Actor Jake Choi who recently came out as sexually fluid broke down in tears as he accepted the Human Rights Campaign Visibility Award and empathized with kids “thrown out by their families because of who they are.”
Choi who is a series regular on ABC’s Single Parents and co-starred in the recent movie The Sun Is Also A Star recalled his upbringing growing up in a strict Korean immigrant household, reported The Advocate.
“Queerness was not an option I knew about growing up. And add to that our rough neighborhood, where each morning when I left our home, I remembered to wear my straight, hyper-masculine attitude like armor to make it through the day,” he shared.
His role in 2015 portraying a gay character in Front cover helped clarify in his mind his own sexual orientation.
“That self-awareness truly forced me to own my identity and my attractions and to take real pride in who I am,” said Choi.
It wasn’t until the end of his speech when he dedicated his award to others that he broke down and cried.
“Tonight, I remember the kids like me growing up in all kinds of neighborhoods, some afraid, some lost and confused, some thrown out by their families because of who they are or who they love. Some — too many — who have taken their own lives due to bullying either by peers or their families and relatives.”
You can watch the entire eight minute speech below.
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