Tag: coming out

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Olympians Adam Rippon & Gus Kenworthy: Coming Out Made Us Better Athletes

U.S. Olympians Adam Rippon (L) and Gus Kenworthy (R)

In an interview with The Washington Post, freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy and figure skater Adam Rippon shared their thoughts on being the first two out male Winter Olympians and how it affected not only themselves but other athletes.

Both acknowledged that one byproduct of their openness about being gay was the encounters with closeted athletes and coaches who thanked them for the representation.

Kenworthy said two athletes and a coach approached him while Rippon spoke of a coach did the same.

The duo, who became friends thanks to their shared status as “America’s gay Olympians,” also noted the enormous fear and energy that being closeted took from each of their lives.

Said Rippon, “I think you spend so much time worrying about what other people think about, that you realize that you had all of this extra energy that you didn’t need to be using. And, you know, I think straight people never have this experience of coming out. And it’s such a life-changing moment that you become so strong. I gained so much power and strength from that moment.”

“And I agree with what he said about it being effortless,” Kenworthy added, “because when I was in the closet, it was so [pause] much [pause] effort to stay in the closet and constantly worrying, and fearing I was going to fall asleep before the other guys on my team and say something in my sleep, or anything. I was just, all the time, always nervous that I was going to out myself, that someone was going to find out, and it was this horrible, horrible thing. And now that I’m out, and I realize how great it is, and I’m just getting to enjoy my life, I feel like I just feel free and liberated and I’m competing better, interviews, anything, I just get to be myself, and it’s a strange thing to be thanked for that, but it’s also amazing.”

The two athletes also agreed that they felt the need to be at the top of their respective sports before they could come out in that being “the best” meant haters couldn’t throw shade.

“For myself,” Kenworthy said, “when I came out [in 2015], I felt like I needed to be the best, because that was what I thought it would take to be accepted. No one can talk s— on you if you’re the No. 1 ranked in the world, and so that’s what my whole thing was, and so I made sure that the season before I came out, I was the No. 1-ranked guy in the world, and that was how I wanted to come out. Because I felt like, ‘You can’t argue with that.’ But in the end, no one was trying to argue with it anyway.”

“I actually feel exactly the same,” Rippon said, “where I made sure that when I came out, I was skating very well, so that I would be taken seriously. And after I came out, I won my national title.”

Truly, Rippon and Kenworthy were taken very seriously in their sports.

And regarding the “gay Olympian” label? Rippon summed it all up thusly:

“I think, at the end of the day, that we’re just Olympians. And I think we’re ‘gay Olympians,’ and the next gay Olympians will just be called Olympians, and I think that’s what we really hope, that it won’t be a story.”

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Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy Shares His Journey To PyeongChang

Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy shares part one of a video trilogy made in conjunction with Samsung chronicling his journey to the 2018 Winter Olympics.

In this clip, titled “Roots,” he looks back on his small hometown of Telluride, Colorado, where no one had gone to the Olympics, let alone win a silver medal as he did in the 2014 Winter Games.

He also allows that he was worried if his fellow Telluriders would have celebrated his success had they known he was gay.

But those fears and concerns proved to be unfounded as he faced coming out in 2015.

Kenworthy is proving an excellent advocate for the LGBTQ community with his calm, honest storytelling of how he got to this moment.

Looking forward to parts two and three. Watch below.

(h/t TheOUTFront)

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Pro Wrestler Jake Atlas Comes Out

Jake Atlas (image via Instagram)

Pro wrestler Jake Atlas recently came out via a statement on his Facebook:

In July 2015, I made a bold statement to my trainer, Robby Phoenix that I would win the Rookie of the Year award. Brody King, Douglas James and myself started our training around the same time, so when they won the award, I promised them that I would finish the trifecta.

This award may mean a lot to some and nothing to others, but to me however, it is my biggest accomplishment to date. The award itself, of course, but the journey to achieving it is what I am most proud of. The commitment, sacrifice, and dedication to reach a goal I set out for myself proves that with hard work, it’s what you put out that determines what you receive.

I’ve been trained by the very best in Joey Kaos, Los Luchas, Kevin Condron and Robby Phoenix. I owe it to them for instilling important values that help me strive for success each and every day. I’m proud to represent the best school in California (and one of the best in the nation.)

Last, I am proud to fulfill my promise of coming out publicly about my sexuality to be a voice for those that struggle with this issue like I have for many, many years; to be a voice that reminds everyone in the same shoes that there is nothing you cannot achieve.

