Gus Kenworthy is gay

[casual]

Hah solid decade and a half old statistic! Even it was a recent stat, not all 57% would say this is a " huge deal".

And you should realize that you're playing into the hyperaccelerated reality of social media by forcing people to view things the same as you and judging them if they don't.

hahaha the point was how much it has changed dummy!! meaning it was only 15 years ago that a majority of people opposed gay marriage!! I can't believe you're that dense.

 

[casual]

Hah solid decade and a half old statistic! Even it was a recent stat, not all 57% would say this is a " huge deal".

And you should realize that you're playing into the hyperaccelerated reality of social media by forcing people to view things the same as you and judging them if they don't.

I didn't even read the rest of your post initially but I wish I had. How am I playing into a hyperaccelerated reality when I'm pointing out how quickly people become bored with something? My point is that because people are inundated with information at a rate beyond what came before that people become "fatigued" with ideas and information faster. So, in the case of gay acceptance/tolerance etc., people have this knee jerk apathetic response like, "pfftt...I read about that a year ago, it's old news!" when the truth is that changes in our society in attitudes take a long time to change and move forward.

Second terrible analogy incoming: This would be like 5 years after segregation was prohibited and public schools were integrated people were like, "pffft....big deal, why is it news that blah blah blah".

I was pointing out with a decade old statistic how much has changed, and yet how much really hasn't also.

That was a full explanation of my post that I can't believe I had to explain to you.

Also, I have no problem being "closemided" or whatever you want to call it when it comes to the flip side of this issue, because there's not a single reasonable argument to be made for either taking issue with how someone else chooses to live their life when they're clearly not harming anyone else, or by actively trying to deny someone form being who they are.

in closing, you're not too good at that there readin bud.

 

[Gr0mo]

Same exact note as above - there are not certain groups of people who are entitled to discuss certain issues. Any conclusion formed by anyone is valid or invalid on its own merits, and the personal experience or characteristics of the individual expressing that conclusion has absolutely fuck all to do with it. Hearing what experiences have informed your views is helpful but the fact that someone else hasn't had similar experiences has nothing to do with their ability to speak on any subject.

wut?

I'm pretty sure peoples personal experiences is what constitutes them as an expert on a subject? we don't call politicians experts on global warming because they have be briefed by scientists and ready the reports.

We call the scientists experts because they are the guys actually spending time in the lab.... you know getting FIRST HAND experience?

 

[RIP_leos_shack]

Yeah but where do you draw the line, there words and most of the time to not being directed at the person. Having red hair after that South Park episode came out I was called a fire crotch ginger and had no soul on and off the mountain. Doesn't necessarily mean people don't accept me for having red hair. I mean saying something like that helmet looks gay, I really don't see it as oh no I'll never be accepted for who I am. We are getting to a fine line and society and I start to see it as a problem when people want to limit what other people's words are. At the end of the day I think anybody can say anything about anyone no matter where they are good or bad. Just my .02 cents please downvote for freedom of speech.

Sure you're entitled to free speech and you can say "that helmet is gay" all you want. Being gay and out for a few years, I'm able to brush this off and just say, "Well aren't you an immature prick, maybe you should come up with a better word." But for anyone struggling to accept themselves and come out (and with the main demographic of NS 13-18 year old guys, I'm willing to bet there's more than a few out there), those words only hurt their self esteem more and make them feel even less accepted. Someone who's in the closet isn't going to stand up to that for fear of outing themselves and being subject to more ridicule and harassment.

 

[Mingg]

On the topic of word choice and stuff. I just don't get it. I know it sucks when people use derogatory terms. I completely understand that it is wrong, but you really think telling someone it's wrong is going to change much?

My family and I are referred to as dago's in our town because of where we come from. It sucks! I totally get it, but telling other people to not use a word or trying to get them to change, it's not easy and you often can't change someone else. Especially in such a conservative area.

