Johnny Weir Launches Weekly Column In Falls Church News-Press

FALLS CHURCH, Va., Oct. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With its edition on newsstands today, the Falls Church News-Press, for 21 years an award-winning Washington, D.C. area general interest weekly, began exclusively hosting a new column by two-time Olympic figure skater and three-time U.S. figure skating champion Johnny Weir.

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Weir has returned to competition this fall, after a hiatus following his sixth place finish in the 2010 Winter Olympics, seeking to qualify for the 2014 Olympics in Russia.

His first column out today, which is entitled, "Johnny's World," begins, "As a gay man, I find myself constantly surrounded by women." It can be found on the Falls Church News-Press website, FCNP.com.

"I am delighted to have Johnny on board," said News-Press owner and editor Nicholas F. Benton, a recent recipient of Equality Virginia's "OUTstanding Virginian" award. "I have known him since 2004 and have constantly encouraged him to do this, because in addition to being a world-class athlete, he is incredibly articulate, has a very good heart and has a lot to say."

Benton and his News-Press drew attention by retaining veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas as a columnist in January 2011. Thomas, age 92, wrote a weekly column in the News-Press for over a year before finally taking a break.

In addition to in-depth local news and Benton's own national affairs column, since 2004, the News-Press has also carried an original weekly column on LGBT issues by Wayne Besen entitled, "Anything But Straight," and since 2005 an original column by former CIA analyst Tom Whipple on the "Peak Oil" energy debate.

Contact: Nicholas Benton (703) 307-4637, [email protected]

SOURCE Falls Church News-Press