February is over and that means the Winter Olympics have once again come and gone. However, this year happened to be a bit more exciting for Team USA with two openly gay male athletes representing the nation.
Skier Gus Kenworthy and figure skater Adam Rippon showcased their friendship and pride for both themselves and their country at the 2018 PyeongChang Open Ceremonies with an iconic kiss on the cheek that won over the hearts of America.
While there has not been any kissing on the cheeks here at Milligan, the same sense of identity and pride can be found amongst our student athletes both on the field and in the pool.
Sophomore Graham Denton and freshman Eva Bower both identify with the LGBTQ community and are successful student-athletes here at Milligan. Denton is a member of the men’s swim team and Bower is on the women’s soccer team.
“When I came out I thought I was going to have a Hallmark ‘movie moment,’ but all my friends just laughed and said they already knew,” Denton said, jokingly.
Denton and Bower both agree their sexual orientation is a major part of who they are, but it is not the most important thing. For them, their results in the pool and on the field mean a lot too.
It is inevitable that there are varying beliefs and opinions concerning homosexuality, particularly on a Christian campus. Fortunately, for Bower, her team has been more than understanding when it comes to her sexual orientation.
“It’s easier for females, especially playing soccer, because it’s not that uncommon,” Bower said. “My teammates and coaches at Milligan know what they believe, but they understand and respect me.”
For Denton, being a gay athlete has not always been a dream come true. Swimming can be an especially emasculating sport, with men wearing nothing more than a speedo and their goggles. Denton explains that it is easy for male swimmers to feel insecure about themselves for not playing a more “manly” sport such as football or baseball, and they have to compensate for themselves.
“If I’m being honest, I’ve experienced some ignorance from the swim team,” Denton said. “It’s not that anyone intended to be hurtful, they just didn’t realize it was being interpreted that way.”
Both Bower and Denton look at the openly gay winter Olympic athletes as inspirations. Denton describes it as “empowering” to have athletes like Kenworthy and Rippon to look up to, especially for those who feel judged and incapable of competing due to their orientation.
“It shouldn’t have to be a big deal, but it is,” Bower said. “We should focus on their athleticism, but (the athletes) are also using this as a platform and that’s really awesome. I would have loved to have all of these badass athletes to look up to when I was growing up.”
All in all, both Denton and Bower have enjoyed their time at Milligan and have no intentions of taking their athletic talents anywhere else. Being openly gay on campus has not caused either of them harm but has caused for some political pushback.
“Some people are genuinely just curious about (homosexuality),” Bower said. “If curiosity is their default, I think things are starting to get better and more progressive.”
Denton’s experiences have been similar to Bower’s on campus and on the pool deck.
“Though there has been some ignorance, I overlook it because everyone has questions,” he said. “People don’t comprehend subjects they don’t understand, like homosexuality, even though they want to.”
Whether it’s for the “badass women” or the empowerment that comes with it, both Bower and Denton are thankful for the inspiration that Team USA has provided them with this winter and hope to do the same for other Milligan students in the future.
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Editor’s note: The headline has been edited.