Ever since he first came out in 2015, Gus Kenworthy hasn’t had a single negative headline ever written about him. The guy has somehow managed to avoid any major scandals and remain a beloved figure in the LGBTQ community, as well as an awesome role model. But it looks like that might soon be changing thanks to Colton Underwood.
It all started Wednesday morning when the 29-year-old Bachelor star came out as gay during a sit-down interview with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America. Later that day, Variety broke the news that he’s in the middle of filming a docuseries for Netflix about accepting his sexuality and that Kenworthy is “acting as a guide” to him.
Almost immediately, a backlash ensued. Many people were upset that Underwood was being rewarded for coming out with a big splashy interview and Netflix show given his not-so-distant-history of alleged abuse against his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Randolph. (Read all about that here.)
Now, a change.org petition calling on Netflix to cancel the series has garnered 10,000 signatures and counting. It reads:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Colton is a former bachelor lead who stalked his final pick, Cassie Randolph. He placed a tracker on her car, sent her and her friends anonymous threatening texts, and was even seen standing outside her window extremely late in the night, resulting in her brother attempting to de-escalate the situation. Cassie is a victim of Colton’s abuse, and he does not deserve a platform in any way. Regardless of his sexuality, Colton should not be given a platform as a result of his abusive, manipulative, and dangerous behavior.
People have also started turning their ire toward Kenworthy, calling on him to drop out of the project, which, honestly, sounds like it might be kind of difficult/maybe impossible if the show is already in the middle of production.
We have no doubt that Kenworthy will figure out how to handle the sticky situation and make the best decision (he always does!), but in the meantime, here’s what folx are saying…
Sorry Netflix but I’m really not interested in watching Gus Kenworthy explain poppers to Colton Underwood
— Eric (@eric__hahn) April 14, 2021
When I stepped out of conversion therapy, my FIRST call was to Gus Kenworthy. He sent me three nike jockstraps and a basket of limes. Thank you Gus!
— Slaymes (@slayjamesslay) April 15, 2021
this whole thing is a literal publicity stunt…..fuck this guy and fuck gus kenworthy pic.twitter.com/qbMlEBJZ9E
— sock girl (@holepics) April 16, 2021
ok but like… is it too late for @guskenworthy to back out of this Netflix show? Or for @netflix simply to cancel it? ? I can’t say I’m surprised Netflix is being tone deaf, but I always had respect for Gus Kenworthy until now ?
— ssri enthusiast (@alonelyho) April 15, 2021
When I came out in 2005, @guskenworthy didn’t offer to be my sexy gay welcome guide. Just saying.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) April 15, 2021
@colton @guskenworthy in Masc4Masc The Series.
— Something Else (@M_505) April 16, 2021
any gay man who watches the Gus Kenworthy + Colton Underwood netflix show will be fined $30,000
— Dash Turner (@KocoumOfficial) April 14, 2021
When I came out at 19, my FIRST call was to Gus Kenworthy. he set me up with a 3 month supply of ketamine, a crash course in gaslighting and IG captions, and a tell-all interview with Andy Cohen. I have him to thank for the person I am today ???? you’re in good hands, Colton!
— Paul McCallion (@OrangePaulp) April 14, 2021
Sneak peak of Colton Underwood and Gus Kenworthy’s show pic.twitter.com/45ReDKw9dc
— Liam Gareau (@liamgareau) April 14, 2021
I hope @guskenworthy pulls out.
— ?revor’s a Fag (@trevorjkuhn) April 15, 2021
A guy I matched with on Tinder a few years ago, who used to routinely send me unsolicited snaps of his hole, is now an elected state legislator who requested that I like his official FB page.
Will Gus Kenworthy address things like this on that new Netflix show?
— ?????? (@biggaydynamo) April 14, 2021
I'm Gus Kenworthy's "gay guide" guide.
— Trixie Mattel™ (@trixiemattel) April 14, 2021
So y’all are telling me Colton Underwood comes out and immediately gets a reality show and Gus Kenworthy as a “Gay Guide”, but when I came out I almost lost a relationship with my entire family…interesting.