I've learned to look at it differently. Someone calls me a fucking dago? Sweet. Hell yeah! I'm an Italian Immigrant and I'm damn proud of it. My family gave up a fuck ton to come here, and they did it the right/legal way. Shit is awesome and I'm stoked on where I come from and where I am now. I have no control over peoples views but I can totally turn something negative into a positive thing. That goes a fuck ton farther than bitching at someone for attempting to offend me.

If you're gay, lesbian, bi, etc. fucking embrace it. Someone tries to put you down? Realize they have no reason to. Be proud of it, and stand up for yourself. You'll get much more respect doing so than if you try to lecture about how wrong it is to use such words.

With that said, I 100% agree that people should not use these kinds of words. Maybe soon it'll be more widely accepted and this kind of thing will be over with. But for now instead of letting it bother you, I feel like standing up for yourself and being proud goes way farther

 

[J.D.]

wut?

I'm pretty sure peoples personal experiences is what constitutes them as an expert on a subject? we don't call politicians experts on global warming because they have be briefed by scientists and ready the reports.

We call the scientists experts because they are the guys actually spending time in the lab.... you know getting FIRST HAND experience?

This is a fallacy. Scientists are not more or less right on global warming because they are scientists. They simply are either right or wrong, factually, and being scientists gives them certain tools to help them form correct conclusions.

If a politician says "I think A about global warming", and a scientist says "I think B about global warming", B might be correct - maybe it's even more likely to be correct - but if so, it's not because the speaker is a scientist. And if the politician instead said B, he would not be more or less correct simply because he's not a scientist.

Expertise is basically meaningless except to the extent it helps you get the right answer. It's not an end in itself.

 

[J.D.]

Also, your post basically misses the point, which is that you don't have to have a specific background of experience to be able to speak intelligently on any particular topic. It harms the ability to have rational discourse when people's opinions are discounted because of something about them. For someone to suggest, for example, "my opinion on gay rights is inherently more valid than yours because I'm gay and you're not so you don't know what it's like" is utter bullshit.

 

[theabortionator]

On the topic of word choice and stuff. I just don't get it. I know it sucks when people use derogatory terms. I completely understand that it is wrong, but you really think telling someone it's wrong is going to change much?

My family and I are referred to as dago's in our town because of where we come from. It sucks! I totally get it, but telling other people to not use a word or trying to get them to change, it's not easy and you often can't change someone else. Especially in such a conservative area.

I've learned to look at it differently. Someone calls me a fucking dago? Sweet. Hell yeah! I'm an Italian Immigrant and I'm damn proud of it. My family gave up a fuck ton to come here, and they did it the right/legal way. Shit is awesome and I'm stoked on where I come from and where I am now. I have no control over peoples views but I can totally turn something negative into a positive thing. That goes a fuck ton farther than bitching at someone for attempting to offend me.

If you're gay, lesbian, bi, etc. fucking embrace it. Someone tries to put you down? Realize they have no reason to. Be proud of it, and stand up for yourself. You'll get much more respect doing so than if you try to lecture about how wrong it is to use such words.

With that said, I 100% agree that people should not use these kinds of words. Maybe soon it'll be more widely accepted and this kind of thing will be over with. But for now instead of letting it bother you, I feel like standing up for yourself and being proud goes way farther

It might not change immediately(And wont), but over tome things really do change.

Also I don't think it's really as easy as saying "don't let it bother you". For some people maybe, but others not so much.

Regardless I hope we continue to see progress. Unfortunately just because things get better, doesn't mean the bigots go away. Look at the situation with racism. Sure people aren't getting lynched regularly, but we are still a very long way away from it being a non issue.

 

[90053]

But that's my point words only have the power that you give them.

Yes and society has predetermined to those words negative connotations so fine by you if you want to use them but understand that people will and should take offence. You'd be stupid to think otherwise.

 

[Mingg]

It might not change immediately(And wont), but over tome things really do change.

Also I don't think it's really as easy as saying "don't let it bother you". For some people maybe, but others not so much.

