Murder’s Jack Falahee Isn’t Telling You Jack About His Sexuality

Murder’s Jack Falahee Isn’t Telling You Jack About His Sexuality

What’s always the first clue that an up-and-coming TV star might be gay?

A) They submit to a splashy feature story in Out magazine, complete with a sexy layout,

and/or

B) They decline to discuss whether they’re gay or straight.

Sure, there have been plenty of Out stories that feature straight folks that are gay allies, but aren’t nine out of ten straight actors who make it big playing gay characters, when asked about their orientation, quick to admit that they’re not gay? (Case in point: We all knew from the beginning that Will & Grace‘s Eric McCormack was straight, but Sean Hayes remained tight-lipped about it for over a decade, annoying many of his fans — some of whom never forgave him.)

Jack Falahee, who plays sexy gay law student Connor Walsh on the hit show How to Get Away with Murder, has made quite a splash on the series, appearing in some oft-discussed, highly graphic man-on-man sex scenes (the sort that Billy Crystal doesn’t want to see too much of). As fans of the show, we love how comfortable his character is with his sexuality and how said sexuality is handled by the other characters — either as a non-issue or with a big thumbs up (when he seduces a sexy bad guy as a way of getting information).

Falahee, however, is evidently less comfortable. When asked straight-out by Out whether he’s gay or straight, his answer is slick:

‘I don’t think answering who I’m sleeping with accomplishes anything other than quenching the thirst of curiosity. And moreover, it seems reductive. It’s been really interesting to be in the middle of the industry’s fascination with the individual, because I never thought about that growing up or when I was at acting school. No matter how I answer, someone will say, “No, that’s not true.”’

We get it: It’s your first big break as an actor and you’re afraid that coming out at this stage might fuck it up. But we also think the truth is more than likely revealed by your reluctance to discuss it.

And finding out this way saddens us.

This is not meant to be a condemnation of Falahee. In fact, we love him. We just think the Sean Hayes response is so two decades ago.

Later in the article, he says, “I really hope that — if not in my lifetime, my children’s lifetime — this won’t be a question, that we won’t need this.” Which is certainly a nice sentiment. But rather than wishing the question didn’t exist, we’d prefer it if the answer simply didn’t matter. Which it clearly does to Falahee.

But we’re getting there. Slowly.

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  1. Lord II
    February 10, 05:00 Reply

    Ok so he talked about his children….at least that gives off some clue right? Abeg let’s give the guy a break jo and not judge until he admits it himself!

    • pinkpanthertb
      February 10, 05:13 Reply

      What clue does he speaking about his children give? #AskingBecauseIReallyWantToKnow

      • A-non
        February 10, 05:30 Reply

        Hi Pinky, sent you a mail yesterday

    • Max
      February 10, 05:24 Reply

      Speaking about children doesn’t give any clue.. Gay ppl have children too… Adopted or biological.. You have kids don’t you?? @Lord

    • Khaleesi
      February 10, 05:31 Reply

      ‘Give break and not judge’ huh?? Lord!!! You really don’t think your comments through do you?? You’re using the word ‘judge’ like he’s being condemned for some horrible atrocity … well, i guess for someone who describes being gay as a ‘bad habit we pick up along tje way’, being gay is indeed a horrible and dirty thing …. ***gives you a vicious side eye***

      • trystham
        February 10, 09:34 Reply

        looool. SMH. Khaleesi, u know u r a GOOD teacher right???

  2. Dennis Macaulay
    February 10, 05:19 Reply

    Sexuality is a private matter and no one should be forced to discuss it. If he doesn’t want to discuss it at this point its okay, queen latifa still hasn’t talked about it after all these years.

    If he talks about it fine, if he doesn’t Fine too. Its his prerogative

    • Gad
      February 10, 06:26 Reply

      verily ,verily,I say unto you, there will be more sanity in the world the day we start treating sexuality and sex as a private concern

      • Ade
        February 10, 08:13 Reply

        God bless you Gad for this wonderful “not included in the bible” verse. I wonder why they omitted it during compilation.

        • Gad
          February 10, 14:46 Reply

          Ade the omission was not intentional. It was done by “auto correct”

    • obatala
      February 10, 06:36 Reply

      strongly and thoroughly seconded. I really do not care who the next person is sleeping with. just act a good movie, that’s the only business I have with you.

    • Ace
      February 10, 12:31 Reply

      Seriously, I kinda find this article to pushy and nosy. Everybody has personal battles and not everyone can pull off a “Kenny” stunt. If he doesn’t want to talk about his sexuality, make den free am. If he feels it shouldn’t be talked about now, let everyone back off. Gay people shouldn’t be too fast to pull everyone in the train to gayville, some people may prefer the slower option of the bus.

