‘Euphoria’ Star Colman Domingo Reflects on Coming Out as Gay to His Family in the 1990s

Colman Domingo recently opened up about a deeply personal chapter of his life, reflecting on the moment he came out as gay to his family in the 1990s. The actor spoke in a calm but emotional way about how those conversations unfolded one by one, and how different each reaction was, depending on the family member he told.

Domingo explained that the first person he confided in was his older brother. He described the moment as tense at first, not knowing what to expect.

His brother’s initial reaction was shock and disbelief, but it quickly turned into acceptance and support. Domingo recalled, “I told him that I was gay. He looked at me and was just like, ‘What?’ He just couldn’t believe it. Eventually, he said, ‘I don’t care, man. I love you anyway.’ And he just hugged me. Then he said, ‘Have you told anyone else?’ I said, no. He said, ‘Alright, this stays between you and me.’”

After that experience, Domingo felt ready to tell another close family member, his sister. That conversation, however, came with a very different emotional response. She reacted with frustration and hurt, not because of his sexuality itself, but because she felt left out of something so important.

Domingo said, “She was pissed off. I said, ‘Look, yes, it was really hard for me to tell him.’ She said, ‘No, no, no. Why didn’t you tell me first?’ She was pissed off because she didn’t get the information first.” Even though the reaction was intense, it still came from a place of care and closeness within the family.

Later, Domingo told his mother. Her response was calmer and more composed, and she took time to process the news. Shortly after their conversation, she reached out again, this time involving his stepfather. Domingo shared what his stepfather told him after hearing the news, saying, “You’re a good boy and there’s nothing you can tell me that would make me stop loving you.” That moment brought another layer of reassurance and acceptance into his life.

Domingo described these conversations as important steps in understanding both himself and his place within his family. While each reaction was different, he said they ultimately helped shape a stronger sense of connection and honesty between them.

The Men’s Health interview also briefly touched on Domingo’s personal life beyond that period. He is now married to Raúl Domingo, whom he met in 2005. The couple later married in 2014 and have built a long-term partnership since then.

Looking back, Domingo’s reflections highlight how coming out can be a different experience even within the same family, with reactions ranging from surprise and emotion to immediate acceptance.

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