Gus Kenworthy tells critics of LGBT+ ski week: ‘Stay the f**k at home’
Gus Kenworthy of the United States competes in the Freestyle Skiing Men’s Ski Slopestyle Qualification during day six of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park on February 13, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Cameron Spencer/Getty)
Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy has hit back at homophobic critics of an LGBT+ ski event.
The out Olympic silver medallist spoke out on Tuesday (March 26) in defence of Breck Pride, an LGBT+ event that takes place at the Breckenridge ski resort in Colorado.
A number of negative reactions to the event led Kenworthy to clap back.
He wrote: “Always saddened by the homophobia on Pride posts.
“If seeing a rainbow flag while you’re on vacation upsets you then please do the world a favour and stay the f**k at home.
“Thank you to the many ski resorts that designate a week to making more people feel welcomed, included & safe!”
The ski resort had advertised the 2019 event on Instagram, but the post attracted a slew of homophobic responses demonstrating exactly why the Pride event is needed.
One commenter wrote: “Why don’t we have a straight event for those who are straight, why does being lgbt make you more special for anyone else?”
Another complained: “This is almost forcing your views on to other people… you are making the place that people go to escape filled with political bs.”
A third wrote: “I couldn’t care less what they do with each other, but there doesn’t need to be a week of this grandstanding somewhere that is meant to be an escape for most people.”
Others questioned whether the ski resort would be issuing “warnings” to families who had booked for during the Pride event.
Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy not alone in defending LGBT+ event
Kenworthy was not the only person to stick up for the event.
One Instagram commenter added: “I cannot get over the ppl mad thinking this is y’all being ‘political’ like lgtb existence and acceptance is nothing more than a political tool/them being mad about this is anything other than discrimination point blank period.
“If this offends you, don’t ever ever ever come back, there’s no room for your prejudicial on a mountain. Stay mad.”
Always saddened by the homophobia on Pride posts. If seeing a rainbow flag while you’re on vacation upsets you then please do the world a favor and stay the f**k at home. Thank you to the many ski resorts that designate a week to making more people feel welcomed, included & safe! pic.twitter.com/410uLAySIF
— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) March 26, 2019
Another added: “I come here for the toxic comments and it always amazes me how many of these people exist. Great job breck! Keep doing what you do!”
The Pride event takes place from April 3 to April 7.
Breckenridge ski resort explained: “Our authentic, rockin’ little mountain town is home to all the goods this Spring!
“Join us during Breck Pride for daily après parties, on mountain guided tours, spring beer festival and LGBT celebrations all week long.
“With 300 + days of sunshine, great events and a world-class ski resort, this celebration is going to be ON!
“LGBTQ community, friends, family, and allies are all invited.”
