Tyler James Williams made a poignant statement on Sunday about rumors surrounding his sexuality, saying that speculating can do more harm than good.
In a series of Instagram Stories, the Abbott Elementary star, 30, wrote over a black background confirming that he “wouldn't address stuff like this” but felt the “conversation is bigger than me.”
“I'm not gay; but the culture of trying to ‘find’ some kind of hidden trait or behavior that a closeted person ‘let slip’ is very dangerous," Williams wrote. “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.”
Williams also said that trying to make assumptions about a person's sexuality based on characteristics “reinforces an archetype many straight men have to live under that is often unrealistic, less free, and limits individual expression.”
Fans online have made jokes or started rumors that Williams is gay, particularly after he played a gay man in Dear White People — but the actor has never officially made a statement about it until now.
Williams wrote that he's been using his platform to “push against those archetypes” often assigned to different men.
“Being straight doesn't look one way. Being gay doesn't look one way,” Williams continued. “And what may seem like harmless fun and conversation may actually be sending a dangerous message to those struggling with real issues.”
After wishing a “Happy Pride to all my queer and questioning brothers, sisters, and individuals,” Williams also vowed to continue to help “cultivate a future where we are all accepted and given permission to be ourselves.”
