Tessa Thompson Comes Out as Bisexual, Talks Privacy Versus Visibility - and Why It Matters

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Ah, nothing like another fantastic talented actress coming out as being part of the LGBTQ+ community! :)

In a Net-A Porter interview published on June 29, Creed actress Tessa Thompson came out as bisexual, saying "I'm attracted to men and also to women." Simple but powerful and direct to the point.

In the interview, Thompson talked about the characters she played (and the love and connection she feels for them), race, her sexuality, and close relationship with singer and actress Janelle Monáe.

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"We love each other deeply," Thompson said when talking about Monáe. "We're so close, we vibrate on the same frequency. If people want to speculate about what we are, that's okay. It doesn't bother me." And with that, Thompson confirmed the closeness of her relationship with Monáe, without confirming or denying a romantic relationship, but it opened up the question of LGBTQ+ visibility.

As Thompson told Net-A Porter, the speculation of a romantic relationship between Monáe and her is "tricky, because Janelle and I are just really private people and we're both trying to navigate how you reconcile wanting to have that privacy and space, and [at the same time] also wanting to use your platform and influence."

Like Thompson stated, part of her freedom to be private and comfort of not needing to be vocal about her sexuality comes from the fact that her family was accepting of her sexuality. "I can take things for granted because of my family - it's so free and you can be anything that you want to be...If I bring a woman home, [or] a man, we don't even have to have the discussion."

But as Thompson noted, not everyone has the same freedom and comfort that she has thanks to her supporting family. "I want everyone else to have that freedom and support that I have from my loved ones. But so many people don't. So, do I have a responsibility to talk about that? Do I have a responsibility to say in a public space that this is my person?"

And like that, the speculation of a romantic relationship between Thompson and Monáe brought forth the question of the importance of privacy versus visibility, and their relative (if possible) balance. Which is more important? Is it possible to have both?

While this question is hard to answer due to the complexity it entails and the fact that it will vary based on the environment and experiences of each person, what can be answered and is important is that you do what feels right for you. If you're part of the LGBTQ+ community and still don't feel comfortable to come out or simply don't want to, you are completely 150% entitled to do so. If you feel comfortable opening up and feel that being vocal and visible can contribute a positive difference, then you are also completely 150% entitled to do so. There is no correct answer, it is about doing what is best for you.

It's important that you do a balance of what you feel comfortable in as well as what you believe. In Tessa's case, after long debating and deciding, she ended up feeling that being open was what was best for her, her values, and the message of representation she hopes to instill upon others.

As Tessa Thompson explained to Net-A Porter when talking about her love for acting and pursuing complex characters, "This is not just a job, this is my life...how do I want to spend it? What do I want my story to be?" Whatever narrative she, and anyone else, wants to have concerning their life, it should be up to them, and it for this that Thompson chose to take the reigns and be open about her sexuality.

So, sending a big warm hug to Tessa, and continue to have a Happy Pride, everyone!
(June still isn't over - nor should Pride.) 🌈 

Sincerely, Dora Goto