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<\/p>\nGus Kenworthy Says He\u2019ll Reject White House Invite: \u2018I Have No Patience\u2019 for Trump and Pence \u2013 WATCH<\/b>
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Gus Kenworthy appeared on CBS This Morning to talk about embracing his role as an out gay<\/a> role model, said that coming out on the cover of ESPN magazine was \u201cscarier than anything else I\u2019ve ever done\u201d and repeated his vow to turn down an invitation to the White House.<\/p>\n Said Kenworthy, blasting Trump and Pence: \u201cWhen we have people elected into office that believe in conversion therapy and are trying to strip trans<\/a> rights in the military and do these things that are directly attacking the LGBT community, I have no patience. 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 and I think that when you have a platform you have to use it especially if you feel very strongly about something.\u201d<\/p>\n Kenworthy sat down with reporters at a press conference last week<\/a> and was asked several questions about the conflict between Adam Rippon and Mike Pence and Kenworthy\u2019s own remarks on the topic.<\/p>\n Said Kenworthy of a meeting with Mike Pence: \u201cI think I\u2019ve kind of made my opinion on the matter pretty clear. I don\u2019t think that I have any inclination toward a meeting. It think that would be a much bigger distraction for me and right now, I\u2019m just focusing on competing but I\u2019m very excited to be here representing the US and the LGBT community. I\u2019m very happy to meet Adam and we got to hang out at opening ceremonies and I think he\u2019s just a tremendous guy<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked what he\u2019d do if he happened to run into Pence, Kenworthy replied: \u201cWell I guess we\u2019ll see how I handle it. I think I have always been someone that has had to compartmentalize my life because I\u00a0was<\/em>\u00a0in the closet and I always at fear of outing myself. I always had so much going on in my mind that I couldn\u2019t share it with anyone, so I actually feel, now that I\u2019m out, I have less to compartmentalize\u2026I\u2019ve 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\u2019t a ton of representation at the Games. It\u2019s also just me and I\u2019m just being myself so it\u2019s almost easier than ever to be here and be competing and just feel free and liberated. I\u2019m excited for Adam and all the other out athletes here.\u201d<\/p>\n The post Gus Kenworthy Says He\u2019ll Reject White House Invite: \u2018I Have No Patience\u2019 for Trump and Pence \u2013 WATCH<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n