Following in the footsteps of Michael Sam, Jason Collins and Brittney Griner, top-ranked U.S. Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy announced to the world this week that he's gay. Kenworthy came out as part of an ESPN The Magazine feature, but followed the story with a post to his personal instagram.
"I am gay," Kenworthy, an American freestyle skier who won silver in Men's freestyle at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, wrote.
"Wow, it feels good to write those words. For most of my life I've been afraid to embrace that truth about myself. Recently though, I've gotten to the point where the pain of holding onto the lie is greater than the fear of letting go, and I'm proud to finally be letting my guard down."
Kenworthy went on to say that his sexuality is something he's "struggled to come to terms with," even knowing since he was a kid that he's gay. Per Kenworthy, the social pressure of growing up in a small town - about 2,000 people, a graduating class of less than 50 - and becoming a professional athlete at 16 combined to cause him to push his feelings away in the hopes that it was just a "passing phase."
The thought of being "found out," not only kept Kenworthy up at night, but caused feelings of anxiety, depression and even thoughts of suicide.
After his segment aired on ESPN, Kenworthy took to twitter to thank his supportive fans.
Today is the first day of the rest of my life.
— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) October 22, 2015
Just watched my story air on @ESPN @SportsCenter and I'm all choked up. Tears of joy! Thanks for your support :) pic.twitter.com/A1VUHZh3Pb — Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) October 22, 2015
He also added that he hopes his story can help other young kids struggling with their own identity to find peace through self-acceptance.
"Part of the reason I had such a difficult time as a kid was that I didn't know anyone in my position and didn't have someone to look up to, who's footsteps I could follow in," Kenworthy wrote on instagram. "I hope to be that person for a younger generation, to model honesty and transparency and to show people that there's nothing cooler than being yourself and embracing the things that make you unique."
