Shirtless Tongan Pita Taufatofua Finishes His Cross-Country Ski Olympic Event

Pita Taufatofua

Pita Taufatofua, who competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Taekwondo and in the last year learned cross-country skiing in 2017 to compete in the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, finally ran his race today.

Exalting that he "finished the race and didn't ski into a tree," the handsome Tongan gratefully accepted his 114th place finish in the men’s 15KM Free, which wasn’t last!

Pita finished 23 minutes behind gold medal winner Dario Cologna, but ahead of Sebastian Uprimny of Colombia and German Madrazo from Mexico.

In case you missed it, check out my report on Pita's incredible journey to the Winter Olympics here.

Two days ago, Pita shared his strategy with USA Today, “First step, finish before they turn the lights off. That’s number one. Don’t ski into a tree. That’s number two."

On Instagram, Pita posted the photo above with this message:

"Couldn’t be happier! Got my best time, finished the race and didn’t ski into a tree! But more importantly, I got to share the experience with all our friends from the other exotic countries who never gave up! Soo much respect to them, the medalists and all athletes from around the world who represented their countries with pride"

Pita had this inspiring message for his home country:

Pita Taufatofua, the shirtless Tongan flag bearer, is the true embodiment of the Olympic spirit ❤️ #WinterOlympics pic.twitter.com/Vi1zrqwZX9

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 16, 2018

Couldn’t be happier! Got my best time, finished the race and didn’t ski into a tree! But more importantly I got to share the experience with all our friends from the other exotic countries who never gave up! Soo much respect to them, the medalists and all athletes from around the world who represented their countries with pride!

A post shared by Pita Taufatofua (Pita T) (@pita_tofua) on Feb 16, 2018 at 5:58am PST

Pita was at the finish line to cheer his friend German Madrazo to the end:

Because he is my friend....

A post shared by Pita Taufatofua (Pita T) (@pita_tofua) on Feb 16, 2018 at 9:42am PST

Not many people saw how hard he fought for the privilege to be called an Olympian. I did, I was there everyday watching and fighting with him. He spoke highly of his love for his family, for his maker and for his Country. I have so much respect for this man. #Mexico #Family @german_madrazo

A post shared by Pita Taufatofua (Pita T) (@pita_tofua) on Feb 16, 2018 at 9:55am PST

Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy Would Not Accept An Invitation To The Trump White House

Out US Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy told CBS This Morning he agrees with fellow Team USA athlete Adam Rippon in his opposition to Vice President Pence and the Trump administration's anti-LGBT policies and positions.

Speaking to CBS News' Don Dahler," Kenworthy said he had “no patience” for the administration's actions “attacking” the LGBT community.

From The Hill:

“When we have people elected into office that believe in conversion therapy and are trying to strip trans rights in the military and do these things that are directly attacking the LGBT community, I have no patience,” he said.

His comments appear to reference claims that Vice President Mike Pence supported “gay conversion therapy,” which Pence’s office has denied.

Kenworthy earlier this month called Pence a “bad fit” to lead the U.S. delegation to Pyeongchang, South Korea.

“I am so proud to be from the U.S. and to be from a country where you are able to voice your political opinions and stand up for what you believe in,” Kenworthy said on CBS on Thursday.

The woofy freestyle skier from Telluride, Colorado, added that he sees this moment as one of the first gay Americans to compete at a Winter Games as an opportunity to "shed people's misconceptions" about LGBT athletes.

"I definitely carry a little bit of a burden with me, being a gay athlete going to the Olympics," said Kenworthy. "I think that there's pressure... and I think that it kind of gives us a chance to shed people's misconceptions and just kind of like break down barriers."

I love this guy.

You can watch Kenworthy's comments below.

"I definitely carry a little bit of a burden with me, being a gay athlete going to the Olympics. I think that there's pressure... and I think that it kind of gives us a chance to shed people's misconceptions and just kind of like break down barriers," Kenworthy says pic.twitter.com/W2qkIwTNsg

— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) February 15, 2018

Would you go to the White House if invited?"No...when we have people elected into office that believe in conversion therapy and are trying to strip trans rights in the military and do these things that are directly attacking the LGBT community, I have no patience," -- Kenworthy pic.twitter.com/dcTWHhVvtV

— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) February 15, 2018

Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy Shares His Journey To PyeongChang

Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy shares part one of a video trilogy made in conjunction with Samsung chronicling his journey to the 2018 Winter Olympics.

