ASPEN GAY SKI WEEK RECAP BY VOROBEK POINT SCHOLAR ETHAN HANSEN

The 36^th annual Gay Ski Week brought LGBTQ people from across the globe to Aspen, Colorado, in January including Vorobek Point Scholar Ethan Hansen. Proceeds from Gay Ski Week benefit the Roaring Fork Gay and Lesbian Community Fund (RFGLCF), along with Point Foundation and other charities.  Here’s Hansen’s recap of his time in Aspen:

Miss Richfield 1981 Hosting Downhill Costume Parade

“I arrived with Point Scholar Relations & Selections Program Director Vince Garcia for the concluding weekend of the event. We were welcomed by Point Trustee Jim Patton, Point Board Co-Chair Kyle Spainhour, and plenty of Colorado sunshine. Point was the beneficiary of Friday’s Downhill Costume Competition on Aspen Mountain; an entertaining afternoon during which contestants—many in drag—ski, snowboard, and in one flabbergasting case sprint in heels, down a sharp ski slope. Waiting for them on stage at the base of the slope were Vince and Jim alongside the event’s comical hostess, Miss Richfield.

Later that evening a cable car took us to the mountain’s summit for a three-course benefit dinner. There, I had the honor of joining Vince and Jim to talk to people about Point and its impact on LGBTQ people’s lives. In the intimate setting of the dinner, I spoke about growing up in a small Mormon town, coming out in high school and the positive changes in my life since becoming a Point Scholar. I highlighted the impact of Point’s financial support, as well as the sense of community and family that have been deeply significant for me.

For the remaining day and a half, Vince and I toured the lovely city of Aspen (my first visit), including a stop at a museum featuring the engaging work of artist Thomas W. Benton.  In all, the weekend was a wonderful experience.  I was honored to represent Point Foundation and very grateful to have had such a unique opportunity.”

This post was written by Ethan Hansen

Born in south-eastern Idaho, Vorobek Point Scholar Ethan Hansen grew up in a conservative area where homophobia was a mostly unchallenged fact of life. A sophomore at the University of Idaho majoring in psychology, Ethan hopes to eventually become a therapist and aims to help LGBTQ youth. He also hopes to continue fighting for LGBTQ and other marginalized people as an activist dedicated to the ideals of equality and human dignity. Learn more about Ethan.