Abbott Elementary star Tyler Williams has made it clear, he’s not gay. He also spoke on the danger of speculating on people’s sexuality.
The “Everybody Hates Chris” star posted on his Instagram Stories that contrary to some speculations, he is “not gay.”
Williams, 30, went on to explain why “overanalyzing” others and trying to figure out their sexuality is a “very dangerous” practice because it limits how straight men such as himself behave and leaves LGBTQ individuals or those questioning their sexuality feeling “less safe.”
“Usually I wouldn’t address stuff like this but I feel like it as a conversation is bigger than me,” Williams, who plays Gregory on the hit ABC sitcom, wrote. “I’m not gay, but I think the culture of trying to ‘find’ some kind of hidden trait or behavior that a closeted person ‘let slip’ is very dangerous.”
“Overanalyzing someone’s behavior in an attempt to ‘catch’ them directly contributes to the anxiety a lot of queer and queer-questioning people feel when they fear living in their truth,” he continued. “It makes the most pedestrian of conversations and interactions in spaces feel less safe in our gay brothers and sister and those who may be questioning.”
“It also reinforces an archetype many straight men have to live under that is often times unrealistic, less free, and limits individual expression,” added Williams, who has become a red-carpet favorite thanks to his willingness to stray from traditional menswear looks. “I’ve been very clear about the intentionality I try to put into using my platform to push back against those archetypes every chance that I get.”
He went on to say being “straight” doesn’t look one way. He ended his post by saying, “happy Pride to all of my queer and questioning brothers, sisters, and individuals.”
“I pray that you feel seen in ways that make you feel safe in the celebration that is this month. As an ally, I continue to be committed to assisting in that where I can and helping to cultivate a future where we are all accepted and given permission to be ourselves.”