Regardless I hope we continue to see progress. Unfortunately just because things get better, doesn't mean the bigots go away. Look at the situation with racism. Sure people aren't getting lynched regularly, but we are still a very long way away from it being a non issue.

Agreed. It's a process but in my opinion I see it moving forward. It's a tough thing to live with and I can't pretend I know what it's like since gay and all those terms are used quite a lot.

 

[90053]

Yes and society has predetermined to those words negative connotations so fine by you if you want to use them but understand that people will and should take offence. You'd be stupid to think otherwise.

by that i mean, if you say something bad or uncool is gay people have every reason to think you're homophobic because you have the understanding that applying negative value to the word is wrong

 

[deleted5]

10/10 for sources for red hair discrimination lawsuits.

And two wrongs don't make a right. Just because you got called a ginger at school doesn't mean you can go around using the term gay to describe everything you don't like. And if you do choose to use the word gay openly don't get all pissy when people call you out on it.

And as far as the words only have as much power as you give them argument. Homophobes are going to homophobes regardless of whether or not the general public use the word gay to describe something. But this discussion isn't about homophobes. It's about how in the closet gays are scared by whether or not they will be accepted by their friends and family when their friends and family are using the word gay as an insult.

O see where your coming from, even though people with red hair have been made fun of I'm not comparing it at all to be gay. If free speech is only speech you like it's not free speech. People have a right to be stupid and say things I don't agree with, but I think people need to make a distinction between calling something gay and discriminating and not accepting people for who they are. It's a word and telling people they can't say gay its just going to make teenagers and younger demographics say it more.

I think the issues people like you are victimizing gay people when instead you should be empowering them. I think Society should change the meaning of the word, if it bothers people that much. That would honestly be easier than getting everybody to stop saying a word. You don't have moral superiority and can dictate what other people can say. I'm not saying I support people using the word, but I support the right for people to say it.

And shout out to the skier who quoted me that was a nice perspectives.

 

[cobra_commander]

the comments on Gus's Instagram are the best of this.

Its 60% of folks that are stoked for him.

its 30% girls who are crushed

and 10% dudes asking about netflix and chill

 

[John18_6]

the comments on Gus's Instagram

The comments on ESPN's Twitter post are so hypocritical because Gus isn't USA FOOTBALL USA SPORTS BASKETBALL SPORTS AMERICA

The majority of members of ESPN's fanbase are probably the most boring people on the planet in my opinion. Fricken Todds.

 

[faux_real]

To all the people down voting comments with a joke in them.

If this was any other thread everyone would be making jokes. Its important to treat everyone the same.

No. You would not be making jokes in a thread about an athlete dying. Some threads have more gravity than others. They're not all the same. Gus coming out is a big fucking deal. Gus living in the closet all these years, being miserable, being suicidal at times when he's living what for you or me would be the dream life--that's some heavy shit. Too heavy for lots of NSers. Or beyond their comprehension. So they crack dumb jokes. But read the full ESPN article. Take in what he's saying. Imagine what that would be like. Now think about what you might do differently, realizing that other people around you, on this website for example, are probably where Gus was a year ago, in the closet. What can you do to make the world a place where they can come out and not be miserable? What will you say the next time someone calls something gay or someone a faggot?

Gus has called out skiing and action sports for being plagued by a lame, homogeneous, homophobic bro culture. Good for him. Let's think about what he said and make it different.

 

[NBCskier]

called this years ago. my gaydar was ringing through the interwebz. That being said, he will make tons of money by coming out.

 

[gravel]

Just... no. Fuck your identity politics, dude, don't you know how much this screws up the whole political process? With this attitude, you're actually somehow managing to be part of the problem.

Same exact note as above - there are not certain groups of people who are entitled to discuss certain issues. Any conclusion formed by anyone is valid or invalid on its own merits, and the personal experience or characteristics of the individual expressing that conclusion has absolutely fuck all to do with it. Hearing what experiences have informed your views is helpful but the fact that someone else hasn't had similar experiences has nothing to do with their ability to speak on any subject.