— Dillon Cullins (@CullinsDillon) April 15, 2021
gus kenworthy it's not too late to quit
— jack o'brien (@obrienjohnjack) April 14, 2021
Graham Gremore is the Features Editor and a Staff Writer at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
whatsaywhat
U recycled some of the exact same tweets from your last piece about this.
Stop trying to make woke outrage happen about these two…. It’s not gonna happen.
Catholicslutbox
Netflix puts out a lot of garbage featuring vile people, but so does bravotv and Andy Cohen is still on air.
Donston
Does anyone who writes for this site actually have something to add to this topic, some insight? Because y’all want to milk Colton and his “situations”, but all you’re doing is continuing to posts “articles” that are just other people’s tweets. Y’all are coming off just as unsavory, sketchy and desperate as Colton and to some degree Gus.
C_Alan
Imagine those teeth coming at ya
Wicked Dickie
All teeth and no top lip. No thanks.
michaelmt1009
Way too many haters and judgey people on this site. OK so you are pissed at Colton for whatever reasons but why hate on Gus. He has done nothing but be a positive supportive member of the community and suddenly you all are turning on him. The man is making a living doing his work and if you don’t think then the Netflix docu is worth watching then just don’t watch it….
whatsaywhat
From what I can glean, they are young, white and male… but most of all… they’re conventionally attractive.
The woke f*garatti will not stand for it. They must be ripped to shreds.
barryaksarben
I agree with you. All these miserable guys way too quick to jump on anyone to make themselves feel better. Colton sounds like a pos but Im sure he didnt fill Gus in on his past horrible behavior and Gus was probably just trying to help someone. People change and Im sure that Gus was giving Colton the benefit of the doubt here. GUS didnt abuse anyone or stalk anyone. Direct your anger where it belongs jerks
Tonyi1234
You’re absolutely right. Apparently, it’s either right or wrong, nobody has made mistakes or used poor judgement, in their lives.
Cam
Oh give it a rest, I get that netflix probably sent in it’s little band of trolls, but coming onto a gay site and then using anti-LGBTQ pejoratives is kind of a giveaway.
We get it, you’re fangurls, or you work for them, blah blah blah. But your little freakouts aren’t going to change the fact that people reasonably clocked Colton as having come out ages ago to get a show, then waiting and finally “coming out”when it was good timing to solidify the deal.
Glad he’s found his truth, but don’t get pissy because people think it’s a bit cynical.
James
ON THE SHOW MAYBE COLTON WILL START ABUSING GUS.
barryaksarben
Id watch that
masterwill7
Oh yes please, I’ll bingewatch the shit out of it!
tjack47
Neither Gus nor Kent give a whit.
balttymore
Gus has been in His DM’S for years….He ain’t pulling out now
muscl954
Can we go back up to @biggaydynamo’s tweet and find out more about the state legislator who was showing his hole all over Twitter and still got elected into office???
James26
As I commented in the last post on this topic, I am no fan of the disturbing and feminine Kenworthy. But this “backlash” is just another non-story based on a few tweets.
Donston
If all you’re gonna do is be a hateful troll that post nothing outside of praising “regular” and “masculine” men and hating on “effeminate” and “weird” men, at least get your radar checked. Colton comes off more like a typical and obvious “queen” than Gus.
Cam
Except for the fact that you love smarmy anti-LGBTQ bigots and always attack out of the closet queer people.
Your trolling is sad and weak.
ShiningSex
the fact that you say “feminine” shows your stupidity first off all. Gus is just a douchebag. Colton is a nobody. I have far more respect for “effeminate” men that don’t give one shit what anyone thinks about how they act. They are some of the bravest in our community next to drag queens and the transgender brothers/sisters.
barryaksarben
You are a sick pos. Give me an effeminate guy anyday over a fake christian who is “hyper-masculine” just to hide their real self. You seem to have a very weird view of gays.
