In an Instagram post, Olympic
free-skier Gus Kenworthy reflected on his coming out gay in an ESPN
story published last year.
The 25-year-old Kenworthy won silver
medals at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia and at this
year's X Games.
“I am gay,” Kenworthy wrote.
“Those three words are how I began the caption on this same photo
one-year-ago, today.”
“I remember waking up that day, with
the most overwhelming sense of emotions. I was excited for a future
where I no longer had to mask myself with heteronormative posturing.
But then, of course, I felt apprehensive because I didn't know how
people were going to react. I'd already told my immediate family and
a few close friends and they all offered nothing but love and support
and I decided that even if the rest of the world abandoned me, their
support would be enough. However when the day finally came, I was
terrified of losing friends, fans and sponsors.”
“What I didn't anticipate though, was
all that I was about to gain. I've gained so much over the past year
and I am so tremendously thankful for all of it. I've started to love
myself, a big step for someone who spent their adolescence in
self-contempt. I've made lifelong friends, fallen in love and felt
truer and happier than I ever imagined. I've witnessed myself swell
with pride while holding my guy's hand walking down the street; no
longer dictated by fear to walk with my hands in my pockets acting
like the person I loved was merely a friend, an acquaintance. I got
to ski completely unencumbered and ended up having my best
competitive season ever because of it. And while competing I got to,
finally, acknowledge my boyfriend standing at the bottom of the
half-pipe cheering me on; something I regrettably failed to do in my
previous 5-year-long closeted relationship. Ultimately, for the first
time in my life, I got to feel free – something everybody should
feel every day!”
“I can't thank you all enough for the
support you've given me over the last year, it truly means the world
to me. I get messages every day from guys saying my story has helped
them come to terms with themselves or given them the confidence to
tell their friends or family that they're gay. And that, I have to
say, has been the highlight of my past year. Of course there will
always be nay-sayers but if I've helped even one person feel better
about themselves then this process, for me, has all been worth it. I
love you guys,” Kenworthy added with four colorful heart emoticons.