Following the publication of the book, Weir acknowledged his debt to glbtq activists of the past, stating to Chris Azzopardi of Between the Lines, "They really had to fight to live their life freely and openly, and they had so many more obstacles than I've had in my life. They were the warriors, that whole generation—from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. . . . Thank you for the people who've done it before me, but I don't have to fight for anything."

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Yet, even as he said that, he acknowledged that his decision to come out was influenced partially by a rash of suicides by glbtq youth in the fall of 2010 and that he had taken up the fight by becoming a sponsor of the Trevor Project, which operates a help-line (1-866-4-U-TREVOR) offering life-saving counseling around the clock every day of the year.

Moreover, Weir himself has paid a price for his unabashedly gay mannerisms. Even though he finished sixth in the 2010 Olympics, he nevertheless established himself as the most exciting figure skater in the world, far more enjoyable to watch than his gold medalist rival Evan Lysacek. Still, he has been passed over by sponsors and even gigs with ice skating shows such as Stars on Ice because he is perceived as "too gay."

In addition to the Trevor Project, Weir also supports such organizations as the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Equality California, and the Human Rights Campaign.

In an interview with Cloe Cabrera of the Tampa Tribune, Weir contrasted his fortunate situation of having "two very supportive and loving parents who are very strong and independent and never begrudged [him] anything" with that of a young man whom he chanced to meet at an airport and who told him that his father had stabbed him when he acknowledged his homosexuality.

"When I hear stories like that I feel blessed, but I feel even more of a responsibility to help people who will have a hard time coming out," he stated, adding, "In my own way, I hope I've made the journey a little less scary for the next Johnny Weir."

In May 2011, Weir spoke out on behalf of many gay athletes when Olympic gold medalist gymnast Peter Vidmar was selected as "chef de mission" for the 2012 U. S. Olympic team. After Outsports.com revealed that Vidmar had campaigned in favor of California's Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in the Golden State, Weir denounced the choice of Vidmar as "disgraceful" and a violation of the Olympic Charter's prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

The U.S. Olympic Committee initially defended the choice of Vidmar for the job, which involves acting as chief spokesperson for the team and as liaison between the team and the International Olympic Committee and the London organizing committee. But when other athletes followed Weir's lead in denouncing the selection, Vidmar, perhaps at the urging of the USOC, withdrew from the position, saying he did not want the controversy to overshadow the Olympic athletes.

In June 2011, Weir served as the Grand Marshal of the Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade.

On December 30, 2011, Weir and Victor Voronov wed in a small civil ceremony at the New York City Courthouse. It was attended by the parents of both men.

The couple announced that they have changed their surnames to Weir-Voronov, but that Weir will continue to use the name Johnny Weir professionally.

Following the ceremony, Weir issued a statement saying, "Marrying Victor has been the greatest moment in my life and I will work very hard to make him proud and happy. . . . Finding someone to share your life with is one of the most important things a human can do and was preached to me by my mother. Victor is the epitome of a gentleman, as handsome as he is clever and loving. Our road to marriage has been a fast one, but one I never waivered on. I am honored to have been married in the great state of New York, and I hope more states pass laws allowing all Americans to be united through love and marriage."

Gay equestrians are among the most successful and respected athletes in their sport, and a number of them have participated in the Olympic Games.

While sports, at least on the major competitive level, may be the final closet for gay men, there have nevertheless been a number of gay male elite athletes.

Canadian skater and painter Toller Cranston combined artistry and athleticism to help revolutionize figure skating.

World and Olympic figure skating champion John Curry was one of the first athletes to speak candidly about his sexual orientation while competing.

Equality California (EQCA) is one of the largest and fastest growing statewide glbtq advocacy and civil rights organizations in the United States.

The first openly gay man and the first Mexican-American to win the United States figure skating championship, Rudy Galindo, himself HIV-positive, has worked hard to increase awareness of AIDS, especially in minority communities.

The largest glbtq political organization in the United States, the Human Rights Campaign has emerged as the leading national organization representing glbtq concerns.

Australian Olympic medalist Daniel Kowalski remained closeted during his competitive swimming career but found the courage to come out publicly in 2010.

Widely regarded as the greatest diver in history, Olympic champion Greg Louganis has acknowledged both his homosexuality and his status as a person living with AIDS.

Out gold medal diver Matthew Mitcham earned the highest score in the history of the sport on his final dive in the ten-meter platform event at the 2008 Olympic Games.

Olympian Brian Orser, known for both his athleticism and artistry, led a resurgence of Canada as a force to be reckoned with in men's figure skating; after being outed in a palimony suit, he has become an advocate for glbtq rights.

Olympic medalist Mark Tewksbury was closeted throughout his competitive swimming career, but since coming out has become an advocate for glbtq rights.

The Trevor Project, a Los Angeles-based educational organization, operates the only national 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention hot line in the U.S. aimed at glbtq youth.