Beyond The Thirst Trap, Is Gus Kenworthy The Role Model We Need?
When a picture of Gus Kenworthy appears on our social feeds, it’s easy to stop scrolling for one obvious reason. But to see him only as a handsome, hot athlete with a massive following is to miss the point entirely. As another Pride Month comes to a close, it’s worth asking a more important question. Is Gus Kenworthy the kind of role model our community needs?
For anyone who has followed his career, the answer is obvious. This is the man who won an Olympic silver medal in 2014 and then, a year later, risked his entire career to come out on the cover of ESPN. In a recent open letter for Out, he recalled the fear he felt back then, believing his life as a skier and his life as a gay man could not coexist. That single act of courage made him the first openly gay professional in any action sport.
His power is in his quiet confidence.
His recent Pride post was a perfect example of his impact. It featured simple, unguarded moments, a soft kiss with his boyfriend, Andrew Rigby, a relaxed bike ride, and easy laughter with friends. These images are not radical on their own. But their power comes from the normalisation they represent.
For years, an athlete at his level could never have shared these moments. By doing so, Kenworthy shows a global audience a version of queer life that is peaceful, stable, and happy. It is a quiet but firm statement that our love and our friendships are valid and worthy of celebration.
Because this kind of visibility still matters.
Why is this so important? Because somewhere, a young person is scrolling through their phone, feeling isolated or afraid. A person in one of the dozens of countries where it remains dangerous to be gay is looking for a sign of hope.
Seeing a man like Kenworthy, who is successful, respected, and unapologetically himself, is more than just a nice photo. It is proof that a fulfilling life is not only possible but deserved. In his own words about coming out, he hoped his story could be a “beacon of light” for others. Today, his continued openness serves that exact purpose.
So, yes. After all the parties have ended and the rainbow flags are put away, this is the kind of role model we need. Not because he is loud, but because he is present. Not for the thirst traps, but for the truth he represents. Gus Kenworthy shows us that the most profound act of pride is simply living an honest, visible, and authentic life.