In this clip, titled "Roots," he looks back on his small hometown of Telluride, Colorado, where no one had gone to the Olympics, let alone win a silver medal as he did in the 2014 Winter Games.

He also allows that he was worried if his fellow Telluriders would have celebrated his success had they known he was gay.

But those fears and concerns proved to be unfounded as he faced coming out in 2015.

Kenworthy is proving an excellent advocate for the LGBTQ community with his calm, honest storytelling of how he got to this moment.

Looking forward to parts two and three. Watch below.

My life has changed a lot in the four years since the last Winter Olympics. One of the biggest changes (besides hitting puberty, apparently) was coming out. My friends at @samsungmobileusa documented my road to Pyeongchang and I think they did a really great job telling my story so click the link in my bio and check out the video (pt. 1 of 3)!!! ❤️❤️❤️

A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Feb 13, 2018 at 8:45am PST

(h/t TheOUTFront)

Gus Kenworthy Fields Questions About Pence And Shirtless Flagbearing At The Olympics

Gus Kenworthy

Out freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy took part in a press conference over the weekend at the Winter Games in Pyeongchang showing immense poise and confidence in answering questions about a range of topics.

On whether he would sit down to talk with Vice President Mike Pence about his anti-LGBT positions and policies:

“I think I’ve kind of made my opinion on the matter pretty clear. I don’t think that I have any inclination toward a meeting. It think that would be a much bigger distraction for me and right now, I’m just focusing on competing but I’m very excited to be here representing the US and the LGBT community. I’m very happy to meet Adam and we got to hang out at opening ceremonies and I think he’s just a tremendous guy.”

On how being out feels different at these Winter Games:

“I think I've actually always been someone that has had to compartmentalize my life because I was in the closet and I was always at fear of outing myself. And I always had so much going on in my mind that I couldn’t share it with anyone, so I actually feel, now that I’m out, I have less to compartmentalize. Although I’ve made it very clear who I am and I think I have taken a step into a sort of leadership role for the LGBT community because there isn’t a ton of representation at the Games, it’s also just me and I’m just being myself. So it’s almost easier than ever to be here and be competing and just feel free and liberated. I’m excited for Adam and all the other out athletes here. It's an amazing time to be at the Winter Games.”

In a light-hearted moment, Kenworthy was asked if he would take his shirt off, as cross-country skier Pita Taufatofua of Tonga did, if he were to be chosen as flag bearer someday:

“I actually don’t know how that Tongalese guy did that because it was freezing. We had our incredible Ralph Lauren apparel and it was heated. And it was still pretty cold. I’ve got a lot of respect for that guy going out with nothing on. Sure, I would happily do that, but I think there are more aptly suited people to carry the flag. This is Kelly Clark's fifth Olympics and there are so many people who have insane legacies, and I'm definitely proud of what I've done but I doubt I'd be flagbearer if I made it to another Games. But sure, I'll take it off if I get it.”

Watch the woofy Kenworthy below.

Adam Rippon Charms On Good Morning America

In an interview with Good Morning America today, US figure skater Adam Rippon was asked whether he would be willing to sit down with Vice President Mike Pence to discuss the anti-LGBT policies and positions Pence has promoted for several years.

Rippon gave the perfect answer.

"You know, I personally don't have anything to say to Mike Pence. I'm very lucky because legislation that he's pushed hasn't affected my life at all. I spoke out because there are people out there who's lives have been affected by change that he's tried to make. I spoke out for them because right now I have a voice and I think it's really important for me to use it. So, that's a conversation for them to have."

He was also asked about how he plans on celebrating once he gets home to the US. "I plan on going to Target, getting a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc Oyster Bay, with the twist top...? Yeah, immediately."

I love that Adam is totally Adam in every interview he's giving.