  3. KryxxX
    February 10, 05:24 Reply

    I think I share his sentiments though! My sexuality should b my business nd who I sleep with should also be say. It should b a secondary part of ones life nd shouldn’t b d first thing we see or say when we r talking about them or me. Actually discussed same thing with a friend yesterday nd I was re-echoing same sentiments.
    The way some of them over there wear d badge eh, like their lives revolves on being gay!

  4. Max
    February 10, 05:25 Reply

    I think I agree with him. People are just too damn curious.. He shld be left alone biko..

  5. A-non
    February 10, 05:32 Reply

    Am hoping at sometime this year I get to pull off this Lastma vest o!

    See me running to Google to find out who Hack and Sean are…kai!

  6. A-non
    February 10, 05:54 Reply

    Good morning DM, yes I got the mail yesterday and also dropped a thank you note. You didn’t receive it?

  7. DeadlyDarius
    February 10, 06:06 Reply

    I can completely see why he doesn’t want to pigeon-holed into only certain roles by saying he is gay or bi….in an ideal world this question would not be asked.

    But as an up and coming celebrity, you will definitely lose some privacy. Even celebs do keep certain info close to their chest. I’m guessing he feels he can handle the fall-out

  8. Dennis Macaulay
    February 10, 06:07 Reply

    You mails always go straight to my sperm folder and I wont get a notification. I’d check now

    • pinkpanthertb
      February 10, 07:22 Reply

      His males are going to your sperm, huh? Issorait. *stirring tea vigorously*

  9. Gad
    February 10, 06:20 Reply

    Indeed. we are getting there

  10. Mercury
    February 10, 06:40 Reply

    Taaaaaa, blame it on auto correct, u hia.

  11. Mercury
    February 10, 06:45 Reply

    Sexuality is definitely a private matter, don’t ask and I won’t tell either, well unless you’re a female I don’t like hitting on me then I will tell ooo make e end dia. Sean Hayes tho, they just shouldn’t have asked.

  12. A-non
    February 10, 07:03 Reply

    DM, well done o! Disi ike!

  13. Silvery Cat
    February 10, 07:04 Reply

    Quick question, what if U were chatting with a close friend who isn’t homophobic and is open-minded and the question pops out, how will U reply?

    • pinkpanthertb
      February 10, 07:17 Reply

      With the truth. Simple as that. I’ve come out to a few close friends that way. We’d be talking of emotion-charged issues; the question would pop up and I’d drop it like its hot.

  14. Absalom
    February 10, 07:09 Reply

    How come we only hear “sexuality is private” around gay people? It’s homophobes who spread that agenda to shut us up indirectly.

    Everyone should be able to talk about their sexuality (defined or undefined). If nothing else, it prevents romantic accidents.

    Also, a person’s sexual orientation AND who they sleep with are not always the same thing. Let’s stop mashing the two together. Asking you about who you’re naturally inclined to love is not the same thing as wanting details of your sex life. The latter is private (unless you choose to spill).

    That said… Sexuality is a politically charged issue – unfortunately. Important public decisions get made over it – again unfortunately. So Queerty’s cynicism over Falahee’s response is unkind and uncalled for. This guy just started a career that’s very important to him – he went to acting school for crying out loud; being cagey about his sexuality is him just protecting his dreams. He’s not betraying anyone (as some of the gay community want to think) neither is he manipulating his fan base to stay relevant.

    I barely noticed him in HTGAWM but abeg they should allow the poor guy to follow his dreams before they start their wahala.

  15. McGray
    February 10, 07:16 Reply

    I can’t comprehend why people are so curious to know if you are gay or not. A guy in my department actually asked if I’m gay in d midle of our non-sex discusion and when i requested what brought about the ‘Jamb Question’ he said he was just curious to know. I told him ‘Guy u dey craze’. Ppl shld just mind their bzns nah haba.
    PS: I’m still looking forward to the get together party Pinky said we wil b having dis year.

    • pinkpanthertb
      February 10, 07:20 Reply

      Who said biko? In what conversation did i say it? What prompted it to be said? And was acquiescence given to such said thing?

    • Gad
      February 10, 13:27 Reply

      People should devote more time to breaking news on CNN rather than ask silly questions. Ijuta isi enwe iwere agba ya mee gini?

  16. Chizzie
    February 10, 07:22 Reply

    like we’ve discussed before..coming out is a very delicate issue and a choice that d individual makes at the appropriate time, and if he’s really gay then I think it’s wise he remains in the closet at this point in his career. He’s still a newbie, on a debut show…so coming out should be the last thing on his mind. And I think its mighty insensitive for Out Mag to have asked him that question.

  17. McGray
    February 10, 07:33 Reply

    Pinky easy na biko! U wan blast moi head?? Na only shikini question i asked datzol!

