When world champion free skier Gus Kenworthy came out, he did so in a big way, on the cover of ESPN. Of course, that doesn’t mean he did so without trepidation. While he’d come out to some close friends and family in the lead-up to his announcement in ESPN, he’d always thought being public about who he was would have to wait until after he career was over. Instead, the Olympic silver medalist decided to be the first openly gay action sports athlete.
Nearly two years since his historic announcement, and in honor of this year’s pride festivities, Kenworthy sat down with Tyler Oakley to discuss what he went through coming out and how his life has changed since.
In a twist he didn’t expect, the homophobia in his sport—that had made him fear coming out in the first place—actually subsided because he told the wider world he was gay.
“To me, I thought my sport was so homophobic because everyone called everything that was bad ‘gay.’ ‘That’s so gay’ or ‘The judges are being so gay right now.’ As soon as I came out and there was someone gay in the industry, they realized it wasn’t cool and it just stopped,” Kenworthy says. “Stereotypes that get perpetuated get stopped once there’s representation.”
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.