Glee fans rush to congratulate Kevin McHale as he ‘comes out’ on Instagram
(Instagram/kevinmchale)
Glee star Kevin McHale seems to have come out on Instagram – and fans are ecstatic about it.
The actor, who rose to prominence as wheelchair-bound singer Artie Abrams, posted a photo of one hand on top of another person’s hand.
The other hand is rumoured to belong to Austin McKenzie, an actor who has starred in the Deaf West Theatre’s production of Spring Awakening.
(Instagram/kevinmchale)
The pair both featured in When We Rise, a 2017 TV documentary series created by Dustin Lance Black which told the story of the struggle for LGBT equality in the US.
McKenzie, who garnered three Tony Award nominations for his performance in Spring Awakening, has a degree in American Sign Language (ASL) and uses it on stage.
So it was perhaps significant that McHale used a single emoji for the caption, writing: ” “.
McHale and McKenzie together (Getty)
This hand gesture translates as “I love you” in ASL.
And its importance was not lost on fans of the 29-year-old actor, who welcomed and praised the star on his photo.
“I NEVER KNEW HE WAS GAY WTF,” wrote one fan.
(Instagram/kevinmchale)
Another said: “I didn’t know that you’re gay or bi BUT I’m ready to celebrate ️ “.
“Idk if your gay or bi Kevin I love you and support you,” said one sweet fan.
“I’m happy you found someone that makes you happy “.
One commented: “You be you and love you. Love who you love. You are loved either way.❤️”
(Instagram/kevinmchale)
And another wrote: I’m so happy for you Kevin.
“You have so much love and support behind you.
“I’m so proud of you that you felt you could share this with the world ❤️ ️ “.
One person, possibly quoting Lena Waithe’s speech at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards last week, said: “Come out, come out, wherever you are. ❤ “.
McHale, McKenzie and Dustin Lance Black (Getty)
Another said: “MY BB BOI SINCE 2007 I LOVE THIS. ❤️ you made me have heart eyes since the 7th and 8th grade, I had heart eyes when I met you in the NLT days, through Glee, and even now.
“You are such a special human being asdfghjkl I love this and I still love you”.
This morning, McHale posted a picture which was geo-tagged in Barra Grande, a small seaside village in the east of Brazil.
Last year, former Glee actor and singer Jake Zyrus came out as transgender.
Zyrus began work on the hit show in its second season, starring in the role of Sunshine Corazon, a foreign exchange student.
