Joe.My.God. LGBT News
Billboard Magazine reports:
The true star of the 2018 Winter Olympics was Team USA’s first openly gay figure skater, Adam Rippon. While the games might be over, Rippon is using his platform to talk about the issues that matter… and his love life. Rippon appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show today in his first interview since returning to the U.S. from South Korea.
DeGeneres asked the skater about his recent involvement with the Youth Engagement Program at GLAAD. “We’re getting these kids, and they’re becoming activists in their community,” the skater said.
“When I was young, to have had somebody out there to look up to… it would have made a world of difference, it would have changed my life. Rippon also added that today, one in five kids identify as LGBTQ. “So look to your left, look to your right, and if no one is gay, you’re probably the one,” he said, laughing.
From his fundraising page:
This year, I attended the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang as an openly LGBTQ American athlete. I’m proud to have represented my country authentically as exactly who I am. I want others to be able to show up to life exactly as they are. This is why I’ve started a fundraiser for GLAAD – because they are fighting for a world where every LGBTQ young person can be accepted and loved exactly as they are.
I want to give back to GLAAD by raising money to support their LGBTQ youth programing. GLAAD’s research uncovered that 20% of young people ages 18-34 identify as LGBTQ, and because of this they’ve created several programs that empower LGBTQ youth to tell their stories, produce dynamic web content and events, and receive high-level advocacy and media training. GLAAD’s youth programs foster courage, confidence and acceptance.
Will you join me to advance equality and accelerate acceptance for LGBTQ youth? Donate now and help make a difference. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.