I made history. And I plan to make more. This is only the beginning of many “firsts” left to come in my career. Thank you.

You can read more about Atlas’ coming out in this in-depth interview with SoCalUncensored.

Congrats, Jake!

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Olympian Johnny Weir Explains Why He Never Came Out As A Competitor

(Johnny Weir via Instagram)

With attention on out Winter Olympic athletes Adam Rippon and Gus Kenworthy heading to the South Korea games, two-time Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir got himself into some hot water after tweeting:

“Happy that there are representatives of the LGBTQ community competing at the Olympic Games. Notably, @guskenworthy, @Adaripp & several more. I never ‘came out’ in sport because being gay was something born in me & had nothing to do with my skating. I never came out as white…”

There was such an outpouring of digust as Weir seemed to compare sexuality with race that he eventually deleted the tweet saying, “Sometimes there just aren’t enough characters to finish a thought.”

And with that, he shared this thread of tweets to clarify his position:

I am so thrilled that there are out representatives of the LGBTQ community competing at the Olympic Games. Notably, @guskenworthy ⛷ & @Adaripp ⛸ among others. It is very brave for all of us to live our truths whether on the global stage or in our own homes.

Because of the attention on those athletes, many of you have written or tweeted because I am not referred to as “out” at either of my Olympics and in the traditional sense I wasn’t.

I wear my sexuality the same as I wear my sex or my skin color. It is something that simply is and something I was born into. I never “came out” in sport because I didn’t imagine it as a great secret & it had nothing to do with my skating or my dreams.

I was extremely lucky to grow up in a family/community of acceptance and perhaps that’s why I don’t see my sexuality as something that needs addressing. I am forever indebted however, to the warriors who came before me that allow me to lead the life I do so openly.

Many of you got upset last night when I tried to finish that thought in one tweet so I thought it needed clarification. I’ve got a busy day ahead so excuse me while I lotion…

Now, with his swan-like costume and red glove (named “Camille”) at the 2006 Torino Olympic games, I doubt anyone was wondering about Weir’s sexuality.

That said, Weir has shared in the past that he’s not a “rainbow flag waver” when it comes to LGBT activism.

In any case, I am a fan of athletes who do stand up and come out so young folks have heroes to look up to.

So, kudos to Rippon and Kenworthy for living their authentic selves as they head to the 2018 Winter Olympics.

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News Round-Up: January 9, 2018

Some news items you might have missed:

• Check out the Russian/American “cultural” exchange (above) between InstaHunk bfs Alex (Russia) and Brett (U.S.)

• Asked about the now empty Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS after the Trump administration fired the council members, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders tossed off a vague “We’ll keep you posted.”

• Superstar Ricky Martin got a bit “cheeky” promoting his latest concert dates in Las Vegas at The Park Theater.

• This is a big deal – Democratic Senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris have been appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Previously, only 1 African American had ever served on this body during its 201-year history.

• LGBT fans of Star Trek: Discovery were left heartbroken after the most recent episode.

• Hunky Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds was recently asked on Twitter which Hollywood “Chris” does he think is the hottest – Pratt, Hemsworth or Evans? Using ice cream as a metaphor, Reynolds got a bit cheeky. He also threw in a Chris Pine shout out as well.

• Uganda’s LGBTQ film festival persevered despite being raided by the police.

• The state of Connecticut have soon have the very first openly gay Chief Justice of any state Supreme Court.

• Big shout out to British gravity racer Zach Leader who recently came out via Instagram. Check out his message below.

