Gay Olympian Feels Bad Adam Rippon Is Dealing With Anti-LGBTQ Politics

As the first twopublicly outgay men to win medals at theWinter Olympics, figure skaters Eric Radford andAdam Rippon have broken barriers andestablished legaciesthat will extend beyond the ice rink.

As a Canadian, however, Radford believes he has one major advantage over Rippon, who is American: He lives under a political administration that supports the LGBTQ community.

Ina Monday interview with TMZ, Radford pledged his ongoing support for Rippon, who hasmade headlinesseveral times in recent weeks fora high-profile tiffwith Vice President Mike Pence.

“I feel very lucky that I’m not Adam, and I don’t have to deal with that whole political side of things,” Radford, who nowplans to retirefrom competitive skating, said. “I got a call from [Prime Minister Justin Trudeau] ... He’s been so supportive and kind and nice.”

He then added, “I give all of my support to Adam and everything that he’s doing.”

After Radford and his skating partner, Meagan Duhamel,nabbed a gold medalin the team figure skating event Feb. 11, he said he’s received “some really, really touching messages” from closeted gay men who say that seeing a queer athlete living authentically in the spotlight “has helped make them feel a little better, and has helped sort of support them in a small way.”

Before the Winter Games officially wrap next Sunday, Radford said he was looking forward to reconnecting with Rippon at theOlympic Village’s Pride House to “soak up that really positive energy there.”

Here’s to hoping Adam takes him up on his invitation!

H/TTowleroad

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.