Andrew Gillum Just Came Out As Bisexual

Former Democratic Florida gubernatorial candidate and Tallahassee mayor Andrew Gillum has come out as bisexual. 

The 41-year-old politician opened up about his sexuality in a recently-aired interview with journalist Tamron Hall on the season premiere of her self-titled talk show where he said he identifies as bi. 

"To be very honest with you, when you didn't ask the question, you put it out there is whether or not I identify as gay. And the answer is I don't identify as gay, but I do identify as bisexual, and that is something that I have never shared publicly before," Gillum told Hall during their conversation. 

"So many people just don’t understand bisexuality," Gillum's wife R. Jai, who was also a part of the interview, said, revealing she's known about Andrew's sexuality since before they got married. "Bisexuality is just something different. I just believe that love and sexuality exist on a spectrum. All I care about is what’s between us and what agreement we make."

"Bisexuality in and of itself doesn't lead to unfaithfulness," Gillum continued, addressing the stereotypes bi people face from society. "There are men who are in marriages with women who just because they're married to a woman doesn't mean they're not attracted to other women, and at any point can slip up, make a mistake, do something, and that is what it is. The same thing in bisexual relationships."

"You can be attracted to both, you got a bigger terrain out there that you have to contend with, but you can still choose to be physically with one person."

Gillum's coming out comes on the heels of controversy he faced earlier this year when was found in a Miami hotel room where another man was being treated for a suspected meth overdose. He has since checked himself into rehab for alcohol abuse. Once described as a "rising star" in the Democratic party, Gillum (who had endorsements from well-known figures like President Barack Obama and Rihanna) had to concede the Florida governor's race during the 2018 midterm elections after a contentious and narrow loss to anti-LGBTQ Republican Ron DeSantis.

We're glad to see Gillum publicly and proudly living in his truth. Congrats, Andrew, and welcome to the family!