Earlier this week we reported on an item from the blog Kenneth in the (212) ab0ut out Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy sharing a photo from the prince of Brunei’s birthday party, only to delete the pic a few minutes later. We were initially skeptical of the story, but in fact Kenneth got it right, reaching out to Gus himself who confirmed the story.
The recovered photo (above) shows Kenworthy with his boyfriend, actor Matt Wilkas, and Caitlyn Jenner, having a grand old time at Prince Azim’s London soirée.
Related: LGBT Leaders Warn Hollywood That Staying At Famed Hotel Means Sleeping With Antigay Enemy
Why would this be a big deal? Well as we noted, Brunei imposes harsh penalties on LGBTs, up to and including death for consensual gay sex. The optics of high-profile Western members of that locally oppressed group rubbing shoulders with the son of the sultan are disappointing for obvious reasons even though we don’t know exactly the prince’s stance on his country’s horrendous antigay laws.
How about we take this to the next level?
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But some readers pointed out that partying with the son of the antigay sultan might not be so bad after all (we won’t even get in to the rumors that have circulated for years about Azim’s own sexuality). Maybe having openly gay and trans folk at his party could lead the young man to have some, well, difficult conversations with dad about the critical importance of equality everywhere.
What’s your take? Party or not?
Sounds off in comments…
Aromaeus
They can party with whoever they want. He already showed the type of person he was with that r@cist Native American costume debacle.
Masc Pride
Money transcends pretty much everything. They are all rich, and rich people live in a different world. The fact that The Prince of Brunei, a transsexual and two gay guys were all partying together totally proves it. It’s not the same issue for them as it is for the broke queens who obsess over it.
samuel88
Prince Azim look and sound gay to me, watch his interview below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itORtB5lvkc
crowebobby
The “queeny” son of the Sultan of Brunei.. is okay. The “queeny” son of Magic Johnson… would be a crime against humanity. Funny how that works.
inbama
@samuel88:
Gay?
Looks and sounds more like a future trans-lesbian. Maybe she and Jenner will end up an item.
Matthew Rettenmund
While it’s nice that you acknowledge Queerty was wrong when it doubted Kenneth, you should also acknowledge that rather than questioning his correctness, you snarked about jumping to conclusions without facts, which is exactly what the Queerty writer did in not taking 30 seconds to assess that Kenneth was accurate.
And you still have the original story up with no update, and you’re linking to it here.
Get some ethics before pointing fingers at others.
As for Gus and Matthew, you’re clearly not really concerned about the issue since nobody in their right mind would defend partying with the sultan’s son. You’re just reaching for clickbait. Nothing wrong with clickbait, but there’s something wrong with using a serious issue and two people’s reputations in search of it.
Again, get some ethics. You guys are so far past the bend on this it’s embarrassing.
Hank
So, the excuse would be a hypothetical opening mind? I would not have stomach.
film2212
A party like that is something you’re specifically invited too
weeks or months ahead
So this I didn’t know it happened so fast excuse doesn’t work
film2212
And him or Caitlynn probably got paid to show up at the party
robho3
Maybe the Princess (didn’t know what a big queen he was) can take those people back to his country and get them off our hands.
Stilinski26
@samuel88: Looks like Chaz Bono
Stilinski26
Why should we care? They may be LGBT but they are also celebrities theirs and our life styles are completely different!
Brian
Some queens will go anywhere for a party. The morals of the person holding the party is rarely a consideration. Many queens partied with Adolf Hitler back in the day.
anonymous818
Ugh. Gus is a snow skier with an instagram account and a cute hug-worthy boyfriend. He’s never tried to be a politician or leader or spokesperson for anyone or group. He just wants to have a boyfriend, snow ski and post cute photos.
These parties this kid has are ones where they PAY celebrities to come to them.
The only fault Gus has is being a bit naive about how things work. He should probably google more when someone offers to buy his attendance next time.
Also, where’s the outrage on Caitlynn Jenner for attending these parties?
Where’s the outrage on Mariah Carey attending his parties?
Where’s the outrage on Faye Dunaway, Joan Collins, etc attending his parties?
Brian
@anonymous818: So true – you rightly point to the hypocrisy of the celebrity set.
ErikO
@inbama: LOL!
drelocks15
@crowebobby: OUCH
DCguy
So it’s OK for them to party with the family of the man who passed a law where gays would be put to death because maybe they would open the family’s mind?
Is that a joke? Jenner IS trans and still opposed same sex marriage.
The wealthy and famous live in a consequence free world where their actions don’t matter. The only thing that would change minds would be if people stopped showing up to this guy’s parties. THAT would get his attention.
SnakeyJ
Absolutely they should be held accountable. Getting paid to go to a party is great, but partying with the son of a despot (not even an estranged son) is ridiculous. They knew what they were doing, but checked their morals at the door for the paycheque.