Dancing on Ice star Matt Evers reveals emotional family reason he decided to come out as gay
The pro skater was inspired to talk about his sexuality for the first time after what his uncle went through
DANCING On Ice star Matt Evers has revealed the emotional reason he has come out as gay.
The professional skater has spoken about his sexuality publicly for the first time as he graces the pages of magazine.
Matt, who will be dancing with Candice Brown on the ice skating show, revealed he was inspired to speak about after he witnessed what his uncle went through twenty years ago.
His uncle was “banished” from his family because of their strict religious beliefs and shortly afterwards he tragically died from an AIDs related illness.
He told the magazine: "He was part of the original San Francisco and New York Fire Island crowd back in the 70s and 80s. I didn't know I was gay at the time, but when he was dying it hit me really hard that he didn't know the love of his mum, my grandmother.
"They were strict Catholics at the tip of the Bible belt. I wasn't aware of why his passing and the thought of him never being accepted by his own family hurt me so much until I realised I was gay. It's scary, the difference between generations."
Matt went on to reveal that the current political climate in America, where he is from, has also paid a part in his decision to talk about his sexuality.
"Donald Trump has given a voice to the bullies. Trump himself is a bully and I'm very outspoken about that," he said.
"I live my life by example, and I want to show young people that what you feel or how you were born isn't something bad."
Read the full interview in Attitude’s Travel Issue out now
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