Actor Jermelle Simon, who features in the Netflix sitcom The Upshaws, used National Coming Out Day on Friday to come out. 

“I wanna say Happy National Coming Out Day,” he said on an Instagram video. “To everyone. To the ones who feel now is the time. To the ones who feel like maybe later. To the ones who may never come out. And to myself.

Jermelle Simon on 'The Upshaws'
Jermelle Simon on ‘The Upshaws’ (Photo: Netflix)

“I want to say to myself Happy National Coming Out Day. I decided to embrace myself fully. All the parts of me. I decided to love myself unconditionally. I decided that the one thing that I thought was the biggest curse in my life is actually the biggest blessing that I could ever receive. I have decided that I am enough. And I want to thank everyone who has helped me to get to that place where I feel seen, where I feel like I belong, where I feel loved. Thank you for that. 

“Thank you for providing a space where I can come on the internet and say, ‘I am a Black, gay man.’ Happy National Coming Out Day.”

Among those to respond was actor and comedian Kalen Allen. He jokingly told Simon, “Welcome! Your initiation will be next week. Don’t be late! Your supply list can be found on Grindr. See you soon!”

Wanda Sykes, co-creator of The Upshaws, said, “Love you Jermelle! (PROUD AUNTIE) 🫶🏾 🌈”

Early life

Jermelle Simon, 35, was born in Florence, South Carolina, the son of a shipyard father and nurse mother. He relocated to Hollywood to pursue his acting dreams. He first landed theatre roles before beginning to pick up small TV appearances around ten years ago. 

His big break came with The Upshaws, which launched in 2021 on Netflix. The show centres around a working-class African American family in Indiana. Simon plays the character, Bernard “Bennie” Upshaw Jr. The season 2 finale of the show in early 2023 revealed the character to be gay. 

In June, the show was renewed for a fifth and final, upcoming season.

Following his Friday coming out announcement, Simon posted another message last night, simply saying “Thank you.”

Related
Comedian Amber Ruffin comes out on the last day of Pride Month with inspiring message
Ncuti Gatwa Comes Out As Queer, Calls ‘Sex Education’ ‘Healing’

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