So 2018 is finally here and for about 6 months now, this is how I wanted to start the new year. A fresh start. No more hiding, no more lies, no more fannying around! To some of you this won’t be news or anything new but to a lot of you, I imagine it won’t have even crossed your mind. Some of you may have thought about it I imagine 😂 What I’m trying to do is come out and say I’m gay 🏳️‍🌈 I’ve spent a lot more time in paddocks in recent seasons but this issue has never come up, I’ve never known if the paddocks would accept a gay rider. I guess I’ll find out soon! 😂 I’ve always worried that people would look at me differently and so wouldn’t accept me into paddocks. I’ve always worried this would hinder me from getting sponsors and maybe even signed by teams in the future; that team managers wouldn’t want the hassle and so wouldn’t bother, regardless of how good I may be. Obviously I’ll find all this out in good time but I really hope everyone both in general life and racing life accepts me for who I am. This is a purely personal decision to come out but maybe if there are other LGBT racers in British paddocks then it may help them to find themselves and consider coming out too, or find the confidence to talk about it. I’m always happy to talk to anybody about it 😊 Maybe one day we may see more racers happy and confident to come out as a member of the LGBT community! 😊 I’m telling you all now though, I’m a man on a mission. I’m going to be the first openly gay BGBC champion and then one day I’m going to Britain’s one of Britain’s first openly gay national motorcycle champions and the ultimate goal is to be THE FIRST EVER OPENLY GAY BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPION. And mark my words, I’ll get there if it’s the last thing I do! I’m going to be an ambassador in racing for the LGBT community too which I’m going to be incredibly proud to do 😊 Feel free to message about anything guys but I hope you all accept me and continue to show me the love! ❤️ I don’t currently have that special guy in my life to share everything with and to share my journey to glory with at the moment but I’m working on it 😜 Happy new year everyone! #gay #gayteen #lgbt #gayracer #comingout
A post shared by Zack Leader (@zleader77) on Dec 31, 2017 at 5:20pm PST

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News Round-Up: December 27, 2017

(via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• It’s Hump Day – Do I really need to explain why actor/model Trevor LaPaglia (above) is here? #woof

• Who could possibly be a big enough star to headline the Sydney Gay & Lesbian 40th Mardi Gras celebration the year that marriage equality becomes a reality? Word is it’s the one and only Cher.

• Donald Trump’s lawyers are telling the Trumpster the Robert Mueller investigation will soon come to an end, but those in the know say that’s “fanciful” thinking as Yahoo News reports Mueller has just collected “a mountain of new evidence.”

• Kansas City weatherman Gary Lezak came out to the world and introduced his longtime partner in a moving Facebook post last week.

• An Orlando police officer who saved lives the night of the Pulse Nightclub shooting is being fired just months before his pension would kick in.

• Apple is facing at least 8 lawsuits over iPhone software updates that slowed down phones without informing customers.

• And here’s the always fun round-up of Best News Bloopers of 2017, just to show you folks on TV are human like all of us:

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News Round-Up: November 29, 2017

Some news items you might have missed: • Sixteen men arrested last month during a crackdown on homosexuality by the authorities in Egypt have been sentenced to three years in prison. • The Trump Organization has announced the new Trumpstore.com which sells a $32 Trump Golf hat made in Bangladesh, and a $25 faux gold bouillion “TRUMP” coin bank made in China. Whatever happened to “America First?” • If you like my short and sweet News Round-Ups, you’re definitely going to like kenneth-in-the-212’s “Remains of the Day” posts 🙂 • Mattel’s Barbie doll teamed up with designer Aimme Song to promote Song’s new “Love Wins” t-shirts. As expected, the haters hate it. • YouTuber Elle Mills is getting tons of attention for her awesome, creative coming out video. Over 800,000 views in two days. Check it out below.

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News Round-Up: November 27, 2017

Some news items you may have missed:

• I realized I don’t feature many blonds on The Randy Report, so let’s celebrate a Happy Monday with Joseph Sayers (above) via kenneth-in-the-212.

• An Indianapolis lesbian couple was kidnapped, viciously beaten and sexually assaulted over four days. Three men have been arrested on 26 charges, including criminal confinement, kidnapping, rape and battery by means of a deadly weapon.

• The Anaheim Ducks tweeted, then deleted, this video of Ryan Kesler walking around the Ducks’ offices in his “birthday suit” to celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Hockey League yesterday.

• Forty people were injured in Spain’s Canary Islands this weekend when a popular gay nightclub’s dancefloor collapsed plunging dozens of clubgoers down into the basement.

• The FDA has approved the first two-drug daily regimen for treating HIV.

• Former Olympic swimmer for the UK, Mark Foster, who has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and acts as a commentator for swimming coverage, has come out at the age of 47.

• Gillette has produced a short film asking UK men for their views on masculinity, what it means to them and how they see the future of being a man progressing.

The video was released alongside a study of 1,000 men that showed 67% believe a man’s role in society has evolved; 45% say they have felt unable to share their feelings because of their gender, and 23% admit that they still feel pressure to be a ‘man’s man.’ Watch the video below.