James26
@barryaksarben I am not sure why you believe that gay = effeminate or that a “hypermasculine” gay man must be faking it. Every study on this subject from the 19th century through 2020 has shown that gay and bisexual men and boys are found all along the spectrum from very feminine to very masculine. While it’s true, sadly, that the gay population suffers from effeminacy at a higher rate than straight male population, it afflicts a minority of each group and there are plenty of authentic, normal, masculine men in both groups.
I would not call Colton Underwood “hypermasculine” by any means, but he is certainly more normal than Kenworthy. Kenworthy seems perfectly normal in still photos, but when you observe his mannerisms, body language, and speech patterns on video, it’s like watching a girl in a man’s body. The disconnect b/t his manly physical appearance and his behavior is jarring and disturbing, but it is useful in that it points to the brain (as opposed to the psyche) as the source of this problem in at least some cases. Thanks for sharing!
Cam
@James26
We get it, right wing trolls are here to attack any out LGBTQ person.
As for Kenworthy not being masculine enough, he won an Olympic medal. Why don’t you list out anything you’ve done that’s half as butch.
While we’re at it, a fem presenting guy going to High School or walking down the street in a red state takes more guts than anything you’ve probably ever done.
craigbear
You really need to recalibrate the settings on your gender detector if Gus Kenworthy reads as “feminine” to you.
Godabed
It’s not possible for me to careless about attention whores asking for more attention. I DO NOT CARE.
Fahd
The change.org petition information was news to me. 10,000+ people care that much? I suppose it’s because of Underwood’s baggage.
To me, Gus and Colton are D-list celebrities and so I don’t begrudge them the money from the show. We all have to make a living, and also this won’t be Netflix’s first clunker. Maybe they need better agents to get them better gigs, but life…
I’ve never considered either as a spokesperson for me or really anybody or any cause or ideology. Though, next time I put mayonnaise on a BLT I’ll be thinking of them.
Donston
I don’t understand why some are feigning disappointment towards Gus. It’s apparent, like Colton, he’ll do whatever for a piece of change, some attention, some clout and maybe a hook-up. He just doesn’t have the religious baggage, the “spent multiple years using the ‘straight virgin’ gimmick to be on TV and get book deals” baggage, the “didn’t ‘come out’ until I was perfectly able to use it for my next career moves” baggage, or the “harassed and tracked his ex gf just last year” baggage. Colton is more calculated and perhaps more f-ed up. But they’re in the same pea pod. So, whatever. I will say Gus’ “outing” was legitimately brave and important. I’ll give him that.
I really hope “queer sites” don’t milk this Colton stuff for more than another week or so. Y’all are already pushing it.
barryaksarben
TROLL. youor comments are ridiculous and stupid. What do you do for money? Gus has led a decent life and came out when he was ready and not before. When and how did you come out? I was never in and paid for it with bullying and beatings and being a pariah in my small town so I dont judge anyone on when they come out except when they do it like Kevin Spacey to distract from their bad behaviour
Donston
Do you not realize that being a “troll” has nothing to do with a difference of opinion? The rest of your post was okay, off the target, but perfectly fine. However, you need to quit throwing that “troll” word around willy-nilly. When you use it in the wrong situations or on people who clearly aren’t “trolls, it makes you come off like you’re deflecting and can’t actually argue against the other person’s points.
I might be confusing you with another poster, but weren’t you just trying to shame Shawn Mendes out of the closet in a previous article? Now, you want to talk about we shouldn’t decide when somebody “comes out”? Can any of y’all pick a narrative and some principles? (Once again, you may not be that poster, but I believe you are).
Anyways, I don’t care if when someone “comes out”. Coming out culture is exhausting. However, he didn’t have to use being a ‘straight virgin’ to get on TV for multiple seasons and to get women to chase him on TV for years. No one made him go on TV with that gimmick and use it for attention, money and ego boosts. He knew his dimensions back then despite the struggling. He could have been more tactful, less manipulative and less narcissistic and handled that stuff offscreen. But that’s bridge under the water.
