Gay Olympian Adam Rippon says he ‘wouldn’t be welcome’ at the White House
The figure skater has said he'll refuse Donald Trump's White House invitation
Gay Olympian Adam Rippon has claimed he wouldn’t be welcome at the White House.
The figure skater, who made history after being the first openly gay man to qualify for the US Winter Olympics, revealed his thoughts on the Trump administration in a new interview.
US team members traditionally receive invitations to the White House after the Olympics, but Rippon says he won’t accept his.
Speaking to BBC, he said: “Athletes are given a really special platform. It’s our duty, as athletes, to be role models.”
He continued: “I won’t go to the White House.”
“I don’t think somebody like me would be welcome there. I know what it’s like to go into a room and feel like you’re not wanted there.
“Given this platform of being an Olympic athlete, I think it’s really important that we stand up for what we believe in and we speak out against things that we think are wrong and unjust. If I talked to people the way that President Trump talks to people, my mum would kick my ass.”
Rippon, who came out publicly in October 2015, hasn’t been the only gay athlete to turn down a White House invitation as Olympic freestyle skier Gus Kenworthy also said he’d refuse Trump’s White House invitation.