America’s first openly gay athlete to win a medal at the Winter Olympics now wants a “Rainbow Wave” on election day.
Adam Rippon, who took on Vice President Mike Pence earlier this year, is now pushing Americans to get registered to vote before November.
“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,” Rippon says in a video. “In 20GayTeen, Democrats have nominated more LGBTQ candidates than ever before.”
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
According to the DNC, 21 openly LGBTQ people have won Democratic primaries for federal office across 14 different states. At least 9 non-incumbents have won Democratic primaries for statewide/territory office, and 13 openly LGBTQ people won Democratic primaries for statewide office across 12 states.
“Take five minutes, and go to IWillVote.com, and commit to vote this November,” said Rippon. “The Rainbow Wave can only happen if you’re a part of it.”
In April, Rippon and fellow gay Olympian Gus Kenworthy both boycotted the White House reception for Winter Olympians.
“I think that my spat with Mike Pence, if anything, shows that I want to be involved in politics,” Rippon told The Advocate. “I’ve always been passionate about it, I think it’s really fascinating. As somebody who came from the figure skating world that has its own set of drama, politics is a whole new level of drama. It’s so much fun, and interesting to get involved and learn about and see the process. But I have seen this younger generation, even younger than me, getting involved in politics and making a huge difference within their communities. You see people really taking a step forward to do a lot. I think it’s so cool, and I want to be a part of that movement, to get so many people involved. Because it’s so important, now more than ever.”