My main issues are the stalking and tracking his ex. While he could have given a sincere and insightful “coming out” interview and cleaned up some of his past. Instead, he brushed it off and used the interview only to indulge self-pity. Never mind how he waited till he got a new book deal and a new Netflix show to do the interview. While he also appears to support Conservative politics.
Colton doesn’t just come off as someone who has struggled with his journey. He comes off calculated, shady and privileged, he’s used every step of his “journey” so far for self-promotion and to get people to overlook something he just said or did. But he’s a “reality star” and clout chaser. All of this comes with the territory. So, it’s whatever to me. I don’t even care about Colton. I have more of an issue with people throwing praise at his feet and demanding folks overlook everything else.
Cam
@barryaksarben
Trolls don’t typically state opinions with backup facts presented clearly. Try another tactic.
mg10
I used to be concerned about cancel culture going too far, the pendulum swinging the opposite direction, and some of the progress we’ve made being reversed. I now look forward to it if it means the end of crap like this. The people who need to be cancelled are the self-absorbed, self-righteous, wokesters who signed this petition. People make mistakes. They deserve a second chance. Even the white males ones who’ve wronged a woman.
Cam
I didn’t realize that a second chance meant that the rest of the world should be forced to watch a TV show they don’t want to see.
Manrico Jimenez
I heard from people who did the AIDS LifeCycle that Gus was completely pampered during the bike tour and would have his own separate tent and never mingle with the other participants other than to take pictures.
ShiningSex
He’s scum, that’s why he acts that way
Ronbo
Don’t listen to Graham Gremore. He has an anti-gay, self-hate problem.
djhavyk
Look, everyone’s coming out story is different and we are all haunted by our inner-demons and fears that Hetero-America has engrained in us our whole lives. How can we fault him for the decisions he made when MANY of us have made questionable ones ourselves?! Because he was on a TV show?? He’s still human and he had the same fears about people accepting him after he came out…and guess what, the people who are turning against him are proving his fears were justified, making it THAT MUCH SCARIER for others to come out!
So he tried really, really hard to make things work with that Cassie chick…sounds spot on for someone who was afraid that this was his last chance that “God gave him” to finally be straight and “normal”–and that’s exactly what he said went through his mind when he found out he was the Bachelor. There was a time I would’ve given ANYTHING for my attraction to men to be magically taken away.
He needs understanding right now…and guidance…and Ken is a GREAT person to give him that balanced mentorship that he needs.
This is a time of celebration for him finally coming to terms with who he is and look how people are treating him. Every gay man judging him negatively should be ashamed of themselves. Being gay is not a VIP-only club that you and your chosen few belong to. Get over yourselves and open your eyes to the fact the world is much bigger and complex than you realize.
Cam
He’s welcome to come out however he wants. And just as he has the freedom to do that, others have the right to identify what they see as cynical use of coming out, or the right to not watch a TV show.
RomanHans
After stalking and harassing his ex-girlfriend, Mr. Underwood needs to disappear and seek therapy. Mr. Kenworthy doesn’t do himself any favors by letting his thirst for fame overtake his conscience.
In case anyone thinks the public disagrees, be aware of swarms of questionable new commenters who materialized days ago to lead the narrative on this massive piece of BS.
Heywood Jablowme
Any guy with the name Colton may as well become a porn “star” and get it over with.
ShiningSex
BOTH COLTON AND GUS ARE JUST TRASH.
Colton knew he was gay before being on the show. Billy knew it when he interviewed him on the show. A lot of people could see it.
Why would Netflix give HIM a show? There are so many people who deserve their story to be heard not this POS.
barryaksarben
Yeah they should give you a show about a horrible troll who has never said a decent thing about anyone ever
jw8890
Why are you so hateful? Did you hit on gus and fail so spectacularly that you have to trash him?
Kieran
Put any gay man on a spit and you can always get another gay man to turn him. Sad but true.
Donston
But weren’t you just saying that the criticism wasn’t likely coming from “gay men”? Pick a narrative and a handle name and stick with it.