  18. McGray
    February 10, 07:39 Reply

    Chizzie i can now rest seeing ur comment as i always look forward to. Lest i fgt, i saw where DM gave d reason he opens doors for PP. I couldnt stop laughing at naughty Denny

  19. Tony Odekunle-Brown
    February 10, 07:42 Reply

    If I was Jack I won’t answer that question.

    Once I do, I’d be typecasted and I’d be the go to gay guy when hollywood needs one.

    Look at Jussie Smollett from Empire or that guy from Ugly Betty and Partners.

    Anyways, I am not saying it is wrong to come out but if he really is gay, I won’t advise him to.

    Mark Ruffalo played a gay guy in the Normal Heart. Jared Leto played a transexual. Sean Penn played a gay activist. Why aren’t people hassling them. I feel like we like to put people in a box and define them by who they sleep with. Acting is an art and people should focus on that.

    I love Mr. Falahee though. *sigh*

    • pinkpanthertb
      February 10, 08:00 Reply

      About getting typecast, Falahee has said he won’t mind that.

  20. Dennis Macaulay
    February 10, 07:48 Reply

    Mercury and PP continu my god will answer you

    It was autocorrect

  21. Max
    February 10, 07:59 Reply

    OAN: who saw empire S01 E05?? I was thoroughly entertained.. That boi Hakeem has a banging bod.

    And Deola, no spoilers pls.. For those who haven’t seen it.

    • pinkpanthertb
      February 10, 08:12 Reply

      So between Deola’s and Max’s hard dick…sorry, disc, whichever one shall i rape…sorry, raid? #ThisAutocorrectSef

      • Deola
        February 10, 08:16 Reply

        Autocorrect called, he is tired of receiving the blame for you people’s messiness.

      • Dennis Macaulay
        February 10, 08:51 Reply

        PP you sew why you will not make heaven.
        Continu my god will answer you

    • Deola
      February 10, 08:14 Reply

      Lmao…i shall not say a word.

      • Deola
        February 10, 08:33 Reply

        I understand why he wont want to answer the question…typecasting does exist in hollywood and it isn’t cool. He is the breakout (hehehe) star of a hit show, and he plays his role brilliantly and with that kind of exposure , he’s private life goes out the window, he should get used to this particular question, its never gonna stop being asked.

        That being said He would have to answer the question at some point, Sean Hayes even with all his dodging had to, and since then has mostly gotten gay roles to play on tv.

        Thats not to say there aren’t gay actors who are cast as Straight guys and do a great job at it. Typecasting definitely isn’t as bad as it was.

        I think I already know what team he plays for anyways…

      • Dennis Macaulay
        February 10, 08:57 Reply

        My deola

        That Lagos lunch must happen. Do come with your arse-nal of movies

        ***stands by to pour mercury hot coffee ***

      • Mercury
        February 10, 18:06 Reply

        *walks by wearing rubber protective suit and stirring ma hot cuppa tea*.

    • Ace
      February 10, 12:42 Reply

      Oh honey, I dey watch am as e dey hot and my time zone gets to see it before most states. I’ll just be dropping spoilers all over Facebook to piss the later viewers off.

      • Deola
        February 10, 14:12 Reply

        Ace thats Evil…i like.

    • Heiress
      February 10, 15:02 Reply

      Please that Hakeem looks like he is using bleaching cream from Pella. Next!!! Lol

    • Lord II
      February 10, 18:35 Reply

      Max biko do the honourable thingy and share the weblink dear!

  22. pinkpanthertb
    February 10, 08:02 Reply

    Nollywood, you mean?

    Another sin of autocorrect? *daintily blowing on steamy tea*

  23. Absalom
    February 10, 08:14 Reply

    Loooool. Na the same thing you and me dey talk, Dennis.

  24. tobby
    February 10, 09:11 Reply

    Why is it so important to know if people are gay or not?.. Does it add or take any value from anyone/anything????

  25. Gad
    February 10, 14:39 Reply

    Hollywood? You see?

  26. Heiress
    February 10, 14:59 Reply

    I actually heard he was dating the black girl Micheala Pratt (Naomi King) from the show. But hey who knows, she might just be his beard. Daryll Stephens from Noah’s Arc never came out even when the show was running. But this is 2015 ain’t nobody judging, like Cookie from the show Empire will say :-)!!

  27. Heiress
    February 10, 15:05 Reply

    Hmm Sperm huh? That’s just so funny in so many levels haha. I am trying to picture a scenario hehe

  28. Brian Collins
    February 11, 03:29 Reply

    Let me just say i just concluded episode 11 at 3.49am today and do i love him. He is just too fine and too good at acting gay, not to be gay.

  29. hung
    February 11, 07:01 Reply

    Read the response you quoted. he responded to his sexuality there.

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