Gay Olympian Adam Rippon wants a Democratic ‘Rainbow Wave’ to sweep US midterm elections
US Olympic figure skating gold medalist Adam Rippon speaks at a rally calling on Sen. Jeff Flake to reject Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court on October 1, 2018 (Scott Eisen/Getty)
US Olympian Adam Rippon has urged LGBT+ people to back the Democrats in November’s midterm elections.
The athlete filmed an ad, released on Monday, in which he urged people to back the Democrats’ Rainbow Wave of LGBT+ candidates and allies in the November 6 midterms.
The figure skater became a household name at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, as Rippon publicly feuded with Vice President Mike Pence and challenged the politician’s extensive anti-LGBT record.
Adam Rippon of the United States competes during the Men’s Single Skating Short Program at Gangneung Ice Arena on February 16, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Harry How/Getty)Rippon said: “Earlier this year I made history when I became the first openly gay US athlete to win a medal at the Winter Olympics, but I’m not going to be the only LGBTQ person to make history this year, and you have a chance to be a part of it.
“In 20GayTeen, Democrats have nominated more LGBTQ candidates than ever before. I’m talking about queens on the ballot for statewide, federal and state legislative seats across the country.
“So take five minutes, and go to IWillVote.com, and commit to vote this November.
“The Rainbow Wave can only happen if you’re a part of it.”
Olympic medalist @adaripp has an important message: “The rainbow wave can only happen if you’re a part of it.” RT if you’re fired up to mobilize, organize, and get out the vote! #IWillVote pic.twitter.com/oOFmv8kUXh
— The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) October 1, 2018
Coinciding with the ad, the Democrats also put out a release marking LGBT History Month, which is celebrated in October in the US.
Democratic National Committee (DNC) chair Tom Perez said: “LGBTQ History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions LGBTQ Americans have made throughout our nation’s history.
“From science and civil rights to art and athletics, LGBTQ Americans have pioneered progress across our society and moved our nation closer to fulfilling its founding promise of equality for all people – no matter who they love or how they identify.
“As the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers continue to attack the rights of LGBTQ communities, the Democratic Party believes that no one should face discrimination, bullying, or violence because of who they are.
“With just over a month before the most important election of our lifetime, the DNC is proud to support LGBTQ candidates across the country who are running in historic numbers to be advocates for their communities. And we will never stop fighting for the equality and dignity every human being deserves.”
In April, Rippon and fellow gay Olympian Gus Kenworthy both boycotted the White House reception for Winter Olympians.
Rippon said: “Olympians from the 2018 Games have been invited to go to the White House today. I will not be going. I will not stand with people who discriminate against those that they perceive as different.
“In lieu of going to DC, I have donated to a few of my favorite causes.”
Olympic figure skating medalist Adam Rippon speaks at a rally calling on Sen. Jeff Flake (Scott Eisen/Getty)
He added: “I have been invited to so many incredible things, to the Human Rights Campaign dinner, the GLAAD Media Awards. I was so honored and so excited to go to those, more so than I would be to go to the White House.
“I feel like it was more important for me to go to those events because it’s a cause that I really believe in, it’s a message that I believe in. It’s important for me to align myself with those people who have the same ideals that I have.”
Kenworthy added: “When we have people elected into office that believe in conversion therapy and are trying to strip trans rights in the military and do these things that are directly attacking the LGBT community, I have no patience.
“I think that when you have a platform, you have to use it, especially if you feel very strongly about something.”
At the Winter Olympics in February, Kenworthy took a potshot at the administration by donning a ‘Make America Gay Again’ hat on top of his official Winter Olympic uniform.