My views on the ethics of abortion are no more or less valid because I'm not a woman; my views on the death penalty aren't more or less valid because I've never been on death row.

How can both "sides" of this "debate" manage to get this so completely screwed up?

Never thought about it this way. I can't say I necessarily fully agree with you depending on the context of a situation, but I appreciate some different insight.

 

[S.J.W]

O see where your coming from, even though people with red hair have been made fun of I'm not comparing it at all to be gay. If free speech is only speech you like it's not free speech. People have a right to be stupid and say things I don't agree with, but I think people need to make a distinction between calling something gay and discriminating and not accepting people for who they are. It's a word and telling people they can't say gay its just going to make teenagers and younger demographics say it more.

I think the issues people like you are victimizing gay people when instead you should be empowering them. I think Society should change the meaning of the word, if it bothers people that much. That would honestly be easier than getting everybody to stop saying a word. You don't have moral superiority and can dictate what other people can say. I'm not saying I support people using the word, but I support the right for people to say it.

And shout out to the skier who quoted me that was a nice perspectives.

Free speech was created so people could talk about the government, religion and other controversial topics without fear of persecution from the government. Free speech really shouldn't be applied to anyone who wishes to use hateful comments. But that's a discussion for a different day.

I'm not saying you can't use gay as a verb. I'm saying don't because your words have much larger repercussions than just describing something you don't like. And as far as kids wanting to say it more??? Kids use words they hear on TV and celebs say, if tv shows and celebs stopped using the word gay to describe something they don't like then no one is going to really use it. Look at on fleek, that is the dumbest fucking word ever, but idiots use it because celebrities use it.

And to your last point. We are empowering them to come out. But what you don't realise is that you can play mr tolerant all you want but if you use the term gay to describe something then that puts doubt in a person's mind to really if you will accept them. Back to Gus Kenworthy, he was so scared to come out because people in the skiing community used gay to describe stuff they didn't like.

And to my final point. You think changing the meaning of a word is more realistic than just having people stop using a word?

 

[S.J.W]

O see where your coming from, even though people with red hair have been made fun of I'm not comparing it at all to be gay. If free speech is only speech you like it's not free speech. People have a right to be stupid and say things I don't agree with, but I think people need to make a distinction between calling something gay and discriminating and not accepting people for who they are. It's a word and telling people they can't say gay its just going to make teenagers and younger demographics say it more.

I think the issues people like you are victimizing gay people when instead you should be empowering them. I think Society should change the meaning of the word, if it bothers people that much. That would honestly be easier than getting everybody to stop saying a word. You don't have moral superiority and can dictate what other people can say. I'm not saying I support people using the word, but I support the right for people to say it.

And shout out to the skier who quoted me that was a nice perspectives.

Free speech was created so people could talk about the government, religion and other controversial topics without fear of persecution from the government. Free speech really shouldn't be applied to anyone who wishes to use hateful comments. But that's a discussion for a different day.

I'm not saying you can't use gay as a verb. I'm saying don't because your words have much larger repercussions than just describing something you don't like. And as far as kids wanting to say it more??? Kids use words they hear on TV and celebs say, if tv shows and celebs stopped using the word gay to describe something they don't like then no one is going to really use it. Look at on fleek, that is the dumbest fucking word ever, but idiots use it because celebrities use it.

And to your last point. We are empowering them to come out. But what you don't realise is that you can play mr tolerant all you want but if you use the term gay to describe something then that puts doubt in a person's mind to really if you will accept them. Back to Gus Kenworthy, he was so scared to come out because people in the skiing community used gay to describe stuff they didn't like.

And to my final point. You think changing the meaning of a word is more realistic than just having people stop using a word?

 

[cobra_commander]

No. You would not be making jokes in a thread about an athlete dying.

coming out as gay is not dying... The rest of your post is even dumber. Life is a lot more fun when you make jokes.

called this years ago. my gaydar was ringing through the interwebz. That being said, he will make tons of money by coming out.

