![\"Gus](\"http:\/\/i2.wp.com\/www.towleroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/2_kenworthy.jpg?resize=740%2C888\")
<\/a><\/p>\nOlympic freeskier Gus Kenworthy came out a year ago Saturday in an ESPN interview<\/a>, and reflects on how things have changed for him in an Instagram post<\/a>.<\/p>\n Writes Kenworthy:<\/p>\n I am gay<\/a>. Those three words are how I began the caption on this same photo one-year-ago, today. I remember waking up that day, with the most overwhelming sense of emotions. I was excited for a future where I no longer had to mask myself with heteronormative posturing. But then, of course, I felt apprehensive because I didn’t know how people were going to react.<\/p>\n I’d already told my immediate family and a few close friends and they all offered nothing but love and support and I decided that even if the rest of the world abandoned me, their support would be enough.<\/p>\n However when the day finally came, I was terrified of losing friends, fans and sponsors. What I didn’t anticipate though, was all that I was about to gain. I’ve gained so much over the past year and I am so tremendously thankful for all of it.<\/p>\n I’ve started to love myself, a big step for someone who spent their adolescence in self-contempt. I’ve made lifelong friends, fallen in love and felt truer and happier than I ever imagined.<\/p>\n I’ve witnessed myself swell with pride while holding my guy’s hand walking down the street<\/a>; no longer dictated by fear to walk with my hands in my pockets acting like the person I loved was merely a friend, an acquaintance.<\/p>\n I got to ski completely unencumbered and ended up having my best competitive season ever because of it.<\/p>\n And while competing I got to, finally, acknowledge my boyfriend standing at the bottom of the half-pipe cheering me on<\/a>; something I regrettably failed to do in my previous 5-year-long closeted relationship.<\/p>\n Ultimately, for the first time in my life, I got to feel free – something everybody should feel every day! I can’t thank you all enough for the support you’ve given me over the last year, it truly means the world to me.<\/p>\n I get messages every day from guys<\/a> saying my story has helped them come to terms with themselves or given them the confidence to tell their friends or family that they’re gay<\/a>. And that, I have to say, has been the highlight of my past year.<\/p>\n Of course there will always be nay-sayers but if I’ve helped even one person feel better about themselves then this process, for me, has all been worth it. I love you guys<\/a>. ❤️💛💚💙💜<\/p>\n The Instagram post:<\/p>\n The post Gus Kenworthy Reflects on a Year of Being Out of the Closet<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\nRELATED: Gus Kenworthy Schools Steve Harvey About Families Disowning Gay Kids on ‘Celebrity Family Feud’ – WATCH<\/a><\/em><\/h2>\n
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