Gus Kenworthy Helped a College Student Come Out to His Family

John, a 20-year-old college student from Lancaster, Penn., had already come out to his friends but had yet to come out to his family; this all changed when out Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy and model Ashley Graham provided an assist on Ellen DeGeneres's web series Fearless.

“It’s kind of just tiring to always be pretending to be something else,” John said. “I’ve just struggled to actually say something. There’s been like two times when I’ve almost done it.”

The student confessed that he was terrified of not knowing how anyone would react when he came out, but that fear is magnified when it comes to his parents.

John told Graham he knew he was gay in seventh-grade but did not come out to anyone until after high school. In hindsight, he said he “made it really obvious” that he was into guys.

Graham told the student that she didn't know what it's like to come out, but knows secrets are a heavy burden. Because she had no experience coming out, she recruited Kenworthy to aid her in this situation.

Kenworthy came out last year on the cover of ESPN magazine and became one of the first Olympian contenders to do so. He muses that when he came out he knew nothing and everything would change.

With encouragement from Kenworthy and Graham, John dialed his parents.

“So basically, I’m just calling to tell you something that you maybe already know” he begins. “But I am out here in L.A. to come out to you guys.” He pauses nervously before actually saying the words, “I’m gay.”

“Oh, honey” his mother stated. “You know what? Like that is so fine. I love you.” “Love you too, buddy” his father interjects.

Kenworthy and Graham hug John then surprise him with the news that they flew out his parents from Pennsylvania. Kenworthy and Graham have one more surprise; they all get to go on Ellen’s talk show show and hang out with her.

Watch the video below: