herald-Sun had a huge headline calling this a "gay slur". I couldn't see any comments from Thorpe's camp (ahem) using this term. ( http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,10169693^661,00.html )
This article references "Australian Families Association spokesman Brian Handley demanded the work be withdrawn. "It borders on criminality to attack somebody that way," he said.
Obviously a Herald-Sun (a Murdoch rag) issue. Now if they had labelled him as any other minority, would that have been a slur, or criminal?
Posted by: Mike | Jul 26, 2004 6:55:17 AM
Has any one heard Ian Thorpe speak??? Good lord! A pink chiffon dress (and pearls) fall out of her mouth whenever she's interviewed. Now, I'm not saying that there arent any straight boys with lisps but come on...lets call a spade a spade.
Posted by: Pablo | Jul 26, 2004 11:06:37 AM
Why is it that Australia only makes it into the international news for disgraceful stuff like this? You said it, Andy - it's a pathetic turn of events. :oS
Posted by: Flip | Jul 28, 2004 6:54:47 AM
He's not gay
Posted by: Sarah | Aug 18, 2004 4:45:18 PM
first of all... i HIGHLY doubt Ian is gay. if he is who cares!? i'll still be in love with him and think no different of him.
second of all... Pablo - get a life! he doesn't even have a lisp at all and i've known straight guys with such lisps u would have a heart attack gossiping abt them!
he's such an all around amazing and awesome guy so just leave him alone. PLEASE!
Posted by: Sphynx | Aug 18, 2004 8:02:05 PM
first of all... i HIGHLY doubt Ian is gay. if he is who cares!? i'll still be in love with him and think no different of him.
second of all... Pablo - get a life! he doesn't even have a lisp at all and i've known straight guys with such lisps u would have a heart attack gossiping abt them!
he's such an all around amazing and awesome guy so just leave him alone. PLEASE!
Posted by: Sphynx | Aug 18, 2004 8:02:31 PM
first of all... i HIGHLY doubt Ian is gay. if he is who cares!? i'll still be in love with him and think no different of him. the reason other statements wouldn't be considered criminal is that sexuality is PERSONAL and is not a topic to joke (or assume) abt.
second of all... Pablo - get a life! he doesn't even have a lisp at all and i've known straight guys with such lisps u would have a heart attack gossiping abt them! gay guys have good fashion sense by the way. a pink chiffon dress with pearls SUCKS. and another thing... u capitalized good and not Lord. Grow the hell up.
he's such an all around amazing and awesome guy so just leave him alone.
Posted by: Sphynx | Aug 18, 2004 8:08:29 PM
it seems like there are some people out there that look for any opportunity to tear someone like ian apart. he is a totally awesome person and has more courage than most other people out there. so even if he is gay, unlikely... y make such a big deal out of it... i mean cummon guys. leave the poor guy alone he has enough to worry about.
Posted by: Jeanette | Aug 21, 2004 1:00:21 AM
Even if Ian were gay, I would show him a thing or too outside the pool, if you know what I mean! This guy is hot!
Posted by: Amanda | Aug 21, 2004 6:24:28 PM
Hi,
I hope he is gay because we need more gay or whatever icons aspecialy in sport that arnt in the closet, cause you will find that they are probley there more than you think, just not very obvious about it. People need to wake up and learn not to judge people because of the way god made them.
Posted by: william | Aug 23, 2004 3:17:11 PM
It would be a great thing if all gay athletes, soldiers, lawyers, doctors, teachers, waiters, dustmen, et al and eh hem actors said they were gay bisexual straight so that kids will grow up without the stereotyping that i had to put up with. and then maybe we would all excel in specialist events that make us proud. like Thorpy. x
Posted by: Alan | Aug 23, 2004 6:07:46 PM
what would it matter if he was gay or not? it doesn't ruin his swimming career or make him act in any way different than how he is portrayed. this gay thing it totally irrevelent.
Posted by: Tom | Aug 24, 2004 7:21:44 PM
I dont think Ian Thorpe is gay... or at least I dont think so.There are other guys that are gay, why don't they write about them. He's just a normal guy that can swim really fast and famous for it and likes fashion. I know other guys that like fashion but arent gay. So just leave him alone
- no matter if Ian Thorpe is gay or not, I still like him.
Posted by: Mrs.Thorpe | Aug 25, 2004 8:33:30 PM
Ofcourse he is gay, just do the math. He will never come out of the closet as his corporate sponsors would leave him in droves.
It all comes down to money.
Posted by: Johno | Aug 28, 2004 8:12:40 AM
pls. peple. leave ian alone. i dnt think hes gay, and if he is, its not our business.
who started this gay thing anyway??? i think he is the gay.
ian is such a cool person even if this trash is disgusting. i still love you ian!!!!!
Posted by: emily | Aug 31, 2004 8:42:50 AM
i think ian thorpe is the best EVER and always will be.
GO IAN THORPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From candice
P.S ian you rock
Posted by: candice | Sep 8, 2004 3:49:58 AM
Why is everyone fighting over Ians personal life.No-one deserves to be talked about behind there backs and no-one deserves to pass judgement.The guy already gets judged on his swimming he does not need his personal life judged aswell.Just because he is a well known person does not mean that asswipes who have nothing better to do with there time can spill the beans or make up lies about him.They just don't know that people will still stick behind him whatever his choices are.
Posted by: Lisa | Sep 10, 2004 4:15:29 PM
Ian Thorpe is talented, beautiful, smart, well-dressed, well-behaved, and well-spoken. If these qualities are considered gay, then I wish all men were gay! America loves you Ian!
