Yesterday, Olympic figure skater and perennial open-ended question Brian Boitano acknowledged that he was a gay after decades of wearing epaulets as a fashion statement on the ice. It seems like skating, more than any other sport — with the possible exception of swimming — draws the gays like a siren’s call, as Boitano is only the latest in a long, triple axeling line of openly gay figure and speed skaters.
Strap on your toe picks ’cause we’re Salchowing to our heart’s delight with these 12 openly gay skaters.
Ronnie Robertson
1937 – 2000
Ronald "Ronnie" Robertson (born September 25, 1937 in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania; died February 4, 2000 in Fountain Valley, California) was an American figure skater who was best known for his spinning ability. He won the silver medal at the 1956 Winter Olympics and twice won the silver at the World Figure Skating Championships. He retired from skating after the 1956 U.S. Championships, where he was nearly disqualified after he was accused by the German Figure Skating Federation for excessive expenses on a European tour. His father, Albert Robertson, a naval architect, accused Hayes Jenkins for trying to disqualify his son. After a huge fight with the U.S. Figure Skating Federation, Robertson was not disqualified after he lost to Jenkins and retired from competitive figure skating and signed a two-year contract with the Ice Capades for $100,000.
In the 1950s, he had a close personal and sexual relationship with Tab Hunter, who also helped fund his amateur career. Robertson was coached by Gustave Lussi.
Robertson's skating career was also well known on television. He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1957, and his fast forward upright spin was described as being "faster than an electric fan." He also appeared on The Mickey Mouse Club that year.
After leaving skating to run a small hotel which he owned with his partner, Ronnie was persuaded by Ted Wilson, a rink designer and manager in Hong Kong, to return to the ice and teach as a guest coach. Ronnie along with former Japanese champion, Sashi Kuchiki, made annual one-month trips to Hong Kong for 10 years teaching at Cityplaza Ice Palace on Hong Kong Island. Ronnie was an extremely popular coach during that period and made a lasting impression with his skills and kindness.
Ronnie Robertson died on February 4, 2000 at a hospital in Fountain Valley, California from complications of pneumonia
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