Hugh Sheridan has been flooded with support this week after his refreshing and raw confession about his sexuality – and his fellow co-stars are leading the pack.
The Packed to the Rafters actor revealed on Sunday that he has dated both men and women in the past in an essay for Stellar, confessing that he isn’t straight, but doesn’t place a label on his sexuality.
In the candid essay, Sheridan wrote: “I believe labels are for clothes, not for people,” he said.
“I’ve never felt I really knew who I was and I didn’t like the sounds of the labels that people were giving me so I decided to say nothing.”
“Lockdown gave me time to reflect and it occurred to me that no-one ever sticks up for people who don’t pick a label.”
He explained that as he gets to know someone romantically, he’s “not interested in their age, gender, sexuality, or religion.”
“I’m interested in connecting on a human level. Sexuality has always been very secondary to me. In a way, I now feel very blessed.”
Hugh Sheridan penned a raw and honest essay about his sexuality.
(Instagram)In the days after his essay was published, he was flooded with messages of support.
“I’m slowly responding, but some are very emotional. It’s quite a lot to take in so soon after opening up” he revealed on Instagram.
He added: “I’m just surprised how many people are feeling the same and I’m glad they know they’re not alone; in turn I know I’m not either.”
Rebecca Gibney was one of many who shared messages of support for Hugh.
(Instagram)One of those messages of support came from someone we all (including Hugh) know and love – Rebecca Gibney.
His Rafters co-star penned an emotional tribute on Instagram for her former co-star, writing: “I’ve loved this boy from the moment I met him 13 years ago. He is one of the most joyful, open hearted empathetic souls I have ever met and I couldn’t be more proud of his wonderful essay in the latest Stellar magazine where he talks about society’s need to label and how he has never fit any of the labels that were given to him.”
She continued: “He loves ‘humans’ not their gender, or race, or religion. He speaks love because that is what he is. As Hugh rightly states ‘labels are for clothes not people’ and if you’re still figuring out who you then that’s ok because that is pretty much all of us.”
The actress concluded: “@hugh_sheridan I’m so blessed to call you my friend. Well done for speaking your truth. Love you to the moon sweetheart.”
Rebecca added a series of sweet throwback snaps of their friendship from over the years, including some comic moments of the two wearing face masks and striking poses.
Hugh and Rebecca played loving mother and son duo Julie and Ben Rafter on the widely popular Aussie drama Packed To The Rafters from 2008 until 2013. The pair are set to reprise their iconic roles in the highly anticipated Back To The Rafters reboot on Amazon.
You’ve got to celebrate Hugh – honest, raw, unashamedly himself, we’re all in.
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