This profile is number #1 in Queerty’s Out For Good series, recognizing public figures who’ve had the courage to come out in the past year. The series will run through National Coming Out Day on October 11.
Name: Connor Jessup, 25
Bio: Born in Canada, Jessup may have started out as a child actor in theater and television, but he’s long been wise beyond his years. He executive produced his first film at the age of 17, the same year he began his run on the TNT series Falling Skies. After making his move into film with Blackbird and Closet Monster, he hit it big on the Emmy-winning series American Crime. Next up: A starring role in Netflix’s Locke and Keye.
Coming out: On Instagram this past June, Jessup wrote a lengthy post describing his hesitance to come out publicly even though his friends and family had known his orientation for years. In it, a meditation of sorts on the many faces of shame, Jessup not only acknowledged his own process but the relative privilege he enjoys as a white, cis, upper-middle-class guy from a liberal family. He ended by saying he was “grateful to be gay” because “Queerness is a solution. It’s a promise against cliche and solipsism and blandness; it’s a tilted head and an open window. I value more every day the people, movies, books, and music that open me to it.”
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Making a Difference: While Jessup shines in front of the camera, he’s actually more interested in what happens behind it. He’s made four short films and recently directed a documentary on Palme D’or Award-winning Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul. He and his best friend, Ashley Shields-Muir, founded Big and Quiet Pictures together. This will put him the position to create more vital queer content.
Catholicslutbox
He and drew were the only reasons why I bothered with falling skies.
He would be so hot if he bulked up a bit.
judysdad
He’s just fine the way he is.
ShowMeGuy
He was great in American Crime.
jasentylar
He was sooooo good in American Crime. Both boys (Joey Pollari—-also queer) were fantastic.
TheMarc
I am here for this kind of content. Celebrating brave members of the LGBT community who dared to show their true colors particularly for the purpose of making a difference; not to stay relevant or to regain fame. Connor is a leader and is, hopefully, represent of the young gay leaders of tomorrow.
Cam
Good for him! Well done!