Ronbo
That IS Graham Gremore. He repeatedly and falsely attacked Alex Morse who subsequently lost to a conservative man.
joetgall
Gus did have negative headlines in the past–when he attended the birthday party for the Sultan of Brunei’s son in London. The Sultan is extremely anti-lgbt and was pushing the death penalty (stone to death) for gays. So…not good.
KiraNerysRules
LOL! We are not dumb. I would love to know how much Colton Underwood’s publicist paid for all this coverage. We know this is how it’s done. A person wants to be more famous. So, they hire a publicist. The publicist buys coverage from websites like this. This just seems like a two-for-one with Gus Kenworthy, Sharia Law partygoer, thrown into the mix.
Max
yikes. the point is to help educate each other, not turn on another even if those folks happen to be celebs.
Liquid Silver
I wouldn’t mind seeing Gus pull out.
And finish on somebody’s back.
dhmonarch89
The writers here kind of suck…do you guys pay attention to anything? You claim, Gus ‘hasn’t had a single negative headline ever written about him’. Last year, when Gus claimed British citizenship through his mother so he could more easily qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics (the Brit team free style skiers aren’t as good or have as deep a program as the US- MUCH easier for Gus to make that team), he got A LOT of negative headlines! Many people got pissed at Gus for potentially screwing some British kid out of his chance to go to the Games. The main reason Gus isn’t at the top of the US program any more is because of crap like this- the celeb deals, TV shows, etc. His focus is celebrity not skiing/training- so half assing it for 4 years then switching countries is really a shitty, oppunistic thing to do.
dhmonarch89
that’s ‘opportunistic’ if you correct here, the post languishes in ‘post being reviewed’ hell and never gets seen.
Ronbo
Graham Gremore lost Alex Morse his election with false misinformation.
BLAKENOW
Whoever write this is a Millennial jack ass, and whom Clearly is a jealous troll and needs to get laid. Since when are gays thinking like christian women? I mean really knock it the eff off!. everyone has a past and a life well at least the ones not creating this garbage attack on both of those hot men.
Cam
Troll comment = phony outrage, name calling, yet is very vague about exactly what it’s upset about.
Looks like Colton and Gus have a view of their angry WeHo trolls out here to clutch their pearls over this.
Winsocki
I rather watch this than any Real Housewife, Kardashian, Jersey Shore, Basketball Wives crap. Thank God, all gays are not really clones and always tell each other to eff off. Yeah Gus… do your life. Haters can go listen to Taylor Swift who I have only heard one song in my life.
goozy76
I just wish Gus would be the queer representation sports need, not Netflix.
Ronbo
Notice that author, Graham Gremore, is once again attacking gay men.
From first attacking Alex Morse to now, he can’t find a kind word (or honest word) for any gay man.
Is it self-homophobia or does he just like political payments?
dman3379
Lmao Netflix isn’t gonna give two shits about this “petition.” A waste of time.
ScottOnEarth
You’d think that a global pandemic that has completely shut-dow the planet would give people more important things to be unhappy about than these two guys who really mean nothing to most of us. I mean, who cares about either one of them and their Netflix show that will probably be highly unpopular?
phillycap
I do not understand all the anger and vitriol about this. It is two, by their own admission, minor celebrities telling a story. You either watch it or you don’t. But a petition to cancel something you haven’t seen because you MIGHT disapprove of it? Get a life, queens. Who knows, gasp, it could turn out to be a useful show to someone struggling to come out. I thought Queer Eye was well past its prime. And when it finally was released, it turned out that it was a very touching and well made show which I very much look forward to returning on Netflix. I never watched the Bachelor, so I don’t quite know why this guy brings out so much negativity.
mastik8
I cannot even muster indifference for this one it’s so yawn.
Ken A.
Just a bunch of drama queens trying to stir the pot. I have nothing against this Colton or Gus. Not a follower of the toxic woke crowd.
Cam
If you’re trying to troll, better not to try using the same FOX News terminology that has been used by the other screenames typing the exact same thing.