Watch below.

Team USA Takes Home Bronze Medal In Team Figure Skating As Adam Rippon Makes Spectacular Debut

Adam Rippon

It was a spectacular night of Olympic figure skating last night as I sat glued to my flatscreen watching Team USA win the bronze medal in the Team skating event.

In the women's freeskate, Mirai Nagasu made history as the first US woman to ever land a triple axel in Olympic competition (and only the third woman ever).

Out figure skater Adam Rippon made his Olympic debut for the mens freeskate and was dazzling in a performance that captivated the crowd and proved he has what it takes to be a major contender at these games.

Not to grouse, but many viewers were confounded by the fact that Rippon skated a totally clean skate but was scored third behind the skaters from Canada and Russia who both fell. Waiting to see that explained.

It's worth noting that Rippon and Nagasu, who are besties and roommates at the Olympics, were shut out of the 2014 Olympics. So last night must have been an especially sweet moment to savor together.

In the end, Team Canada took gold, Olympic Athletes from Russia was awarded silver and the Americans took home the bronze.

In doing so, Rippon becomes the first openly gay American to win a Winter Olympic medal.

Also, Eric Radford of Canada becomes the first openly gay athlete to win gold at a Winter Olympics.

In an interview after his skate, Rippon was asked what the experience was like. After a pause, he responded, “Andrea, it’s like pretty awesome. I highly recommend it.”

ADAM RIPPON. Because he slays. #WinterOlympics https://t.co/fmMl0C4Amf pic.twitter.com/fkG1KgiTb0

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 12, 2018

"HOLY COW!" You just witnessed a historic triple axel from Mirai Nagasu. #WinterOlympics https://t.co/NsNuy9F46h pic.twitter.com/jCMTb4LtXv

— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 12, 2018

So proud that @Adaripp and I get to wear these medals and show the world what we can do! #represent🏳️‍🌈 #olympics #pyeongchang2018 #pride #outandproud #medalists #TeamNorthAmerica pic.twitter.com/eXMlZ2Utrw

— Eric Radford (@Rad85E) February 12, 2018

And fellow gay American Gus Kenworthy posted this on his Instagram:

I'm a proud dad, today. ❤️🥉💛💚💙💜

A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Feb 12, 2018 at 12:22am PST

Podcast: Bermuda Repeals Marriage Equality; Out US Olympians Celebrate Opening Ceremonies; Sir Ian McKellen Remarks On Kevin Spacey's Late-Life Coming Out

In this week's podcast:

• Bermuda becomes the first country in the world to repeal marriage equality

• The 2018 Winter Olympics open as the U.S. celebrates our first two out male athletes to compete at a Winter Games

• Sir Ian McKellen finds Kevin Spacey late-life coming out “distasteful”

• Plus, out singers Matt Zarley & Jeb Havens cover Meghan Trainor's "Dear Future Husband"

Meet The 2018 Out Winter Olympians

Out U.S. Olympians - L to R - Adam Rippon, Brittany Bowe & Gus Kenworthy

With the 2018 Winter Olympics underway, the folks at OutSports.com have compiled a list of the 14 out athletes taking part in the games at PyeoungChang.

The list includes three Americans - freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy, figure skater Adam Rippon and speedskater Brittany Bowe.

Brittany Bowe (U.S., speedskating): Bowe is a former inline skater who has excelled on the ice, setting world records and winning medals. She competed in Sochi in 2014 but did not medal. An NBC Olympics profile noted that Bowe is dating Dutch speedskater Manon Kamminga. “It’s nice being with somebody that has the same passion, same drive, same goals,” Bowe said. “It’s obviously difficult living on different sides of the world. But we’re both focused on our goal.”

Gus Kenworthy (U.S., slopestyle free skiing): Easily the most publicized LGBT athlete of the Olympics, Kenworthy (a 2014 silver medalist) is a strong medal contender. He has gotten numerous endorsements and is one of NBC’s faces of the Games.

