Jon Carmichael Could Become the First Out Gay Man in Space
Jon Carmichael might be the first out gay man in space, thanks to Inspiration4.
The Inspiration4 program is the world’s first all-civilian mission to space. Helmed by Jared Isaacman, the crew will be composed of three additional individuals — each person representing leadership, hope, generosity and prosperity. The “hope” position will be filled by St. Jude physician’s assistant and pediatric cancer survivor Hayley Arceneaux.
Although the launch date has not yet been determined, we know this historic flight will leave Earth from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A and travel in Earth’s orbit for three to five days.
On Feb. 7, 2021, the Inspiration4 Super Bowl commercial aired, directed by Bryce Dallas Howard and narrated by Octavia Spencer:
It’s an inspiring opportunity, as two people will be chosen to undergo commercial astronaut training by SpaceX and join the Inspiration4 space flight.
If selected, Jon Carmichael would be the first out gay man in space.
Hey @Twitter fam! There's a chance I could be the first gay man to go to SPACE!🌈👨🚀
Please watch my story for the #Inspiration4contest and RT – if this tweet takes off, I could too!🚀
Help support @StJude by ordering a print at my @Shift4Shop store! https://t.co/nSfK7nyAul pic.twitter.com/ynNLOCeS5T
— Jon Carmichael (@photographerjon) March 1, 2021
“Hi, I’m Jon,” his video story begins, “and I like to live my life as adventurous as possible. … I’m always trying to experience as much of the world as I can.”
Jon Carmichael is an astrophotographer and pilot whose lifelong dream has been to go to space, and who takes photographs of the Earth’s galaxy in an effort to connect people back to the curiosity and wonder that we’ve since lost due to phenomena such as light pollution. He is applying for the prosperity seat, which is reserved for “an inspirational entrepreneur who has used the power of Shift4Shop to launch their dream business.”
Inspiration4 is also raising awareness and funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is committed to finding cures for children with life-threatening diseases regardless of their family’s ability to pay, and regardless of race, ethnicity or beliefs. In honor of this flight, St. Jude has launched St. Jude Mission: Inspired — a fundraising campaign aimed at raising $200 million.
Winners of the remaining two Inspiration4 seats will be announced late in March. All the best of luck to Jon!
