In a recent appearance on The View, Chris Colfer shared that during the first season of ‘Glee,’ he was told not to discuss his sexuality.
The actor grew up in a conservative town where being openly gay was risky. When he joined ‘Glee,’ he was surprised and scared to learn his role was for an openly gay character:
“When I started filming the show I had a lot of people tell me, ‘Do not come out whatever you do because it will ruin your career.’ So I hid for a little bit. But I also told them, ‘I can’t hide it with my voice… I’m more effeminate than most people. I can’t hide it.’ And they said, ‘Don’t worry. As long as you never address it, you’ll be rewarded for it in the end.'”
Colfer played Kurt on ‘Glee,’ a character who struggled with his sexuality. He realized the positive impact of his role during a poster signing tour when a boy secretly gave him a note saying ‘Thank you’ and a rainbow-colored paperclip chain. This made Colfer decide to come out.
What Does Colfer Feel About Being A Gay Role Model?
Chris publicly came out in December 2009 on Chelsea Lately. He previously said he was ‘honored’ to be a gay role model but felt ‘overwhelmed’ by the responsibility:
“When I think about the thousands of letters I’ve got from kids saying thank you, I feel very honored. But, sometimes, the life of a role model can be a little overwhelming – you kind of become the world’s psychiatrist. I try to take it very seriously because there was no one like us to look up to when I was growing up. I get letters from kids who confess their deepest, darkest secrets and I want to help everybody but, practically, I just can’t.”
Colfer won the 2011 Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a Series for playing Kurt on ‘Glee.’ He also won three People’s Choice Awards in a row for favorite comedic TV actor.
