Out Olympian Gus Kenworthy and Boyfriend Share Historic Kiss (Video)

Representation Matters

Openly-gay silver medalist Gus Kenworthy, one of the two openly-gay men competing for Team USA in the Winter Olympics, shared a historic kiss with his boyfriend Matthew Wilkas on live television during this year’s games.

“In a sign of change from NBC in dealing with gay athletes,” OutSports reported Sunday, “the network showed the couple kissing before Kenworthy competed and the commentators referred to Wilkas as Kenworthy’s boyfriend.”

“It’s something I was too scared to do for myself,” Kenworthy said afterward. “To be able to do that, to give him a kiss, to have that affection broadcast to the world, is incredible. The only way to really change perceptions, to break down barriers, break down homophobia, is through representation.”

“That’s definitely not something I had as a kid,” he continued. “I never saw a gay athlete kissing their boyfriend at the Olympics. I think if I had, it would’ve made it easier for me.”

Ahead of the competition, Kenworthy shared his excitement that his “Seoul mate” was with him at this year’s games:

Twitter quickly celebrated their moment:

“That was like a peck,” Wilkas told TIME with a laugh. “We should have made out in front of people.”

“It’s unusual, right?” he reflected further. “It’s good that it’s televised because it normalizes it more. I would imagine it would be a huge moment for a young gay kid to see an awesome athlete so open and proud of himself and not caring what anyone thinks of his sexuality.”

The couple’s happy moment follows a string of controversies surrounding notoriously anti-LGBT Mike Pence. You can check out NCRM’s related coverage below:

‘Eat Your Heart Out, Pence’: Out Olympians Celebrate 2018 Winter ‘Gaymes’

Second Openly-Gay Competitor: ‘It’s Unfortunate’ Mike Pence Will Lead Winter Olympics U.S. Delegation

Pence Calls Charge He Supported Conversion Therapy ‘#FAKENEWS’ in Riff Over Adam Rippon Interview