The Reporter Whose Interview Caused Haaz Sleiman To Lie About His Sexuality Responds

Nurse Jackie actor, Haaz Sleiman came out over the weekend in a video where he not only told the world that he’s a total bottom, but had a message for the homophobes who might be interested in harming him for being gay.

In another Facebook post, he addressed the lie he told in a 2009 interview about his sexuality, slamming the reporter who interviewed him for cornering him with the question.

The reporter has responded with the following:

“I am the writer who conducted this 2009 interview. I was not informed beforehand that Sleiman wished to avoid any personal questions, a request I would have honored. As I told Sleiman earlier today in a private Facebook message, I regret the unfortunate miscommunication.

“My goal, however, was not to be unkind or shocking. When writing for LGBT publications, I respectfully interview LGBT people, straight people, and those who choose not to identify publicly. But because these celebrities are speaking to LGBT press, I do offer them an opportunity to identify if they so choose, with the end goal of celebrating and normalizing all sexual identities.

“Had Sleiman replied with ‘I prefer to keep my private life private’ or ‘It’s more fun to keep people guessing,’ I would not have pressed the issue. Had he or his representatives later reached out to request that I edit out the offending exchange, I would have done so without question.

“As I wrote Sleiman privately, I hope that he will accept my apology for my part in making him feel uncomfortable and unsafe in the situation.”

Prior to posting his candid video, Sleiman seems to have been giving fans strong clues about his sexuality in recent weeks with various LGBT-related social media posts. The actor, who appeared in the LGBT-themed films The Ski Trip and Those People, earned much acclaim for his role as an immigrant squatter in The Visitor. He also played Jesus in the miniseries, Killing Jesus.