If you didn't actually have to be gay to be gay, folks would pretend to be gay.

 

[deleted5]

Free speech was created so people could talk about the government, religion and other controversial topics without fear of persecution from the government. Free speech really shouldn't be applied to anyone who wishes to use hateful comments. But that's a discussion for a different day.

You are very wrong on that its to spread, be it religion, science, books, government or most importantly ideas, if you don't want to address free speech or save it for a later date then we cant have this discussion. No I think they are both an equal waste of time to charge or stooping a word from being spoken. I'm more concerned about human rights violation in other country, than i am about some gay Americans feelings on a ski mountain.

 

[deleted5]

You are very wrong on that its to spread,

and not be censored*

 

[KillaSeason]

Please, it's the 21st century, look at how many companies are coming out as "pro-gay" for publicity and support. I'm sure his sponsors will stand by him and support his decision.

yeah, exactly. Its the 21st century and homophobia is still a very relevant thing in todays society. Im not saying its gonna happen, I just wouldn't be surprised.

 

[deleted5]

yeah, exactly. Its the 21st century and homophobia is still a very relevant thing in todays society. Im not saying its gonna happen, I just wouldn't be surprised.

Why are we talking about homophobia in skiing? You know gay people are getting killed in other country's right? I can definitely see why Gus wouldn't want to come out before the RUSSIAN Olympics because of whats going on over there. if people really cared about gay rights that's where we need to start.

 

[KillaSeason]

Why are we talking about homophobia in skiing? You know gay people are getting killed in other country's right? I can definitely see why Gus wouldn't want to come out before the RUSSIAN Olympics because of whats going on over there. if people really cared about gay rights that's where we need to start.[/QUOTE

Dude what I was trying to say has literally nothing to do with what you're talking about. I was simply saying that homophobia still exists in corporate America and with as big of a name as Gus is I wouldn't be surprised if it happened. Nothing about homophobia in skiing or whatever the fuck you're trying to say lmao chill

 

[dun.Can]

No. You would not be making jokes in a thread about an athlete dying. Some threads have more gravity than others. They're not all the same. Gus coming out is a big fucking deal. Gus living in the closet all these years, being miserable, being suicidal at times when he's living what for you or me would be the dream life--that's some heavy shit. Too heavy for lots of NSers. Or beyond their comprehension. So they crack dumb jokes. But read the full ESPN article. Take in what he's saying. Imagine what that would be like. Now think about what you might do differently, realizing that other people around you, on this website for example, are probably where Gus was a year ago, in the closet. What can you do to make the world a place where they can come out and not be miserable? What will you say the next time someone calls something gay or someone a faggot?

Gus has called out skiing and action sports for being plagued by a lame, homogeneous, homophobic bro culture. Good for him. Let's think about what he said and make it different.

clearly you didn't read my whole post. I specifically said jokes that make fun of him for being gay are wrong but jokes that may just mearly include the fact that his is gay is not. If your best friend hooks up with an ugly chick, you will most likely make fun of him for this. If a gay person hooks up with an ugly person and you don't make fun of them because they are gay you are treating them differently then you would if they were straight. Gus is still the same person and can handle a joke that is just for fun. hopefully you understand what I was trying to say better!

 

[deleted5]

Why are we talking about homophobia in skiing? You know gay people are getting killed in other country's right? I can definitely see why Gus wouldn't want to come out before the RUSSIAN Olympics because of whats going on over there. if people really cared about gay rights that's where we need to start.[/QUOTE

Dude what I was trying to say has literally nothing to do with what you're talking about. I was simply saying that homophobia still exists in corporate America and with as big of a name as Gus is I wouldn't be surprised if it happened. Nothing about homophobia in skiing or whatever the fuck you're trying to say lmao chill

That wasn't really directed at you although I did quote you, more of a point to people taking a stand for a word that hurting feelings. Just putting it into perspective people get killed in other counties and places for being gay.

