Complaints Filed Against Homophobic Sportcasters

A Canadian gay rights organization is filing a complaint against a French-language sports network after two commentators made homophobic comments regarding U.S. figure skater Johnny Weir.

The Quebec Council of Gays and Lesbians is demanding an apology from sportscasters Claude Mailhot and Alain Goldberg of the RDS network, who said Weir's flamboyant style "sets a bad example" for young boys, according to the Canadian Press.

Though the pair offered an on-air apology for their comments, Steve Foster, president of the council, said it was not enough. They apologized only for mocking his appearance and not for statements regarding his masculinity or saying he should compete as a woman.

However, when Foster went to RDS demanding an apology, his organization was told there wouldn't be one. Now, the Council of Gays and Lesbians is planning to send an official complaint to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, an independent body that administers on-air standards.

Goldberg, who said Weir was a bad example for young male skaters, also mentioned South African runner Caster Semenya, who was forced to undergo gender testing after her surprising win in the 2009 track and field world championships in the 800-meter race.

"We should make [Weir] pass a gender test at this point," he said. Mailhot added that Weir should compete in the women's events.