Gus Kenworthy thanks public for 'amazing' support since coming out

Since coming out as gay over a week ago in a cover story for ESPN Magazine, American freeskier Gus Kenworthy has received countless messages of both support and spite, but according to the 24-year-old Sochi silver medalist, “the good more than outweighs the bad”.

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“The support I’ve gotten has been amazing,” Kenworthy told Team USA. “I’ve had a lot of kids reach out to me that are feeling like they’re in the same situation. I feel good I’ve been able to step into that role.”

“There hasn’t been that person in action sports, and there really have not been very many people in sports in general, to step up to the plate and speak up about their sexuality. I think because there have not been that many people, it kind of further envelopes gay men with a sense of shame, which I definitely felt for a long time.

“I wished I had someone I could kind of relate to, and I’m just hoping to be that person to someone for other people.”

In the interview, the Essex-born American also reflects on intolerance, image, and haters on social media.

To others who might be struggling with the decision to come out, Kenworthy had this to say: “You have to embrace it, become proud of it. I think it’s not so globally accepted that you can be, “I’m gay, so?” and feel that it’s [routine]. I want that to be the case, but I don’t think we’re there yet.”

He continued: “Kids shove it away for so long and eventually make the choice to come out, [and] it makes it a big deal when they do go to college, or move, or retire from a career. It’s a big deal always for the person involved. I think the only reason it was a big deal for me was just because of where I was with the sport.”

Meanwhile, Gus recently shut down a Twitter troll who asked whether he was the man or the woman in a relationship in perfect style – click here to find out more.

Gus Kenworthy thanks public for ‘amazing’ support since coming out

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