Arts & Entertainment
Jesse Tyler Ferguson came out after he was caught stealing gay porn
the actor’s father had a hard time accepting his son was gay
Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Screenshot courtesy of YouTube)
Jesse Tyler Ferguson revealed that he came out to his parents after an embarrassing incident.
The “Modern Family” star shared the story as part of PEOPLE’s Coming Out Stories video series. He explained that he stole porn from his local bookstore when he was a freshman in high school. Ferguson was caught by metal detectors and his parents had to come get him.
“I shamefully showed them the magazines under my shirt and they took me into a backroom and I was held there and a police officer came and arrested me.” Ferguson says.“My mom and dad had to come to the store and they had to show them the ‘nature of the material’ I was stealing and that’s sort of how I came out. I find it funny now, but at the time it was incredibly traumatizing.”
Ferguson says his father had the most difficult time accepting his sexuality.
“Ironically, my father still had a hard time catching up. I snuck some straight porn in there too, so that threw him off just enough,” Ferguson, who says he had to come out to his father three times, says.
Now, Ferguson is happily married to Justin Mikita.
“I’m now married, and my father, who had such a hard time accepting my sexuality, danced at my wedding very happily,” Ferguson says.
The Capital Pride Alliance presented the 2026 Capital Pride Honors at “The Audacity Brunch: In Full Fuchsia” at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 7.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
Out & About
Congressional Cemetery hosts Gays & Graves
Daylong Pride celebration blends history, remembrance, art and community
Historic Congressional Cemetery will host the second annual “Gays & Graves: A Big Gay Festival” on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m.
The event will feature pioneering activist Randy Wicker, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, and new public art installations and programs celebrating LGBTQ+ history. Gays & Graves is an official partner event of Capital Pride 2026.
This event is a daylong Pride celebration blending history, remembrance, art and community. Visitors can shop from LGBTQ+ and allied artists and makers, experience performances and interactive installations, and engage with programs exploring LGBTQ+ history and lived experience.
For more details, visit the cemetery’s website.
Baltimore Pride is underway, taking place from June 8-14.
The Pride Parade will be on Saturday, June 13 at 12 p.m. at Charles Street & North Avenue, followed by the Pride Block Party at 1 p.m. at Druid Hill Park. And then the Pride Festival will be held on Sunday, June 14 at 12 p.m. at Druid Hill Park.
There will be an array of additional events including: a fashion show, a “Suits and Sneakers” reception and a 5k race, among many other events.
For more details, visit Baltimore Pride’s website.
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