 

[bdarb207]

And to my final point. You think changing the meaning of a word is more realistic than just having people stop using a word?

150%. Though I mostly agree with all of your points.

N-word is a prime example. If you saturate the usage of the word with positive connotation, I think this is a much more achievable or realistic option. People still use the n word in a derogatory manner, but overwhelmingly I've heard it used positively. Whereas if you just asked people to stop saying it, the only thing left is the hate speech which isn't going anywhere.

 

[theabortionator]

^ Girls after reading the news.

Gus! Think about the children!

Torrents of tears were shred, posters ripped off walls and cast into dark corners to die, and many live ruined.

And for what?

For what?

 

[90053]

150%. Though I mostly agree with all of your points.

N-word is a prime example. If you saturate the usage of the word with positive connotation, I think this is a much more achievable or realistic option. People still use the n word in a derogatory manner, but overwhelmingly I've heard it used positively. Whereas if you just asked people to stop saying it, the only thing left is the hate speech which isn't going anywhere.

or cunt in australia

 

[tripnip]

Hell yea! thats awesome when i saw this yesterday i was so psyched and who knows maybe it will help to inspire some one who is looking up at him.

How ever on a negative note, i always thought growing up anything like this would have been perceived as awesome, brave ect. until I moved to Utah. Holy crap i was sitting next to an lds kid i ski with and i showed him the photo and instantly he got angry. its just upsetting that some people still adhere to their homophobic religious beliefs.

 

[S.J.W]

You are very wrong on that its to spread, be it religion, science, books, government or most importantly ideas, if you don't want to address free speech or save it for a later date then we cant have this discussion. No I think they are both an equal waste of time to charge or stooping a word from being spoken. I'm more concerned about human rights violation in other country, than i am about some gay Americans feelings on a ski mountain.

Okay we're going to have a freedom of speech discussion then? Freedom of speech is the dumbest thing ever. There is a clear difference between saying "I think the government is bad" and "fucking n*ggers, let's lynch those n*ggers". Hate speech should not be considered freedom of speech. In Australia we have freedom of political speech, so you can be fined for saying offensive things. And despite that we are still higher than America on the personal freedom index. We are not complaining about being censored and we recognize that instead of being a cunt, just replace one word with another word and maybe you won't ruin someones day. It's not rocket science, it's just about caring for other people.

 

[S.J.W]

150%. Though I mostly agree with all of your points.

N-word is a prime example. If you saturate the usage of the word with positive connotation, I think this is a much more achievable or realistic option. People still use the n word in a derogatory manner, but overwhelmingly I've heard it used positively. Whereas if you just asked people to stop saying it, the only thing left is the hate speech which isn't going anywhere.

N*gger is a much more controversial topic than calling something gay. It has a much more rooted evil than calling someone gay. That being said the black community took the word n*gger and made it somewhat positive. However, that is when a black person says it to another black person. When a white person says n*gger it's pretty damn laughable.

I also can't really see a way of how gay would ever really become positive in a verb sense.

 

[jpastor]

Terje Haakonsen is doing an Lifesteesmedia. The fall on this one is gonna be harder than 0 karma lol. #exlegend

https://twitter.com/terje_haakonsen/status/657490639647612928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Seriously fuck this guy. Hes been a piece of shit for a while now and this just solidified him as being one the most hated dudes in snowboarding. Congrats Terje, way to be an ass hole.

 

[FrenchFry]

The fact that this thread has so many fucking responses is upsetting haha. Who cares about sexuality,it shouldn't be such a big deal! lol like fuck! he's good a skiing and he's as good person! Gus Is an amazing skier,person,puppy lover, and loves life.

 

[faux_real]

coming out as gay is not dying... The rest of your post is even dumber. Life is a lot more fun when you make jokes.

If you didn't actually have to be gay to be gay, folks would pretend to be gay.

I'm pretty sure I remember you saying some ignorant homophobic shit on this site. I don't expect you to be moved by what Gus has to say. Troll on.

