Gay US Olympic skier says he would not go to the White House if invited

U.S. Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy said Thursday that he would not go to the White House if invited.

In an interview on “CBS This Morning,” Kenworthy, one of the first two openly gay men to represent the U.S. at the Winter Olympics, said he had “no patience” for the administration’s actions “attacking” the LGBT community.

“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,” he said.

His comments appear to reference claims that Vice President Pence supported “gay conversion therapy,” which Pence’s office has denied.

{mosads}Kenworthy earlier this month called Pence a “bad fit” to lead the U.S. delegation to Pyeongchang, South Korea.

“I am so proud to be from the U.S. and to be from a country where you are able to voice your political opinions and stand up for what you believe in,” Kenworthy said on CBS on Thursday.

Kenworthy joins Adam Rippon, a figure skater who was the first openly gay man named to the Winter Olympic team, in his opposition to Pence and the Trump administration. Rippon said earlier this week that he would boycott a visit to the White House.

Rippon has been outspoken about his views on Pence since he was named to the U.S. Olympic team last month, prompting a back-and-forth with the vice president’s office after reports that Rippon declined a meeting with Pence. The vice president responded on Twitter, writing that the report was “fake news.”

Headed to the Olympics to cheer on #TeamUSA. One reporter trying to distort 18 yr old nonstory to sow seeds of division. We won’t let that happen! #FAKENEWS. Our athletes are the best in the world and we are for ALL of them! #TEAMUSA

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) February 8, 2018

Rippon and Kenworthy shared a photo on Instagram earlier this month proclaiming their support for “TeamUSGay” and writing “Eat your heart out, Pence” in a hashtag.