Queer people are constantly being told to stop overreacting to society’s rampant homophobia. After all, we have marriage equality (sort of), what more could we want?
Meanwhile, ask any gay or bisexual person if the world feels fully embracing of them and you will get a resounding, “Uh…no.”
Olympic medalist Gus Kenworthy summed up the experience of being told that homophobia is still alive and well in 2018 when we all know full well that it is with a tweet highlighting some of the hate that comes his way as a high profile gay man.
Kenworthy shared some comments he has received on his YouTube videos, and they are full of anti-gay slurs and people telling him to die.
He contrasted the comments with “Them” saying, “It’s 2018 nobody cares that you’re gay. Homophobia doesn’t exist anymore. Get over yourself.” He then showed a small example of just how rabidly anti-gay the world can still be, yes, even in 2018.
Them: It's 2018 nobody cares that you're gay. Homophobia doesn't exist anymore. Get over yourself.
— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) February 27, 2018
My YouTube notifications: pic.twitter.com/moASu15TR4
Kenworthy came out in 2015. He said ahead of the Games in South Korea that competing in his first Olympics since coming out was going to make the Games that much sweeter. He won a silver in Russia in 2014.
YouTube tweeted out an apology to Kenworthy, noting that it is working on doing a better job at keeping out these types of abusive comments.
This is unacceptable, we’re so sorry these comments and notifications came through to you. We’re actively working to fix this so you won't see or be notified of abusive comments and exploring more ways to protect people from abusive comments overall.
— TeamYouTube (@TeamYouTube) February 28, 2018
Kenworthy thanked YouTube, and suggested better filtering, and noted that, while he’s “confident enough to brush it off…a younger me would have had a harder time.
Thank you YouTube! Maybe consider filtering out keywords and phrases like "faggot" and "kill yourself" so that they just never show up in anyone's comments? I'm confident enough to brush it off but a younger me would have had a harder time. https://t.co/9Iugwoev1q
— Gus Kenworthy (@guskenworthy) February 28, 2018
LGB youth are nearly five times more likely to have attempted suicide as their heterosexual counterparts, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
YouTube wasn’t the only one who apologized to Kenworthy for having to be exposed to hateful comments. Chelsea Clinton also sent a tweet his way. She also thanked him for representing the USA well, “on and off skis.”
I am so sorry Gus you are dealing with this. All those vile comments reflect on the people making them, not you. Thank you for always representing #TeamUSA so well, on and off skis.
— Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) February 28, 2018
Perhaps indeed YouTube and all the other so-called social media should put up filters to block homophobia and homophobic comments, it may deter the pieces of filth when they know that their hate and hatred will not be shown…. On the other hand though, a lot of gays feel strengthened by the fact that there’s sort of equal marriage, reality shows that the equal marriage that is is nothing more then a lie, there’s no real equal marriage! Would it not be better to expose all those homophobes, those haters and hatred spreading, often religious bigots? Yes, it’ll hurt those who just found the courage to come out, but with all the shown hate and hatred would it not strengthen all more when we see who’s opposing, who’s fighting us? YouTube and the rest of Socail media should perhaps publish the email-addresses and real names of thsoe posting homophobic trash and hatred! So everyone knows who’s who! And who’s what! So their neighbors know they are sickos, scum of the street, rubbish, lowlifes! Let the world know’s who and what they stand for! And retaliate! My opinion!
As always, a very inciteful and thought worthy post. Love Kenworthy and his positions on queer representation but what this highlights rather well is how we often miss the boat when it comes to understanding others.