 

[PacificRimJob]

For the record, that happened in Wyoming.

He died in Ft. Collins? I just assumed that's where it happened? Or was he taken there to the hospital?

Doesn't matter. Wyoming is right there anyway, and the fact that such a bullshit thing can happen to anybody for any reason aside from being a Hitler Nazi murdering shitsucker. is atrocious.

 

[John18_6]

This thread is getting swamped with negativity and bickering because a few people who aren't comfortable seeing this story all over NS had to say so. Let's just take a step back and realize how awesome this is. Gus is the first big name in action sports to come out as gay, which has definitely got to take more balls than throwing a triple. It feels great to be a part of a community where essentially everyone is accepting and proud of him. You're a leader and a hero Gus!

 

[integralmgmt]

This thread is getting swamped with negativity and bickering because a few people who aren't comfortable seeing this story all over NS had to say so. Let's just take a step back and realize how awesome this is. Gus is the first big name in action sports to come out as gay, which has definitely got to take more balls than throwing a triple. It feels great to be a part of a community where essentially everyone is accepting and proud of him. You're a leader and a hero Gus!

For real. We're taking this away from him. it's so sad that Gus had to live the way he did for so long, but because of his courage this week, people won't have to endure what he did.

 

[theabortionator]

I encourage everyone who read the ESPN article on Gus to read this article from a few years ago

Gay Skaters - Why so few openly gay pros?
http://www.huckmagazine.com/perspectives/reportage-2/gay-skaters/

HUCK meets with Tim Von Werne, whose career was cut short under a veil of ‘controversy’, to find out why there's so few openly gay skaters.

 

[deleted5]

Okay we're going to have a freedom of speech discussion then? Freedom of speech is the dumbest thing ever. There is a clear difference between saying "I think the government is bad" and "fucking n*ggers, let's lynch those n*ggers". Hate speech should not be considered freedom of speech. In Australia we have freedom of political speech, so you can be fined for saying offensive things. And despite that we are still higher than America on the personal freedom index. We are not complaining about being censored and we recognize that instead of being a cunt, just replace one word with another word and maybe you won't ruin someones day. It's not rocket science, it's just about caring for other people.

So by your logic saying kill black people is the equivalent to, that that rail is so gay. Also you want to ban speech that you don't agree with because others feelding are more importiant then some ones freedom. Saying something looks gay is not hate speech offensive possibly hate speech no. And it's because of free speech you can say moronic things like "Freedom of speech is the dumbest thing ever." Freedom of speech is the right to criticize or question any idea however you see fit. Dumb, to you maybe to me it's not. You also want to ban the word bossy because it hurts girls feelings, and it scares me if someone like you was to ever come into power, because where does the ending of words begin and end? To believe that you can somehow dictate to other people what they can and can't say is a dangerous way of thinking, and I agree you shouldnt call something gay in a negative connotation, however that's just my personal belief. I'm not going to try to stop somebody from saying it.

 

[reBlocke]

For real. We're taking this away from him. it's so sad that Gus had to live the way he did for so long, but because of his courage this week, people won't have to endure what he did.

The bigger picture about this whole story isn't whether Gus is gay or not- as has been said, it's 2015 and it shouldn't matter in any substantive way whether someone is a homosexual. (Beyond being personally psyched for him for being true to himself and a role model)

But, it IS a big deal because Gus is literally THE ONLY prominent action sports athlete who has come out, while he's almost certainly not the only one who is homosexual. Sports in general, and action sports in particular, has a problem: there is a perception that the community wouldn't except a gay athlete. The article linked above makes good evidence that there is even explicit homophobia going on in the skateboarding industry, on top of the implicit homophobia mentioned in the ESPN article. It would be a shame to miss the opportunity to take a hard look at why it's been so hard for an action sports athlete to be openly gay (or openly 'different' in any way, really), and make the changes needed for a more accepting community. And while most folks haven't been hostile on the internet, it remains to be seen whether people will be more accepting and thoughtful in their actions in real life because of it. Do you think ESPN would air it if he kissed his boyfriend at X-games? I doubt it, and they've got no problem when someone gets a quick smooch from their girlfriend.

