Harvey Fierstein Calls Johnny Weir a “Faggot”

Gay actor and Kinky Boots playwright Harvey Fierstein is in a bit of hot water this morning, after calling Johnny Weird the “F” word. (Not, not that “F” word, this one.) In an interview with Huffington Post about his new play Casa Valentina, the outspoken icon was asked to weigh in on other hot topics. This was his response:

Anything but Johnny Weir. Leave me alone with that faggot. Anything but Johnny Weir and his divorce.

HuffPo sort of left the comment alone, but other LGBT blogs, like Queerty, are none too happy:

Oh, okay. I guess we’re saying “faggot” now? Weir’s divorce and reconciliation have been tiring and irritating to say the least, but that doesn’t justify using a hateful gay slur against him. How does someone so vehemently opposed to institutionalized discrimination get away with calling someone a faggot?

What do you think? Do gay men get a pass when it comes to using the word “faggot?” We’re all probably a little guilty of it. But should we let it fly?

UPDATE: Johnny Weir responds with some subtle shade:

https://twitter.com/JohnnyGWeir/status/467078392505204738