Gus Kenworthy, who represented the United States in the men’s slopestyle at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, had a well-defined plan to come out. Amidst a backdrop of Russia’s then recent anti-gay propaganda law, Kenworthy, an American freestyle skier, had carefully crafted his disclosure strategy.
“I dreamed of winning the run, going to my boyfriend, and expressing my love with a kiss in front of everyone,” Kenworthy recalls. Such a moment would’ve made his sexuality known to his friends, team, and the sports world.
His performance was spectacular, earning him a score of 93.60 in the final, securing him a silver medal and a spot on the podium. But, the anticipated kiss didn’t happen.
“I wished to stage that bold protest, but I simply wasn’t prepared,” he confesses.
Unable to publicly address his sexual orientation, Kenworthy slipped into depression. During what should have been a period of reveling in his Olympic achievement, Kenworthy was contemplating whether life was still worth living. Eventually, he made a crucial decision that catapulted him to being one of the most prominent gay figures globally.
Kenworthy, hailing from a small town in Colorado, didn’t initially aspire to be an Olympian. Skiing began as a family activity, and though he’d dreamed about becoming a professional skier or an actor, Olympic dreams weren’t on his mind. It wasn’t until the tragic death of his best friend in a ski resort accident in 2006 that he shifted his focus more seriously to the sport, eventually turning pro in honor of his friend.
While starting his career in extreme sports, the young Kenworthy seemed typical—masculine and attractive. But his feelings were more complex.
“I realized I was different at a young age, even if I didn’t have the words to describe it,” he shares. “As I grew older, it was evident I was attracted to boys, but I knew no one else who felt the same. I was afraid to stand out, especially in a small town, so I suppressed my feelings.”
His life took a surprising turn when an unplanned encounter with a professional snowboarder developed into a clandestine romantic relationship. Despite their intense connection, the fear of coming out kept them in the shadows, creating a bond of isolation but also self-discovery.
After winning a silver medal at Sochi, the attention and probing questions about his love life led to intense self-loathing due to his deceit. Considering walking away from his ski career, his agent suggested he could still pursue his personal truth while continuing in his sport. However, with no previous examples to guide him, Kenworthy was fearful that revealing his sexual orientation could ruin his reputation and career.
Nonetheless, Kenworthy chose to take the risk. On October 22, 2015, he announced on Twitter, “I am gay.” The post, along with a corresponding magazine article, transformed his life and unexpectedly led to an outpouring of support. Almost overnight, Kenworthy became an LGBTQ+ icon.
His performance on the slopes improved remarkably after coming out. The fear of being exposed was gone, and he consistently secured medals in competitions around the globe. By the time of his retirement in 2022, Kenworthy had established himself as a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in the sporting world.
Today, Kenworthy recognizes the impact his courage had on others. “Every person who lives their truth gives others the courage to do the same,” he says, acknowledging that while progress has been made, there are still regions globally where homosexuality is considered a crime. His continued advocacy and support for those struggling with coming
