‘The Borgias’ star François Arnaud comes out publicly as bisexual
The Canadian actor has opened up about his sexuality to mark this week's Bi Visibility Day.
The Borgias star Francois Arnaud has come out as bisexual to mark Celebrate Bisexuality Day tomorrow (23 September) – also known as Bi Visibility Day.
The Canadian – also known for acting roles in Schitt’s Creek, Midnight, Texas, UnREAL and Xavier Dolan’s I Killed My Mother – shared the news on his Instagram Story.
He wrote: “Last week, I was chatting with work friends, and as I brought up a trip I’d taken with an ex-girlfriend, I asked myself – for the ten-thousandth time – how to tell such a story without making it seem like that was the whole story of me.
“I’m sure many bisexual guys feel the same and end up doing as I did: letting other people’s assumptions of straightness stand uncorrected.
“Perhaps out of fear of oversharing. Under the guise of privacy maybe. Probably because ‘maculinity’ is a most fragile currency, ready to nose-dive at the first sign of vulnerability or difference. And because it’s really f***ing scary to give up your privilege.
“Without a doubt because stigmas of indecisiveness, infidelty, deception and trendiness are still clinging to bisexuality.
“But here’s the thing. Silence has the perverse effect of perpetuating those stereotypes, making bi guys invisible, and leading people to doubt that we even exist. No wonder it’s still a chore to ackowledge bisexuality without getting into lenthy explanations.
“So yes, labels are frustrating and words, imperfect.
“But I’ve always considered myself bisexual. Not confused or trying to look edgy.
“Not disloyal. Not ashamed.
“Not invisible.”
He signed off with: “Happy #bivisibilityday this Wednesday.”
Francois played Spanish politican Cesare Borgia in The Borgias [pictured top], which ran for three seasons from 2011-13.
Arnaud’s note follows Schitt’s Creek award sweep at yesterday’s Emmys.
The comedy – which follows the ups and downs of a formally wealthy family – won a record-breaking nine awards at yesterday’s ceremony, including Best Comedy.