The Upshaws’ Jermelle Simon shares a heartwarming update since coming out as gay
The Upshaws star Jermelle Simon has shared a heartfelt life update since opening up about his sexuality. On 11 October, the 35-year-old talent came out as gay in a heartwarming video celebrating National Coming Out Day. “To the ones who feel like now is the time, to the ones who feel like maybe later, to the ones who may never come out,” he started the video. “And to myself.
I want to say to myself, ‘Happy National Coming Out Day’. I have decided to embrace myself fully, all the parts of me.” Simon is best known for his role as Bernard “Bennie” Upshaw Jr on the Netflix sitcom The Upshaws, which follows a Black working-class family from Indiana.
He further explained that he used to perceive his sexuality as “the biggest curse in my life” – now, he says being part of the LGBTQIA+ community is “actually the biggest blessing I could receive”. “I have decided that I am enough, and I want to thank everyone who has helped me to get to that place where I feel seen, where I feel like I belong, where I feel loved,” he said. “Thank you for providing a space where I can come on the internet and say, ‘I am a Black gay man.'” Since that fateful day, Simon has continued to be an open book regarding his coming out journey.
In a recent interview with Out, the Animal Kingdom star gave insight into why he wanted to discuss his sexuality publically. “It’s funny, that morning I woke up, and I was really heavy for some reason.
