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Garrett Clayton Comes Out as Gay

The "King Cobra" star shared the news on Instagram.

Actor Garrett Clayton, who first burst onto the scene in the hit Disney Channel movie musical, Teen Beach Movie, has come out as gay in a new post on his Instagram.

“With the release of my new movie Reach coming up, I thought it was important to explain why I took on this project in the first place," wrote Clayton. "Reach deals with some very serious and timely topics that have affected me personally, and have likely influenced many of your lives as well."

Phillip Faraone/WireImage

HOLLYWOOD, CA - MAY 10: Garrett Clayton attends the premiere of Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm's "Solo: A Star Wars Story" on May 10, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/WireImage)

“When I read the script for Reach, I immediately knew it was a film I had to be a part of," he continued. "I have personally dealt with suicide within my own family, intense bullying in high school, and—on top of it all—myself and the man I’ve been in a relationship with for a long time (@hrhblakeknight) have both experienced shootings within our hometown school systems, and have witnessed the heartache that takes place in affected communities after such tragic events. These topics – not always easy to discuss- are all close to my heart, and, knowing how serious they are, I wanted to share this with you all. This film has come from the perspectives of people who care deeply about these issues, and if watching it helps even one person… then it was all worth it. ♥️”

This is the first time Clayton has spoken publicly about his sexuality, but he has played gay onscreen before. He portrayed Brent Corrigan in the gay porn thriller, King Cobra, and he dated Noah Galvin's character on The Real O'Neals. At the Pasadena Playhouse in 2016 he starred alongside Al Pacino and Judith Light in the play, God Looked Away, where he played a hustler hired by Tennessee Williams (Pacino).

Clayton also starred as Link Larkin in the NBC television event, Hairspray Live!

In response to the post, Clayton's boyfriend, Blake Knight, posted a picture on his Instagram account with the caption:

"So proud of @garrettclayton1 today! He’s overcome a lot, and still has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I’ve ever met. Handsome, talented, hilarious, kind… what’s not to love?! It’s been an awesome journey all over the world together so far, and I’m looking forward to many more years and trips and puppies and movies and naps and dinners and friends! I love you, Gary!"

While promoting King Cobra in 2016, Clayton was reluctant to share any tidbits about his own sexuality:

“I don’t really like talking about my personal life,” he told Out magazine. “I like a certain amount of veil. I’ve been very lucky this year. I haven’t been brought down because people are focused on who I’m dating, what I’m eating, or what handbag is the best handbag — that’s so cheap to me.”

“But if others want to open up about their personal lives,” he added, “that is their choice. It’s not for me to judge.”

Clayton's new movie, Reach, a dramedy about teenage bullying and suicide, will be released October 19 in select theaters and VOD.

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