Dove Cameron Says She’s “So Much Better” Mentally Since Coming Out as Queer
A lot has changed for Dove Cameron since she came out as queer in 2020 and then again in 2021. The singer and actor opened up to E! News about the journey she's been on since disclosing her sexual identity in public.
"I honestly look back at that first initial foray into the conversation about my sexuality as my first time ever really being myself publicly," the "Boyfriend" singer said. "I think there's this narrative where if you are a queer person and you speak about your identity, it's [as] though you've been sitting on a secret your whole life, and it's this big revelation. Where in my experience, it wasn't a revelation. I always knew who I was. Ever since I can remember, I knew I was queer."
Dove also dished on the fear and apprehension she struggled with before coming out. "I wasn't ever afraid of people knowing who I loved," she said. "More so, I was afraid of people having access to the human parts of me in an industry that can be so anti-human. That was definitely an emotional thing, but it turned out to be the best thing that could have ever happened to me. Mentally, I'm so much better now."
The joy Dove has found since coming out is something that she wants to share with her fans and supporters. "Social media has changed so much for activism and for community involvement," she said. "I like to tell my younger fans, support your queer friends. Be in queer conversations. Create an open space within you, within your community, within your circles, and that's enough."
The former Disney star previously came out as queer in a cover story for Gay Times, where she reflected on being accused of queerbaiting in her "We Belong" video. "I've hinted about my sexuality for years while being afraid to spell it out for everybody," she explained. "I did a lyric video last year for 'We Belong.' It had moving line drawings of people falling in love…It was all a man and a woman making out, and it was a weird moment for me."
She also explained what being queer means to her. "With the process of coming out, it was about who I am as a whole rather than who I choose to date or sleep with," Dove said. "I'm choosing to love myself, to be who I am every day, and not edit myself depending on the room that I'm in."
You Might Also Like
