Teen Wolf’s Charlie Carver Comes Out As Gay

This morning we are so happy for Charlie Carver after he took to Instagram to share a brave and inspirational ‘coming out’ essay.

The Teen Wolf star revealed that he is gay in the lengthy post, which was spread over five parts alongside a photo with the inspirational quote: “Be Who You Needed When You Were Younger”.

In the emotive essay, Charlie admits that he felt different from his peers when growing up, sharing: “As a young boy, I knew I wanted to be an actor. I knew I wanted to be a lot of things…

“It was around that age that I also knew, however abstractly, that I was different from some of the other boys in my grade.Over time, this abstract ‘knowing’ grew and articulated itself through a painful gestation marked by feelings of despair and alienation, ending in a climax of saying three words out loud:

“'I am gay.’ I said them to myself at first, to see how they felt. They rang true, and I hated myself for them. I was twelve.

“It would take me a few years before I could repeat them to anyone else, in the meantime turning the phrase over and over in my mouth until I felt comfortable and sure enough to let the words pour out again.”

Poignantly, the 27-year-old revealed that he was comfortable to come out to his friends and family, but it wasn’t quite so straight-forward when it came to his career.

He added: “I did not want to be defined by my sexuality. Sure, I am a proud gay man, but I don’t identify as a Gay man, or a GAY man, or just gay.

“I identify as a lot of things, these various identifications and identities taking up equal space and making up an ever-fluid sense of Self…. As an actor, I believed that my responsibility to the craft and the business was to remain benevolently neutral - I was a canvas, a chameleon, the next character.

“For the most part I had a duty to stay a Possibility in the eye of casting, directors, and the public. If I Came Out, I feared I would be limiting myself to a type, to a perception with limits that I was not professionally comfortable with.”

Charlie concluded with: “So now, let the record show this - I self-identify as gay… I owe it to myself, more than anything, to be who I needed when I was younger.

“And let the record show my twin brother is just as cool for being straight.”

The star was hugely praised by his fans for being true to himself, with one writing: “Very thoughtful and caring words, thank you again for this. You are a great role model.”

Others added: “So much support for such a courageous heart. Love all your work and that of your brother.

“I’m crying I’m so proud, these words are so beautiful.

“I’m so proud of you, we have to believe that one day our word will not judge others (at all) or for their sexuality.”