Adam Rippon (U.S., figure skating): The “old man” of the U.S. skating team at 28, Rippon jokes that he is proud of his “sons” Nathan Chen (18) and Vincent Zhou (17). Rippon came out in 2015 and proudly wears the banner of being the first publicly gay figure skater. His social media is acerbic and witty and must-follow.

These games mark the first time there will be openly gay men competing in the Winter Olympics.

According to OutSports, the number of out Olympians tops the seven from the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. In contrast, there were 56 out Olympians at the much larger Summer Olympics in 2016.

Note: there well may be other LGBTQ athletes at the Olympics this season, but this list only includes those who have publicly acknowledged being out.


Thanks to OutSports!

Podcast: Out Olympians Not Happy With VP Mike Pence; 2 More Men Allege Sexual Assault By Porn Actor

In this week's podcast:

• Olympic slopestyle skier Gus Kenworthy isn’t keen on Vice President Mike Pence leading the US delegation at the 2018 Winter Olympics

• Sir Ian McKellen celebrates the 30th anniversary of his coming out

• Two more men have come out accusing porn actor Topher DiMaggio of sexual assault. Is this a case of "he said/he said?"

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

Note: If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, here are just a few of the resources available to help.
RAINN
The Anti-Violence Project
The Human Rights Campaign

"Powder, Puppies & Pride" - Nightline Interviews Out U.S. Olympian Gus Kenworthy

U.S. Olympian Gus Kenworthy

Terrific profile of out U.S. Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy by ABC News' Nightline.

Props to Larry at TheOUTFront for the heads up :)

In the interview (below) Gus discusses the coming out process, why he waited until after the Sochi Games to come out, his fears of losing sponsorships, the impact he hoped to make on young LGBTs, and how all that affected his skiing.

I've only heard great things about Gus and definitely looking forward to cheering for him at the games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

You'll be able to watch the events for all of Team USA at the Winter Olympics beginning February 9. You can watch on the Games on NBC and its affiliated networks like NBCSN, MSNBC, NBC Universo, Telemundo, and CNBC.

And, in case you're wondering, Gus is currently off the market as he's been dating actor Matt Wilkas for some time now.

In addition to being a world-class skier, he's got terrific taste in boyfriends.

Gus' boyfriend is hottie Matt Wilkas
#Woof

Aruba with my aru-bae! 😘😜🏝

A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Jul 21, 2017 at 5:46pm PDT

A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Jan 1, 2016 at 10:53am PST

Gus Kenworthy Agrees With US Figure Skater Adam Rippon On VP Mike Pence's Olympic Role

Gus Kenworthy qualifies for 2018 Winter Olympics

Out Olympic athlete Gus Kenworthy has responded to fellow Team USA Olympian, figure skater Adam Rippon, who recently questioned the wisdom of Vice President Pence leading the Olympic delagation into the 2018 Winter Games.

Pence has a notoriously anti-LGBT history as governor of Indiana and a congressman.

From LGBTQ Nation:

“I actually found out about it from Adam Rippon’s quote about it,” he told USA Today. “I feel the same way as him. I think it’s not the person I would have expected, and I think it sends mixed messages because this is the first time we’re seeing out U.S. Olympic athletes competing in the Winter Olympics, and then we have someone leading the delegation that doesn’t support that, and doesn’t support the LGBT community, and has spoken against it. I think it doesn’t send the right message. It’s unfortunate, but it is what it is.”

“I think that I’ve gotten to live authentically and share who I really am with my family and friends. It’s made me feel so comfortable,” he said. “I think that it’s showcased in my skiing. I feel so free and liberated and it’s one last thing I have to think about, about being in the closet and worrying about outing myself. My skiing has benefited from that, from being free.”

“The fact that I am out, I think it’s going to warrant me having a better time in Korea, and really getting to experience it,” he added. “When you’re in the closet, you can’t enjoy anything quite as much. I don’t think I had the Olympics experience I was hoping for, and now that I’m out, I’m going to really take it all in and have such a better time.”

Kenworthy has become the face of gay US Olympians having come out in 2015 after winning a silver medal at the 2014 Sochi Games.

He will be competing in his second Olympic games in slopestyle skiing.

