Jim Parsons says the sight of Pride parades used to frighten him
The 'Big Bang Theory' actor publicly came out back in 2012
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Jim Parsons said the sight of Pride parades used to frighten him.
The Big Bang Theory actor came out to his family and friends after meeting his now-husband Todd Spiewak and publicly came out in 2012.
However, the actor – who is set to star in a Netflix adaptation of the hit Aids-focused play The Boys in the Band – revealed he used to avoid LGBTQ areas and said Pride parades used to frighten him.
He told Variety: “The sight of Pride parades frightened me, because I knew that there were plenty of people around me – whether they were in my life or I just was aware of them – that derided this show of pride.
“My only feelings were, I’m going to avoid that area of town because I don’t like crowds.”
However, his attitudes changed when he publicly came out and found there was ‘elation’ in Pride celebrations.
He continued: “Once it was out in the public, I was like, ‘Well, fuck you! If you still have a problem with gay people, you directly have a problem with me’.
“Being a full-fledged member of it and claiming it, there was just an elation there, and there still is!
“I still feel it. It’s a huge relief and it’s also really nice to sometimes be able to feel righteous anger.”