but when I say briefs though, I think of whitey tighties. "If you're trying to look a little sexier, or wear something nice under jeans, then I'll wear. "I don't ever wear boxers, I usually wear boxer briefs," says Kenworthy. "Ultimately, it's the most freeing thing you can do for yourself if you're in the closet, so there's definitely some similarities," says Kenworthy.Īnd, since we are talking about an underwear campaign. It's those feelings, along with the idea of taking "a leap of faith," as Kenworthy describes, that are a bit synonymous with telling someone you're gay. Just as flaunting around in nothing but your underwear can be liberating, exciting, and a little bit scary, so can coming out of the closet. One dollar will be donated to the Los Angeles LGBT Center for every special edition pair of undies that are purchased.
His next move this June as a member of the LGBTQ+ community has him feeling free in a whole other way: He's partnering alongside MeUndies for their “Celebrate Yourself” campaign by posing in nothing but polka-dot briefs to raise awareness for Pride Month. "The more representation and visibility, the more it ends homophobia and perpetuates love."Īs for his Pride plans, Kenworthy plans on to "link up with friends, wear a cute gay outfit, and enjoy the day. With June acting as Pride Month dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community, Kenworthy hopes people will get more informed and out of their "own bubbles." "The gay community shies away from the straight community in some regards, so it's nice to have it out there and have it right there in the open for everyone," says Kenworthy. Over the last few years, his upward success as a athlete, as well as his openness with his personal life, have provided more gay representation and visibility in a field typically dominated by heterosexuals.
"Anyone that's not supportive is not anyone you need to spent any time with," he adds. It strengthens them, and there's a level of trust that you have with someone when you tell them." "You can still have your old friends, of course, but it does change relationships for the better. "Once you come out, you'll meet a whole new community, and you'll make friends, and you'll find people to relate to on that level," Kenworthy says. If you find yourself in that situation after coming out, Kenworthy believes the best way to keep your spirits high and rid yourself of negativity is to "surround yourself with people who are positive, supportive, and loving," and to cut those out who don't appreciate you for who you truly are. While it's easy to ignore the opinions of strangers, it's possible for friends and family members who've known you all your life to shift gears and see you in a different light once learning the truth. Unfortunately, there are still people who remain uninformed and unaccepting of homosexuals and the gay lifestyle as a whole. People were at events the first year I came out with rainbow flags and it was really sweet. "It was nice to be able to acknowledge this part of me that I was hiding for so long. "Getting to compete out of the closet was just a nice change," Kenworthy says.
In fact, Kenworthy used all that pent-up emotion as a driving force to be the best skier he could be. Now, that's not to say being in the closet made him any less of an athlete. "When I was younger, I felt like it was such a demon in the closet kind of thing, that people would think differently of me, so I felt like I had to compensate." "Part of the reason I got to where I am in sports was while I was in the closet, I always felt like I had something to prove," Kenworthy says. Kenworthy chalks his more recent success on the slopes up to his colorful admission, taking a huge weight off his shoulders and giving him the opportunity to "compete without having to hide anything."