Premium Content:

'Mean Girls' Star Comes Out

Mean Girls Damian

Daniel Franzese, known for playing ‘Mean Girls’s gay teenager Damian, has come out in a heartfelt open letter to the character he played ten years ago.

- Advertisement -

Franzese wrote about how it meant a lot to him to play a gay character that “the audience laughed with rather than at“, how Hollywood typecast him into flamboyant, stereotypical gay roles

The letter, published on IndieWire, reads in part:

“You were proud of who you were; I was an insecure actor.  You became an iconic character that people looked up to; I wished I’d had you as a role model when I was younger. I might’ve been easier to be gay growing up.

“When I was cast in the role of “Damian” in ‘Mean Girls,’ I was TERRIFIED to play this part.  But this was a natural and true representation of a gay teenager – a character we laughed with instead of at.

“When I first became an actor, I wanted to play lots of roles – Guidos, gangsters and goombahs were my specialty.  So, would I be able to play all of those parts after portraying a sensitive, moisturizing, Ashton Kutcher-loving, pink-shirt-wearing kid?  I was optimistic.  Hollywood?  Not so much.  I was meeting a “gay glass ceiling” in casting.

“It wasn’t until years later that grown men started to coming up to me on the street – some of them in tears – and thanking me for being a role model to them. Telling me I gave them comfort not only being young and gay but also being a big dude. It was then that I realized how much of an impact YOU had made on them.

“Now in 2014 – ten years later – looking back, it took YOU to teach me how to be proud of myself again.  It’s okay if no one wants to sit at the table with the “art freaks.”  Being a queer artist is one of my favorite things about myself.

“My friends and family all knew the truth but now it’s time everyone does. Perhaps this will help someone else.”

Franzese is going to be the Celebrity Grand Marshal at the Portland Gay Pride Parade. You can read the letter in its heartfelt entirety here.

Latest

LGBTIQA+ Diversity and Inclusion workshop coming to Applecross Anglican Church

The event offers a relaxed opportunity to learn more about how to better promote LGBTIQA+ inclusion.

Unwrap Christmas in July at The Queens

Warm up your winter and get into the yuletide spirit extra early this year with Christmas in July at The Queens Hotel.

“Stop dithering” Peter Tatchell calls on UK government to tackle conversion therapy

Labour have failed to take action during their first year in government.

Funding cuts to HIV services across the globe have got experts sounding the alarm  

Experts heading to the 13th IAS Conference on HIV Science warn global HIV gains at risk amid sudden funding cuts.  

Newsletter

Don't miss

LGBTIQA+ Diversity and Inclusion workshop coming to Applecross Anglican Church

The event offers a relaxed opportunity to learn more about how to better promote LGBTIQA+ inclusion.

Unwrap Christmas in July at The Queens

Warm up your winter and get into the yuletide spirit extra early this year with Christmas in July at The Queens Hotel.

“Stop dithering” Peter Tatchell calls on UK government to tackle conversion therapy

Labour have failed to take action during their first year in government.

Funding cuts to HIV services across the globe have got experts sounding the alarm  

Experts heading to the 13th IAS Conference on HIV Science warn global HIV gains at risk amid sudden funding cuts.  

US Preacher calls for government to bring in death penalty for homosexuality

Evangelical preacher Justin Zhong has been condemned by other religious bodies over his comments.

LGBTIQA+ Diversity and Inclusion workshop coming to Applecross Anglican Church

The event offers a relaxed opportunity to learn more about how to better promote LGBTIQA+ inclusion.

Unwrap Christmas in July at The Queens

Warm up your winter and get into the yuletide spirit extra early this year with Christmas in July at The Queens Hotel.

“Stop dithering” Peter Tatchell calls on UK government to tackle conversion therapy

Labour have failed to take action during their first year in government.