Brian J Smith talks about sexuality | Behind the scenes Attitude Magazine Sense8, Stargate Universe

Описание: Brian J Smith of Sense8, Stargate Universe | Behind the scenes on his Attitude cover shoot

In an exclusive interview, Brian J Smith – star of Sense8, new Jason Bourne series Treadstone and the BBC war drama World on Fire – talks to Attitude about hiding his sexuality in conservative Texas during his childhood, coming out to his parents, and how London and Berlin opened his eyes to the world.

Read more:
https://attitude.co.uk/article/sense8...

With his action-heavy roles in Sense8, Jason Bourne spin-off series Treadstone and BBC One's current WWII drama World On Fire, Brian J. Smith is the picture of confidence on screen.

But growing up in rural Texas in the shadow of rising 1980s US conservatism, the Tony-nominated star was left feeling isolated by his burgeoning sexuality.

Brian on growing up LGBTQ in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas:
“It was the suburbs, it was middle class, and it’s wonderful. It’s a very easy way to live if you conform to it. But I was terrified. At school I really couldn’t fit in anywhere. I wasn’t a jock or a nerd. Forget about any LGBTQ union or groups. There was absolutely nothing. I was completely alone. I heard all the names: pussy, faggot. I could never be who I was. I was constantly having to check myself and make sure I wasn’t looking at someone too long or making someone feel uncomfortable. I had to be very, very careful about telling people the truth about myself. It still reverberates. A lot of my work is about that. The things that move me as an actor are those echoes that come up.”

Brian on coming out to his parents:
“I was surprised. When I came out to my parents they were wonderful. They said they were just waiting for me to say something. They were a lot more advanced than I gave them credit for. I think that’s when I became OK with it, too. Just in terms of being, ‘Oh that’s the world, it’s not as dangerous as I thought it was’.”

Brian on what Lana and Lilly Wachowski taught him about gender and sexuality:
“The rules are changing. And it’s right that those rules are being written by the people who have been left out of any kind of say in their own destiny for hundreds of years. It’s just time to listen and follow along and let them tell us what makes them feel good. Because as a white cis-gender guy, it’s time for people like me to shut up and be like: ‘What do you need, and how can I support you?’”

Brian on his time living in London:
“I fell in love, I dated this Irish guy for two or three months, and that was fantastic. It’s difficult to describe that feeling. I cherish the photographs I took there, living in Covent Garden. It was incredible. The cheeky British relationship with going out at night — not just going home and locking yourself up. It was a very social place. I loved it, I miss it a lot.”

Brian J Smith is photographed by Harol Baez.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Kesha on open relationships and her bisexuality, new pop-rock sensation Bang Bang Romeo, Jonathan Agassi – life after porn, Evan Davis, Sum Ting Wong, a rape survivor’s journey to finding the strength to date again, and more.


---
Share your comments, stories and tweets with us – we love hearing from our community.

Find us on Facebook:   / attitude.co.uk  
Tweet us on Twitter:   / attitudemag  
Follow us on Instagram:   / attitudemag  

Download the magazine: https://bit.ly/2I0s3eg
Get your monthly subscription: at https://bit.ly/2r0nAAc

The first and last word in gay lifestyle and fashion. Attitude Magazine is the UK's best-selling & award-winning LGBTQ magazine. Get Attitude in your YouTube feed now:
   / attitudemag  

#AttitudeMag