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Anthony Rapp: Kevin Spacey Made Sexual Advance Towards Me At Age 14

Kevin Spacey (L) Anthony Rapp (R)

Anthony Rapp, star of Broadway’s RENT and currently CBS All Access’ Star Trek: Discovery, has shared a decades-old story alleging actor Kevin Spacey once tried to seduce Rapp when he was 14 years old.

The two actors were both appearing on Broadway at the time, Spacey in Long Day’s Journey Into Night and Rapp in Precious Sons.

Spacey, 26 years old at the time, had met Rapp at several post-show celebrations as the awards season had begun and invited Rapp to a party at his home.

Rapp went to the party alone, but upon realizing no other people his age were in attendance, found himself alone watching TV in a bedroom.

Buzzfeed has the following account from Rapp:

At some point, Rapp said he turned to see Spacey standing at the bedroom door. And that’s when he first realized that everyone else had left the party. They were alone.

“My memory was that I thought, Oh, everybody’s gone. Well, yeah, I should probably go home,” Rapp said. Spacey, he recalled, “sort of stood in the doorway, kind of swaying. My impression when he came in the room was that he was drunk.” Rapp doesn’t remember Spacey saying anything to him. Instead, Rapp said, “He picked me up like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold. But I don’t, like, squirm away initially, because I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’ And then he lays down on top of me.”

“He was trying to seduce me,” Rapp said. “I don’t know if I would have used that language. But I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually.”

Rapp recalled this all happening — Spacey appearing at the door, coming into the room, picking him up, and putting him on the bed — in one clumsy action, with Spacey landing at a slight angle on top of him. He said Spacey “was, like, pressing into me,” and that he remembers Spacey “tightening his arms.” But while he can’t recall exactly how long Spacey remained on top of him, Rapp said he was able to “squirm” away after a short period.

“It was a frozen moment,” Rapp said of the entire encounter, with a deep, exasperated sigh. “In terms of fight or flight or freeze, I tend to freeze.”

After pushing Spacey off him, Rapp remembered he was able to step into the bathroom and close the door. “I was like, ‘What is happening?’” he said. “I saw on the counter next to the sink a picture of him having his arm around a man. So I think on some level I was like, Oh. He’s gay. I guess. Then I opened the door, and I was like, ‘OK, I’m going to go home now.’ He followed me to the front door of the apartment, and as I opened the door to leave, he was leaning on the front door[frame]. And he was like, ‘Are you sure you wanna go?’ I said, ‘Yes, good night,’ and then I did leave.”

As he walked home, “My head was spinning,” Rapp said. “I have a memory of turning around and [thinking], What was that? What am I supposed to do with it? What does it mean?”

Rapp says in light of the recent sexual harassment allegations about producer Harvey Weinstein, he felt emboldened to speak up about his experience years ago.

Some hours later, Spacey responded to the allegation via Twitter wherein he said he didn’t recall the encounter but apologized to Rapp. In the same message, Spacey, who has long danced around gay rumors, picked this as the time to come out.

“But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior,” Spacey wrote.

“This story has encouraged me to address other things about my life. I know that there are other stories out there about me and that some have been fueled by the fact that I have been so protective of my privacy,” he continued. He also acknowledged for the first time publicly that “I now choose to live as a gay man.”

The Twitterverse found it beyond contempt that Spacey would attempt to conflate the story by coming out:

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News Round-Up: October 20, 2017

(via Instagram)

Some news items you might have missed:

• The real Steve Pena (above) is giving you fab Fall foliage and physique. Happy Friday!

• Celebrity chefs Jose Andres, Elizabeth Falkner, and Carla Hall are among bakers who have joined the Human Rights Campaign’s friend-of-the-court brief for the right of LGBT people to be served by all businesses open to the public.

• A new study shows only 5% of LGBT employees in China feel comfortable coming out at work.

• Hate fliers advising members of the LGBTQ community to commit suicide were posted on the Cleveland State University campus – the same day the university opened its first LGBT center.

• Required reading – brilliant Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda interviews brilliant Tony Award winner Stephen Sondheim on approaching creativity and collaboration. “Variety, variety, variety. Don’t let up for a second. Surprise us.”

• Another great episode last night on the rebooted Will & Grace. I’m finding the “Will/Jack” scenes are landing a bit better than some of the “Grace/Karen” scenes, but maybe that’s just me.

This was a cute moment with guest stars Jane Lynch and Andrew Rannells (below) who played “conversion therapy camp counselors” at Camp Straighten Arrow.