Colton Haynes Officially Comes Out As Gay: “It Took Me So Long”

After many rumors, and a semi-coming out back in January, the “Arrow” and “Teen Wolf” star makes it official, and tells Entertainment Weekly: I’m gay.

Colton Haynes, also known as the hot Roy Harper on Arrow, candidly talks in the new interview about his mental and anxiety issues, and about his sexual orientation. His coming out process already began a few months ago, when a fan wrote a note about Haynes’ “secret gay past”, to which he replied on his official tumblr – “Was it a secret?”.

Now, Haynes says he wasn’t quite ready for the storm that single comment had brought with it:

“I should have made a comment or a statement, but I just wasn’t ready. I didn’t feel like I owed anyone anything. I think in due time, everyone has to make those decisions when they’re ready, and I wasn’t yet. But I felt like I was letting people down by not coming forward with the rest of what I should have said.

“People who are so judgmental about those who are gay or different don’t realize that acting 24 hours a day is the most exhausting thing in the world… People want you to be that GQ image that you put out.”

According the EW interview, Haynes was “out” most of his life – to his family, friends and co-stars, but was given advice to “subdue” it in Hollywood. “It took me so long to get to this point”, he says, “But I’m doing so good. I’m happier than I’ve ever been, and healthier than I’ve ever been, and that’s what I care about.”