Arts & Entertainment
Gus Kenworthy gets candid about being out at the Olympics on ‘Ellen’
the Olympian also calls Mike Pence a ‘bad fit’ to lead the U.S. delegation
(Screenshot via YouTube.)
Gus Kenworthy sat down with Ellen DeGeneres on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” to discuss being out at this year’s Winter Olympics, the inspiration behind his Head & Shoulders ad and Vice President Mike Pence leading the U.S. delegation to the Olympics.
“It’s going to be a different experience than last time around because I’m not in the closet,” Kenworthy says of being out for the first time during the Olympic games. “I just want to meet as many athletes as I can, get to enjoy the opening and closing ceremonies, [and] hopefully ski the best I possibly can.”
Kenworthy revealed he finds Pence a “strange choice” to lead the U.S. team delegation, which includes Kenworthy and out figure skater Adam Rippon.
“To have somebody leading the delegation that [has] directly attacked the LGBTQ community just seems like a bad fit,” Kenworthy says. “I feel like the Olympics is all about inclusion and people coming together, and it seems like it’s not really doing that.”
The athlete also shared the meaning behind his Head & Shoulders commercial which features Kenworthy holding a rainbow flag and mentioning the LGBT community.
“When I was in the closet, I had so much pressure on my shoulders,” Kenworthy says.“When I came out, that was actually the first moment I felt relieved of those stresses. It really showed in my skiing.”
Catch Kenworthy competing at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea this month.
Watch the interview below.
The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at “The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia” at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
PHOTOS: The Audacity Brunch
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Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
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Calendar: June 12-18
Hundreds of thousands expected to attend D.C. Pride events
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Queen Jean is Tony’s first transgender winner
David Archuleta, Monroe Alise named D.C. Pride parade marshals
