Alyson Stoner Says They Were Fired & Called 'Unsafe' For Coming Out

Alyson Stoner, the former Disney Channel star, believes that coming out as queer has had an impact on their career. In 2018, Stoner revealed their attraction to men, women, and individuals who identify differently. However, the process of coming out was filled with nerves and apprehension.

Stoner explained during an interview on the "I'm Literally Screaming" podcast with Spencewuah that their decision to come out was driven by their girlfriend at the time. They felt that it was unfair to keep their relationship hidden and wanted to do what was right for their partner. Despite the pressures and considerations, Stoner wanted to be public about their identity.

Seeking guidance, Stoner consulted their managers, including Kevin Jonas Sr., the father of the Jonas Brothers, with whom Stoner had worked on the film Camp Rock. Aware of the potential risks, given his background as a former pastor, Jonas Sr. offered loving support and helped Stoner understand the possible impact on public perception and employability.

Unfortunately, Stoner revealed that they did lose a job in the children's show industry due to discrimination after coming out. They stated, "I did end up getting fired from a children's show because they felt that I was unsafe, now that they knew I was queer, to be around kids. So there was like, definitely discrimination." Despite this setback, Stoner firmly believes they made the right choice.

The actor acknowledged the hate comments and death threats that followed but emphasized that the support and beauty they encountered far outweighed the negativity. They describe the experience as both intimidating and liberating.

Before coming out, Stoner had undergone a form of conversion therapy, hoping to suppress their queer side to align with their religious beliefs. They found themselves “considering whether my life was worth living” and realized they had simply been “trying to change something that is what I now understand is very natural.”

In 2021, Stoner released a book called Mind Body Pride, aiming to help queer individuals connect with their authentic selves mentally, physically, and emotionally. They encourage both queer and non-queer individuals to embrace their true selves and listen to their bodies, emphasizing the importance of healing, resilience, and authentic self-expression.

“We may silence the wisdom of our bodies and neglect our basic needs,” they wrote in an Instagram post. “Learning how to listen and rebuild trust with our bodies is essential to healing, building resilience, and speaking our truth authentically."