Being a celebrity often brings with it questions about your personal life, particularly Tyler Perry who has been subject to several gay rumor swirls. Tyler Perry Studios are owned by him and he also boasts several close friendships as well as having children of his own.
He has had multiple straight relationships, most notably one with Ethiopian model Gelila Bekele; yet many still assume he is gay.
Support for the LGBTQ community
Fame can create its own set of issues, including speculation regarding one’s sexual orientation. Tyler Perry has, thankfully, avoided these rumor mills by keeping his personal life out of the public eye and rejecting all speculation regarding his sexuality despite remaining supportive of LGBTQ communities.
He has worked to combat anti-LGBTQ laws, advocating for equality. Furthermore, he has included LGBTQ characters in his films; most notably his latest Madea franchise installment features Brandon Black as an outlying gay character; marking an important step forward for LGBTQ equality.
Recently, Lee Hampton claimed that Perry asked his friends to keep his sexuality a secret in order to maintain his church-based following and avoid alienating Black gay communities. Recently interviewed by Angela Yee for her podcast Lip Service; Perry denied these allegations outright.
Personal life
Tyler Perry’s movies and television shows have proven immensely popular with audiences worldwide, yet despite this great success he prefers to keep his personal life private. His refusal to reveal his sexual orientation has caused considerable speculation while some even suggest it amounts to an act of erasure for LGBTQ individuals.
Over his career, Perry has been romantically linked to many women. At one point he was romantically involved with both Tyra Banks and Tasha Smith before dating numerous others; Gelila Bekele remains his longest relationship to date – they eventually got married and now share a son together.
Tyler Perry is not gay despite rumors to the contrary; instead, he is an award-winning filmmaker with billionaire status who is widely known for his good looks and talent. Additionally, he has appeared in many straight roles; one reason people may have assumed otherwise was due to Tyler Lepley playing gay characters in Tyler Perry movies such as The Haves and Have-Nots.
Films
Tyler Perry Studios are responsible for producing many critically acclaimed films and stage plays; in addition, Tyler Perry himself serves as an active philanthropist and entrepreneur – yet there have long been speculations regarding his personal life and sexuality.
He is well known for his support of the LGBTQ community and has included gay characters in some of his works, most recently A Madea Homecoming which shows an LGBTQ couple experiencing rejection by their family but ultimately finding acceptance from Madea and her friends.
Perry has not directly addressed gay rumors in interviews or speeches; he has instead hinted at them through interviews, speeches, and films with queer themes such as drag queens. Additionally, he has been linked to multiple women over time but currently dates Ethiopian model Gelila Bekele; they began dating in 2007 and share one child together.
Public statements
Tyler Lepley, best known for his roles in both The Have and the Have Nots and Madea franchise films, recently addressed any lingering speculation regarding his sexuality. Appearing on Angela Yee’s Lip Service podcast hosted by Angela, Lepley revealed that while he likes keeping his private life private he does not identify as gay.
He’s no stranger to supporting LGBT rights either; in Georgia alone, he fought discrimination when he asked Governor Nathan Deal to reject a bill that allowed people to discriminate based on religious belief and built an LGBTQ shelter at his studio in Atlanta.
Producer, director, and actor have an extensive history of dating women; currently unattached from any male relationships; however, he continues to face homophobic images and language, prompting many people to question his sexuality.
Conclusion
Tyler Perry, a celebrated figure in Hollywood, stands tall amidst swirling rumors about his sexuality. With a history of supporting LGBTQ rights and a preference for privacy, Perry reminds us that one’s personal life should not overshadow their professional achievements or humanitarian endeavors. Finding his Sexuality.
