I am profoundly disappointed with the older generation of the ski racing world.

As a former ski racer who graduated from Burke Mountain Academy and had an unsuccessful three year stint on the Colby Alpine Ski Team, I have been voluntarily, even proudly, submersed in the ski racing world for as long as I can remember.

It turns out I had too much faith in our community, especially our adults.

One day ago, Ski Racing Magazine released a beautifully written article by Karina Schwartznau about Hig Robert’s journey of coming out as gay as a ski racer. This article was intended to shine a much needed light on the struggle of being LGBTQ+ in the ski racing community, and while it did that, it also brought out a very ugly side of our little insular world. The Facebook forum was riddled with homophobic comments that were made by adults (mainly men), leaving the kids and young adults to advocate for and defend Hig as well as the LGBTQ+ community. This is a problem.

The ski community is a very privileged group. We are a wealthy and predominantly white (or at least white passing) group of people. Because of this, we have less experience with oppressive social and societal forces. Our white privilege and socioeconomic status have allowed us to overlook some of the major issues that exist within our exclusive community. One such problem was brought up in the article released by Ski Racing Magazine about Hig Roberts: homophobia.

Toxic masculinity is rampant throughout ski racing culture, causing the men in this sport to feel like they have to hide anything that could make them less masculine or appear “weak.” This includes deviating from the expectation that “real” men are heterosexual, thus creating a culture of homophobia.

If you don’t believe me, ask yourself why Hig Roberts is the first high profile male ski racer to come out as gay to the public. Is it because he’s the first elite male ski racer to prefer men as romantic partners over women, or is it because he was the first gay man to choose to use his platform for the purpose of education regarding the LGBTQ+ community in ski racing? Spoiler alert: it’s probably the latter.

Hig – we don’t know each other, but I want to thank you. You have done a wonderful thing here, you have started a movement. I am so sorry that there has been negative feedback, but you have provided a platform to combat it. You’re an inspiration and it is clear that you are an incredible role model, and that you are loved.

To the people who wrote comments on Facebook along the lines of: “who cares.,” or more specifically: “He was a good racer, who the hell cares what he does in his own bedroom.”; “So what?”; or “Who gives a crap,” check yourself. As for the even more destructive individuals who wrote obvious homophobic comments such as: We all have issues, stop the poor me and get on with your life !” and “What does playing the skin flute have to do with ski racing?” – You need to educate yourselves. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes, do some research, and find some empathy. Feel free to contact me if you want a reading list, movies to watch about the subject, or podcasts to listen to and I will send them your way.

Finally – to those who stood up for Hig and the LGBTQ+ community, the people who fought back against the homophobic comments, and who actively tried to educate others on the subject of acceptance and empathy, please keep it up. We need authentic allies of the LGBTQ+ community in the ski racing world, because it has become clear that this is just the beginning of an uphill battle.

Ultimately, this is a call to action. The ski racing community needs to change. We need to become more inclusive and supportive. Abolish the culture of toxic masculinity and let our boys feel. Let them cry, let them exist anywhere on the spectrum of sexual orientation and gender presentation, hear them when they discuss their mental health, and just generally enjoy who they are without the pressure to conform to an unrealistic standard. Listen to their stories, support them when they speak out, and be allies of the LGBTQ+ community. Throw away the homophobia, adapt to the times. You wouldn’t try to race a slalom on straight skis now, so don’t use old ideologies in today’s world. Upgrade your narrative more often than your equipment. Be impressive, not disappointing.

Thank you.

— Lexi Hanus

This letter was submitted in response to the article “Former racer Hig Roberts comes out as gay, paves way for LGBTQ+ community in alpine skiing.” Have some thoughts on this? Send a letter to the editor. If it’s good, we’ll publish it.

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