Ralph Lauren Unveils Team USA's 2018 Winter Olympic Uniforms

2018 US Winter Olympian Gus Kenworthy

Since 2008, fashion designer Ralph Lauren has outfitted Team USA for the Olympics and Paralympics.

With the 2018 Winter Games just weeks away, RL unveiled his designs today for the opening and closing ceremony uniforms.

This year's designs include "wearable heating technology."

From USA Today:

Roundly mocked in 2014 for a chaotic, patchwork cardigan sweater, the brand went classic red, white and blue this time around for the opening ceremony and white for the closing parade of athletes in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Both have a cozy bit of technology built in to keep athletes extra warm.

Athletes will be treated to stretchy skinny jeans and a far less busily designed sweater for opening, with a stretch knit pant — think structured sweat pant — for closing. The jeans have moto-inspired seaming. Accessories include a navy wool ski hat and USA-themed navy bandanna. On the athletes’ feet will be brown suede mountaineering boots with red laces for the outdoor opening.

And then there are the gloves. They’re more Ralph than Ralph himself, a Western style in suede with fringe in rawhide brown and decorated in hand-beaded Olympic rings and an American flag. They’re lined in white and fit over the wrists. Warm, yes. Yee haw! Lasso not included.

Check out the new Team USA uniforms below.

(h/t JoeMyGod)

Out Skier Gus Kenworthy Clinches Spot On 2018 Winter Olympic Team

With a second-place finish at today's Men's Freeski Slopestyle Finals, Gus Kenworthy clinched his spot on the 2018 U.S. Winter Olympic team.

He's the second openly gay man to represent the U.S. in Winter Olympics (he won silver in the 2014 Sochi Olympics but wasn't out at the time), and is the first out gay man to compete in an action sport.

Kenworthy also won the Slopestyle Finals last week at Snowmass in Colorado.

Kenworthy famously came out in 2015 to ESPN Magazine. I've written about Gus extensively - check out past posts here.

He's currently featured in a new commercial for Head & Shoulders (I posted a week ago here) and named as a brand ambassador for Proctor & Gamble.

He's currently ranked fifth among Americans in International Ski Federation rankings.

Gus joins figure skater Adam Rippon, who was named to the U.S. figure skating team last week barely beating Gus as the first openly gay man to make a U.S. Winter Olympic team.

The hunky, handsome Kenworthy is definitely worthy of a follow on his Instagram account :)

Good luck in South Korea, Gus!

I'M GOING BACK TO THE OLYMPICS!!! 🇺🇲🏳️‍🌈

A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Jan 21, 2018 at 6:32pm PST

Late night Grind(r) session. #BodyIssue

A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Jul 5, 2017 at 5:28pm PDT

Stoked to be part of @papermagazine's #breaktheinternet issue this month! Serving up 2018 hoe-pening ceremony lewks. Link to the article in their bio! 📷: @mrwhite_

A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Dec 18, 2017 at 9:21pm PST

A post shared by gus kenworthy (@guskenworthy) on Nov 17, 2017 at 8:36pm PST

Podcast: Shirtless 2016 Summer Olympian Heading To 2018 Winter Olympics; A Giant In The World Of HIV/AIDS Passes

In this week's podcast:

• Remember shirtless, hunky, handsome 2016 Taekwondo Summer Olympian Pita Taufatofua? He's making his bid to become the first Winter Olympian from Tonga and his story is truly inspiring (Link to his GoFundMe campaign here).

• U.S. Olympic Figure skater Adam Rippon is not having Vice President Pence.

• A giant in the world of HIV/AIDS, Dr. Mathilde Krim, passed away this week at the age of 91.

• Bob Smith, the trailblazing first-out standup comedian on The Tonight Show, passed away at 59.

• West Point Chapel celebrated its first same-sex wedding between active duty service members.

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report.

Podcast: America's 1st Out Winter Olympian, Possible Once-A-Week HIV Pill On The Horizon, Bette Midler Says "So Long" To Hello, Dolly!

