Olympic medalist and 5x World Champion, American skier Gus Kenworthy is used to turning heads. Now after coming out as gay, the 24-year-old icon is trying to turn minds. To turn them, that is, from not knowing much about being gay to a place of understanding. Kenworthy understands that the more people know, the more compassionate and kind they’re likely to be. And he’s not doing it for himself, he’s doing it for other people — especially young ones — who don’t have his voice and his platform.
Here’s one of the first lessons Kenworthy passed out to his students. Asked if he’s the “man or woman” in a relationship, Kenworthry replied, “I am the man. As is the other man. Not trying to emulate a heterosexual relationship.” More lessons to come, no doubt, from Kenworthy. And speaking of platforms, he counts Nike, Atomic, and GoPro among his sponsors. From the looks of his Halloween picture (waistband, below), Kenworthy may soon add Calvin Klein.
In a relationship I am the man. As is the other man. I’m gay. Not trying to emulate a heterosexual relationship. https://t.co/AJwyskECWf
— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) October 24, 2015
Halloween costume party. I’m a mouse. Duh. ? pic.twitter.com/3lLuaY8Ync — Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) October 24, 2015
