This Famous Teen Athlete Responded To Homophobic Social Media Trolls Like A Boss

“It infuriates me that people see the word ‘gay’ as a joke.”

Donovan Carrillo, a 16-year-old figuring skating star, is doing Mexico proud!

First, because he just dominated the Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Yokohama, Japan and earned himself a spot at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships later this year. Second, because he flawlessly stood up for the LGBT+ community and shut down haters with his response to anti-gay comments online.

Donovan performed at the Grand Prix to “Hasta Que Te Conocí” by the late Mexican music legend Juan Gabriel, who passed away last month. When the video of his skating routine went viral, mean and ignorant people were quick to publicly call Donovan gay as if it were a bad thing.

Donovan had this to say on Twitter.

“I’m not bothered being called gay because I’m not. It infuriates me that people see the word ‘gay’ as a joke or an insult towards my hard work.”

“I admire and respect the LGBT community because I’m friends with a lot of their members, but I am not part of that community.”

“The fact that I’m an ice skater does not mean that I’m gay. Just like a soccer player isn’t automatically heterosexual.”

“I thank everyone for your congratulations and words of encouragement. I hope to not disappoint you. I will continue to train!”

Way to go, Donovan! The word “gay” is NOT an insult and we can’t wait for the day when ignorant people stop using it as such! Whatever your orientation might be, always remember that you’re so beautiful now!