I think it's a mistake to consider the issue resolved or to think that a super-thread on NS would somehow disrespect all the suffering he went through. If anything, I feel like it'd be disrespectful to say "great job Gus" and then forget about the issue.

 

[Static]

He died in Ft. Collins? I just assumed that's where it happened? Or was he taken there to the hospital?

Doesn't matter. Wyoming is right there anyway, and the fact that such a bullshit thing can happen to anybody for any reason aside from being a Hitler Nazi murdering shitsucker. is atrocious.

He just died in Ft Collins. And it matters somewhat because Telluride is a super wealthy resort town, and ft Collins is a college town (the places you mentioned). Neither are really conservative compared to rural Colorado or Wyoming. Sure awful things could happen anywhere, but most people in Telluride and Ft Collins are probably neutral or supportive of gay rights.

 

[Brocka_Flocka]

Just lost a MASSIVE amount of respect for Terje after reading his tweets about Gus...

 

[theabortionator]

I know I definitely would

 

[PacificRimJob]

He just died in Ft Collins. And it matters somewhat because Telluride is a super wealthy resort town, and ft Collins is a college town (the places you mentioned). Neither are really conservative compared to rural Colorado or Wyoming. Sure awful things could happen anywhere, but most people in Telluride and Ft Collins are probably neutral or supportive of gay rights.

None of that matters though really... I'm sure the majority of people in Wyoming aren't interested in leaving a guy pistol whipped and tied to a fencepost either. You just need a couple of crazy fucks who spent too much time hearing that homosexuality is an abomination on sundays to lose their shit on a person for it to go all wrong. That's still probably the case today.

 

[PacificRimJob]

Just lost a MASSIVE amount of respect for Terje after reading his tweets about Gus...

Yeah, it looks like he was trying to make a stupid joke about the whole thing... basically pointing out that Europe has been accepting gays for a long time or whatever so there shouldn't be a big deal about it.

Sorry Terje, but just because Norway is tolerant doesn't mean the rest of the world is. Dude needs to get over himself. I kinda feel bad for Todd Richards being sorta thrown into this whole mess for literally no good reason.

 

[S.J.W]

So by your logic saying kill black people is the equivalent to, that that rail is so gay. Also you want to ban speech that you don't agree with because others feelding are more importiant then some ones freedom. Saying something looks gay is not hate speech offensive possibly hate speech no. And it's because of free speech you can say moronic things like "Freedom of speech is the dumbest thing ever." Freedom of speech is the right to criticize or question any idea however you see fit. Dumb, to you maybe to me it's not. You also want to ban the word bossy because it hurts girls feelings, and it scares me if someone like you was to ever come into power, because where does the ending of words begin and end? To believe that you can somehow dictate to other people what they can and can't say is a dangerous way of thinking, and I agree you shouldnt call something gay in a negative connotation, however that's just my personal belief. I'm not going to try to stop somebody from saying it.

Okay first things first.

I never said hate speech= saying something is gay

I never said I wanted to ban words like gay. I said just restrain from using them because words have bigger repercussions than you can imagine.

Bossy is a subject for a different day.

Stop using freedom of speech to justify saying rude things.

 

[deleted5]

Okay first things first.

I never said hate speech= saying something is gay

I never said I wanted to ban words like gay. I said just restrain from using them because words have bigger repercussions than you can imagine.

Bossy is a subject for a different day.

Stop using freedom of speech to justify saying rude things.

Yes you did you compared it to saying lynch n words. "Stop using freedom of speech to justify saying rude things." That's what it's for, if free speech it just speech you find ok then it's not free speech.

 

[Daph]

late to the party but just wanted to say I think this is super awesome and I am very stoked that he came out. I hope this leads to nothing but good things for him.