Joshua Bassett forGQ.Photo: Andy Jackson/GQ
Joshua Bassettis happy he made the decision to open up publicly about his sexuality.
In a new interview withGQ, the songwriter andHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Seriesactor addresses the Instagram clip he posted last month in the wake of his “coming-out video” — the former of which included Bassettdiscussing his sexualityand saying in part that “people have shamed me for things they know nothing about.”
“I wasn’t joking,” says Bassett, 20, of being part of the LGBTQ+ community. “I stood behind every word that I said.”
The star says the moment gave him “an opportunity to say something that I believe in,” and adds later, “Even if there are consequences, I would much rather deal with consequencesand live my truththan live in fear.”
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Joshua Bassett.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Back in May, Bassett describedHarry Stylesas “hot” during an interview, and hinted that his mention of his love for the “Watermelon Sugar” star was his “coming-out video.”
He then shared avideo of himself singing, alongside which he wrote in part, “My entire life people have told me my sexuality. People have shamed me for things they know nothing about. I want to say thank you to those of you who stand for love and acceptance. Toxicity, hatred and negativity say less about the subject but say far more about those who spew it.”
“It’s 2021. We are the generation of love & growth, it’s time we start acting like it,” Bassett continued. “Whether you love me, hate me, or damn me to hell, I love you all the same.”
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In hisinterview withGQ, Bassett says he is “at peace” with his own sexuality but “anti-coming out in the sense that there’s no need to,” clarifying that he believes “people are welcome to have boxes if they want them.”
He also recalls hearing unsolicited remarks from people about his sexuality as he was growing up: “People would tell me that I’m straight or [I] can’t be gay because XYZ thing … [I dealt with] people not believing me either wayif I talked about my sexuality inany way.”
As for the pressure to define one’s sexuality, “There are plenty of letters in the alphabet … why bother rushing to a conclusion?” the star adds. “Sometimes your letter changes, sometimes you try a different one, other times you realize you’re not what you thought you were, or maybe you always knew. All of these can be true.”
“I’m happy to be apart of the LGBTQ+ communitybecause they embrace all,” Bassett says. “Don’t let anyone tell you love isn’t love. They’re the ones who probably need it the most.”
source: people.com