In this week’s Randy Report podcast:

• America has it’s first openly gay Winter Olympian - figure skater Adam Rippon

• The Human Rights Campaign released its annual report ranking state LGBT rights and protections

• A possible once a week pill for HIV patients looks promising in testing studies

• A Wisconsin school district is dropping its challenge to a transgender student’s lawsuit for bathroom privileges

• Woofy out Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy stars in a new Head & Shoulders commercial touting all kinds of pride

• Bette Midler says "So long, dearie" to Hello, Dolly! on Broadway

All that and more in this episode of The Randy Report

Head & Shoulders Old Spice Commercial: Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy Knows Pride

Terrific new ad spot from Head & Shoulders Old Spice shampoo featuring out Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy.

"My shoulders carry more than my country's pride. 

"They carry my community's pride, my family's pride (Hi, Mom!) and pride in myself. 

"Because shoulders were made for greatness. Not dandruff."

Awe-Some.

USA! USA! USA!

Watch below.

U.S. Bobsled Team Sets The Bar For Olympic Hotness

2018 U.S. Bobsled Team

Tip of the hat to Gay Star News for not only highlighting the hotness that is the U.S. Bobsled team that will be competing at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics 2018 in Korea, but also tracking down their Instagram accounts so you can really get a bigger picture who these thirst traps truly are.

Gay Twitter went insane when the above team pic was posted earlier this week. And, what's not to like?

The uniforms show off the guys' muscular bobsled builds beautifully, and the men all look oh-so-handsome and confident.

Meet three of the guys below, then head over to Gay Star News for the rest of the team.

A post shared by Sam Michener (@sam_michener) on Jul 26, 2017 at 11:09am PDT

A post shared by Steve Langton (@stevenlangton) on Jul 16, 2017 at 6:08pm PDT

A post shared by Sam McGuffie (@sam_mcguffie) on Feb 24, 2016 at 11:00am PST

Russia Banned From 2018 Winter Olympics Over Allegations Of Doping

Amid allegations of state-sponsored doping, the International Olympic Committee has banned Team Russia from the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.

Those Russian athletes willing and able to prove they are "clean" may be invited to take part on a case by case basis.

From CNN:

Those athletes must meet strict guidelines and will compete under the name "Olympic Athlete from Russia" (OAR). They will wear a uniform with that name on it and the Olympic anthem will be played at any ceremonies.

The invitations will be decided upon by a panel led by the Chair of the Independent Testing Authority (ITA), Velerie Fourneyron, but it will be the IOC who ultimately decides.

Russia's Olympic Committee has been ordered to reimburse the IOC's costs of investigating the doping scandal and it must also pay $15 million.

Vitaly Mutko, the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and former Minister of Sport, has been barred from attending any future Olympic Games.

News Round-Up: July 31, 2017

Some news items you may have missed:

• Fitness model Nick Sandell all fresh and ready for a new week (above via Instagram).

• In light of Donald Trump's proposed ban on transgender military service members due to medical costs, this doctor has offered free gender reassignment surgeries for some trans military personnel. #ProblemSolved

• Los Angeles books the 2028 Summer Olympic Games! Traffic jam, anybody?

• President Trump's favorite polling outfit, Rasmussen Reports, shows President Donald Trump‘s approval rating plummeting to 39%, the first time the right-leaning poll has reported the Trumpster dropping below 40%.

• Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been found guilty of criminal contempt for willfully violating a federal judge’s order to stop racial profiling.

• In case you can't keep track, here's a list of the folks who've come and gone in the first six months of the Trump administration.

• It's the beginning of a new week, so how about something to put some pop in your bop? Charli XCX keeps busy dreaming about "Boys" in her new video of the same name which features musicians as eye-candy like Joe Jonas, Charlie Puth, Olympian Tom Daley and YouTube star Connor Franta. #HappyMonday!

Out Olympian Amini Fonua Talks LGBT Culture At The Olympic Games

Tongan Olympic swimmer Amini Fonua talks with Charley Walters on the beach in Rio about LGBT culture, Grindr and who his role models are at the Olympic games.

Update: I couldn't get the video to work without it autoplaying - which I know my readers hate.  

Head over to Advocate to watch the interview.