'Grey's Anatomy' actor Jake Borelli's character came out as gay. Then he did too.
Actor Jake Borelli remembers that when he was a kid growing up in Ohio, he desperately wanted to see gay characters on TV.
On Thursday’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy, he was one of the actors featured in the show’s first gay male romance, between his character, intern Dr. Levi “Glasses” Schmitt, and Dr. Nico Kim, played by Alex Landi. The two shared a kiss, and Schmitt came out as gay.
Afterward, Borelli explained how much it all meant to him.
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A post shared by Jake Borelli (@jake.borelli) on Nov 1, 2018 at 9:03pm PDT
“As a gay guy myself, tonight’s episode was so special to me. This is exactly the kind of story I craved as a young gay kid growing up in Ohio, and it blows my mind that I’m able to bring life to Dr. Levi Schmitt as he begins to grapple with his own sexuality this season on Grey’s Anatomy,” the 27-year-old actor shared on Instagram.
Borelli praised Schmitt’s “vulnerability and courage” and told the “little Levis out there” that they are seen.
Fans were all for the romance and cheered on Borelli for his decision to speak out. They shared their feelings about Schmitt’s revelation.
“Congratulations! Welcome to your new found freedom. Be happy!” someone wrote.
“As a lesbian myself, you have no idea how much it means that gay people are out there representing gay characters,” added another. “I am so proud of you and I love you so so much Jake.”
Another viewer thanked Borelli for representing someone like him, for being the kind of character that young Borelli wanted to see.
“This is honestly such an amazing thing,” he wrote, “As a gay man myself, it is so great to see you be able to be yourself in real life and on tv.”
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