Olympian Gus Kenworthy Shares YouTube Comments: "Go Die Of AIDS"

(image via Parker Malloy)

Along with the increased visibility that comes with being one of the first openly gay U.S. Olympic athletes, freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy has also become something of a target for hateful homophobic comments on his YouTube videos, making the point that homophobia is alive and well in 2018.

In a tweet, Kenworthy shared comments he's received calling him "faggot" and wishes for him to die an agonizing death from AIDS or some accident.

The tweet began, "Them: It's 2018 nobody cares that you're gay. Homophobia doesn't exist anymore. Get over yourself."

That was followed with screen captures of the hateful messages.

"Gross faggot. Fuck you. Go die of aids. Sodom and Gomorrah will return. Sick nasty pedi-fag."

"But you are not a "champion" you are a faggot. With any luck you die a horribly painful and drawn out death mangled in a car wreck. Or a mussy pushes you off a building would also be just fine. Or maybe someone just walks up to you and play the "knock-out" game on you and your skull cracks wide open when you hit the ground and bleed out in the street."

"Gus you are nothing but a sperm drinking, ass fucking FAG - a fucking FREAK of nature, hurry and get AIDS."

Lovely people, no?

Them: It's 2018 nobody cares that you're gay. Homophobia doesn't exist anymore. Get over yourself.

My YouTube notifications: pic.twitter.com/moASu15TR4

— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) February 27, 2018

Yes, kids, homophobia is alive and well in Trump country.

But, that said, there were lots of folks who spoke out on Gus's behalf.

I am so sorry Gus you are dealing with this. All those vile comments reflect on the people making them, not you. Thank you for always representing #TeamUSA so well, on and off skis.

— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) February 28, 2018

Ugh...😞

— Eric Radford (@Rad85E) February 27, 2018

Love you, man. Stay strong. You’re helping to change the world so scared, pathetic, afraid-they’d-like-it-if-they-tried-it assholes like this disappear into oblivion and are forgotten forever.

— Peter Paige (@ThePeterPaige) February 27, 2018

That’s how it always is, they are cowards who hide behind a computer screen.

— Anthony Bowens (@Bowens_Official) February 27, 2018