Lorrie
Posted by: lorrie worrell | Sep 14, 2004 9:07:28 PM
I really don't think Ian is gay, but to tell you the truth i don't know him,other then what I read on the web, and none of you people do either its only your opinion. I love Ian's personality and he's so talented in so many ways! I don't understand why people make things up about celebs and i don't understand why people make such a big deal about it! Look around your city, there r so many things happening out there that need more atention then celebs personal life. We need to stop and take a look. There are so many people in our schools jobs that are gay, straight, bi, and really is it such a big deal? In my opinion no its not. Maybe some of the people who write these things are just the sa,e but nobody knows because no one is writting about them, therfor nobody cares. So Ian i hope u just blow all of this off,cand keep doing your best in everything you do! Go Big Or Go Home!
Posted by: Robyn | Sep 19, 2004 7:31:15 PM
I really don't think Ian is gay, but to tell you the truth i don't know him,other then what I read on the web, and none of you people do either its only your opinion. I love Ian's personality and he's so talented in so many ways! I don't understand why people make things up about celebs and i don't understand why people make such a big deal about it! Look around your city, there r so many things happening out there that need more atention then celebs personal life. We need to stop and take a look. There are so many people in our schools jobs that are gay, straight, bi, and really is it such a big deal? In my opinion no its not. Maybe some of the people who write these things are just the sa,e but nobody knows because no one is writting about them, therfor nobody cares. So Ian i hope u just blow all of this off,cand keep doing your best in everything you do! Go Big Or Go Home!
Posted by: Robyn Esplen | Sep 19, 2004 7:32:47 PM
so what if ian thorpe is a gay! it's not a big deal but i dont he is a gay. are there some evidences that will prove that he is a gay? what an accusation!
Posted by: aleksis | Oct 5, 2004 5:57:29 AM
Who in the world cares if Ian is gay or not, which I highly doubt!!!!!!! I kinda hope he is, because I hate to see him with some gorgeous girl, even though a common girl like myself would never have a chance of being with him. He has got to be the hottest man that God has ever put on this earth, not too mention he has the most gorgeous built body I have ever had the pleasure of viewing!! You go Ian Thorpe!!!!! We American women absolutely LOVE you!!
Posted by: Renee | Oct 12, 2004 3:05:54 PM
First of all PABLO: GET A LIFE YOU MORON! BEING GAY ISNT "disraceful"! its normal! P.S. say you might have 10 friends, according to statistics 20 of them will be gay so get over your homophobia cos thats the only "disgraceful" thing!
Secondly to Robyn Esplen: I know you might be trying to be all supportive and open minded and stuff but by saying "what an accsation!" your not really achieving your goal. Your making it out to be a bad thing (being gay) and its not.
MY OPINION- personally i think he is gay and so does my brother (who is gay). in my brother's exact words: "he is such a lesbian!" lol.
i think that when he retires he'll come out cos i was readin this thing that said 1/4 of the pupultion wouldnt buy a product endorsed by a gay athlete. As it waas previously said by someone else : "it all comes down to money"
Also i dont see why the word "gay" is considered "bad". Most of the gay comunity prefer it to homosexual cos it doesnt just focus of the sexual aspect
Si why does it matter that the artist wrote "gay" with an arrow pointing to ian? What if they had have written ""straight"? It would have been just weird you no? no one would have paid attention. So why the big deal just cos it says "gay"?
Posted by: Sarah | Apr 16, 2005 11:41:37 AM
First of all PABLO: GET A LIFE YOU MORON! BEING GAY ISNT "disraceful"! its normal! P.S. say you might have 10 friends, according to statistics 2 of them will be gay so get over your homophobia cos thats the only "disgraceful" thing!
Secondly to Robyn Esplen: I know you might be trying to be all supportive and open minded and stuff but by saying "what an accsation!" your not really achieving your goal. Your making it out to be a bad thing (being gay) and its not.
MY OPINION- personally i think he is gay and so does my brother (who is gay). in my brother's exact words: "he is such a lesbian!" lol.
i think that when he retires he'll come out cos i was readin this thing that said 1/4 of the pupultion wouldnt buy a product endorsed by a gay athlete. As it waas previously said by someone else : "it all comes down to money"
Also i dont see why the word "gay" is considered "bad". Most of the gay comunity prefer it to homosexual cos it doesnt just focus of the sexual aspect
Si why does it matter that the artist wrote "gay" with an arrow pointing to ian? What if they had have written ""straight"? It would have been just weird you no? no one would have paid attention. So why the big deal just cos it says "gay"?
Posted by: Sarah | Apr 16, 2005 11:50:38 AM
First of all PABLO: GET A LIFE YOU MORON! BEING GAY ISNT "disraceful"! its normal! P.S. say you might have 10 friends, according to statistics 2 of them will be gay so get over your homophobia cos thats the only "disgraceful" thing!
Secondly to Robyn Esplen: I know you might be trying to be all saupportive and open minded and stuff but by saying "what an accsation!" your not really achieving your goal. Your making it out to be a bad thing (being gay) and its not.
MY OPINION- personally i think he is gay and so does my brother (who is gay). in my brother's exact words: "he is such a lesbian!" lol.
i think that when he retires he'll come out cos i was readin this thing that said 1/4 of the pupultion wouldnt buy a product endorsed by a gay athlete. As it waas previously said by someone else : "it all comes down to money"
Also i dont see why the word "gay" is considered "bad". Most of the gay comunity prefer it to homosexual cos it doesnt just focus of the sexual aspect
Si why does it matter that the artist wrote "gay" with an arrow pointing to ian? What if they had have written ""straight"? It would have been just weird you no? no one would have paid attention. So why the big deal just cos it says "gay"?
Posted by: Sarah | Apr 16, 2005 1:05:18 PM