Liam Dougherty

Liam Dougherty (born May 4, 1984 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian ice dancer. He has competed with partners Mylene Girard, Terra Findlay and Melissa Piperno. In June of 2009, Liam will be participating in Montreals annual Fringe Fest presenting his one man show, Figure Skating is for Little Girls.

Biography

He began skating at age eight and switched to ice dancing at age 13.. Early in his career, he partnered with Tanith Belbin for a short time. He began skating with Piperno in 1999. Together they are the 2003 Canadian junior national champion and placed 10th at the 2003 World Junior Figure Skating Championships as well as competed on both the Junior Grand Prix and the senior Grand Prix of Figure Skating. That partnership ended in 2004 and Dougherty was left without a partner for over a year. He attended the 2005 Canadian Figure Skating Championships as a reporter for the Yukon News.. He teamed up with Findlay later that year.

After that partnership ended in 2007, Dougherty teamed up with Girard, with whom he placed 10th at the 2007 Nebelhorn Trophy. Their partnership ended following that season.

In April of 2009, Liam emerged again backing a new kind of entertainment. He announced his participation in Montreal's annual Fringe Fest presenting a show entitled "Figure Skating is for Little Girls: A one man show AbOUT eating disorders, sparkles and violent personal shame. Sadly based on a true story" on June 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th at McConnell Arena (McGill Downtown Campus). Describing his show as "a one-man show based on the pathetically true story of my existence. Come along as I explore the origins of my shameful career choice, try to come to terms with the ridiculous costumes I wore, make sense of the hidden resentment I feel towards my mother, and once and for all speak frankly about the inherent absurdity of my "sport". It is a no holds barred analysis, a wicked public exposure, a ceremonial gutting of the sacred cow that is the "sport" of figure skating, guaranteed to shock, offend and upset! If you´re a competitive figure skater, that is...If not, it´ll be good for a few chuckles". He has been featured in the Montreal Gazette as well as Montreal's La Presse. http://www.figureskatingisforlittlegirls.com/

Since May, Liam’s Wikipedia page had been trying to update the public and his fans about his upcoming performance but to his and fans surprise, someone keeps editing his page and omitting this major part of his life. Perhaps his actions in participating in such a show does not fair well with past supporters who are afraid of what might be said at one of his shows. As of June 16th 2009, his page has been edited eight times omitting anything having to do with his one man show. Liam has been reached for comment to no avail.

Figure Skating is for Little Girls opened to great success selling more the 100 tickets in the first two days of the show. It has been positively reviewed by spectators and critics alike.