Can you discuss what the most challenging part of self-acceptance was for you, and how you overcame it? I think it was dealing with the guilt at first. I tried everything to force myself to be heterosexual and I think the lack of control over those feelings also created a ton of anxiety for me. It really was meeting Paul and eventually learning there was a whole LGBT community out there that helped me to accept myself.


I just did a press event around Love, Simon the film and there is a wonderful line in it between Simon (the gay kid the film is about) and his mother where she describes knowing he’s had a secret. “These last years, it’s almost like I can feel you holding your breath. You are still you, Simon.” I haven’t heard a better description of what the experience of being closeted is like. Can you talk about what it was like for you with your family and being gay? I hated hiding secrets from my parents, but


Skating was always there for me. It was a constant in my life through everything, not only


when I was younger, but now as well.”


skating and music have been creative outlets and allowed me to express myself a lot. I also believe that being surrounded by great friends as I made my way through the sport, helped me accept and become the person I am.


Winning Gold must have been particularly satisfying as an out LGBT Olympian and somewhat


vindicating. Can you talk about what it felt like standing on the


podium with Meagan Duhamel? It was an incredible moment and when the anthem


I was so afraid of disappointing them. I still remember moments when my mom would ask me “When are you going to meet a girl and settle down?” and in my head I was like “Oh boy, if you only knew.” But in the end, my parents were relentlessly supportive and amazing about everything. Interestingly, it was my brother I had the most difficulty telling. In fact, I didn’t actually tell him, my mom did. It wasn’t until later on I learned he


was actually quite hurt that I felt like I couldn’t tell him. My brother and I became a lot closer after that.


You have been an athlete most of your life


from what I read. I am curious to know how much finding figure skating and honing your


craft has been your pathway to liberation? Skating was always there for me. It was a constant


in my life through everything, not only when I was younger, but now as well. And through all the ups and downs of my skating career my piano and music were also there for me. Both


started to play I cried. It’s in those moments that I look back and truly realize it was all worth it. You will always have the distinction of being the first LGBT Canadian to win a gold medal. What does that mean to you? I didn’t even realize it until I read it on twitter!


When I did read it though I felt a burst of pride. I re- ally feel fortunate and lucky to have this distinction. Best part of the Olympic experience? Sharing in my fellow teammates Olympic moments whether good or bad. Life must seem like such a whirlwind over the course of the last months. Are there any stories and/or experiences that stand out to you? Things that made you think, “I am not in Kansas anymore?” Well, I am sitting in Sydney airport as I write


this, and I have no idea what time it is! That in itself feels surreal. Coming home after the Olympics and hearing everybody’s stories about where they were and how they reacted during our performances is special. You don’t get a feeling of the scope of it all until you get home. What are your plans going forward? Will you continue to compete? We have retired from competition. We look forward to performing in shows for as long as we can and I am looking to pursue my music career with the same focus that I did with skating. I want to see how far I can go.


APRIL 2018 | RAGE monthly 21


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56