Singer Jason Mraz is being more candid than ever about his sexuality.
In a new interview with The Daily Telegraph, Mraz says he was reluctant to come out as bisexual after growing up in the conservative town of Mechanicsville, Virginia.
“I saw how [gay and lesbian people] get harassed and I heard the language around it and that scared me,” he singer revealed. “I thought ‘if I’m gay, what does that mean for me, my community, my family and career?”’
He added, “It was a struggle. I was nervous about what my family would think.”
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Had it not been for the conservative environment he was born into, he may have come out much sooner.
The 42-year-old has talked in vague terms about his sexuality a few times over the years, however. In 2005, he described himself as “bisexually open-minded” in an interview with Genre. And in a chat with Pride Source in 2010, he made a wink-wink comment that experimenting with his sexuality made him realize he’s “not really into facial hair.”
But it wasn’t until last year that Mraz came out publicly as bisexual.
“I’ve had experiences with men, even while I was dating the woman who became my wife. It was like, ‘Wow, does that mean I am gay?” he told Billboard.
“And my wife laid it out for me. She calls it ‘two spirit,’ which is what the Native Americans call someone who can love both man and woman. I really like that.”
During Pride 2018, he also contributed a poem for Billboard’s Pride series, in which he wrote: “I am bi your side. All ways.”
Kenover
And in another ten years he’ll declare that he’s gay. (((yawn)))
cassiew
Not cool to imply bisexuality does not exist.
ShiningSex
@cassiew, I don’t think Kenover is implying that bisexuality doesn’t exist. I think it’s that someone who waited that long to simply say “I am bi” is a yawn. Sorry but it is.
I question why he keeps saying “If I’m gay”. Sounds like there’s more to him than bi if he keeps saying sentences like that. Anyway, who cares. His music sucks and he’s a bore.
RandyC
That’s not cool. If he is Bi then he is Bi, period. it’s not right to assume he is more…..
Donston
Most people (particularly “queers”) recognize by this point that “bi” exist. Some people just don’t like how folks use “bi” as a sociological and political set-up instead of merely being direct about their dimensions and who they really want to be with. But most people I know are well that “bi” is a reality. The bigger issues are people not respecting self-identity, not understanding fluidity, and not understanding and respecting the romantic, sexual, relationship spectrum. A lot of people just don’t care about the dimensions. if you a dude and you’re with a girl and want to be with a girl you “straight”. If you with a dude or want to be with a dude you “gay”. I can understand that perspective and the “bi pride” perspective.
Donston
Most people (particularly “queers”) recognize by this point that “bi” exist. Some people just don’t like how folks use “bi” as a sociological and political set-up instead of merely being direct about their dimensions and who they really want to be with. But most people I know are well aware that “bi” is a reality. The bigger issues are people not respecting self-identity, not understanding fluidity, and not understanding and respecting the romantic, sexual, relationship spectrum. A lot of people just don’t care about the dimensions. if you a dude and you’re with a girl and want to be with a girl you “straight”. If you with a dude or want to be with a dude you “gay”. I can understand that perspective and the “bi pride” perspective.
azmadik
an even more (yawn) statistical likelihood,
he only makes love to women(s) but probably just his wife (yawn x2 ?) and the guys he fooled around with, something everyone (mostly) just does in college (if you’re lucky) and could care less what anyone thinks, (especially us ? who thought his music was trash ? either way) take it easy people ??
batesmotel
That’s not necessarily true. You’re confusing 17-22 year olds that say they’re bisexual as a stepping stone before saying they’re actually gay. Generally someone older that is bisexual remains bisexual because it’s what they’ve always been. Whereas the younger ones coming out as bi is a safety device.
startenout
Good for him! I think coming out as a bi male is one of the hardest things with the hate you get from all sides— gay and straight.
GentlemanCaller
I think you’re absolutely right. As a gay man, when I came out I was more or less celebrated for bravery, for having endured life in the closet, and for my new status as potential purse- and shoes-consultant. Men who come out as bi are either viewed as “probably gay” or “on the road to gay,” or as just selfish nits who want everything.
ShiningSex
It’s not tough to announce you’re bi. It’s tough to say YES I AM GAY, SO WHAT.
A lot of times gays use “bi” as a way to see how comfortable people are with their TRUE sexuality.
So sorry, but no kudos to saying you’re bi moreso than kudos to those who say Yes I am gay.
That being said, yes it’s good for people to come out, but why did he wait until his career was crap? That’s the Ricky Martin syndrome.
baggins435
I’m what someone once called a “gold star gay” as I have never been remotely interested in women, never kissed, or even dated any while growing up. However, it seems to me, in the great scheme of things, that being bisexual would be more common than either Kinsey 0’s or 6’s. I think when you don’t have strong feelings either way it is easier to succumb to societal pressure and ignore part of yourself. I have two brothers who are also gay and one thinks Bi’s are just gays half in the closet. I worked with a guy who identified as straight, yet admitted to fooling around with his gay best friend in High School. Is he straight, Bi, or “in denial?” People get as touchy about sexual identity. Some think if you have ever touched another guy’s dick, you are gay. Good for Mraz, but his sexuality is between him and his wife, no reason to disparage him.
masterwill7
People love putting other people in boxes so much!!! They can’t handle it if they don’t understand someone (even us gays)… And yes, most guys never go back once they have tried men! But the world isn’t black or white, its all sorts of grey too..
enlightenone
Tell him then, not us!
IanHunter
Every 5 years he will make a new discovery.
Donston
That’s sometimes how it goes. Fluidity and the general spectrum are real. But so are things like denial, internalized homophobia, gay shame, self-misandry and obsession with maintaining hetero appeal. Ultimately, it’s his identities, his journey, his love, his own contentment, his life.
ScottOnEarth
Jason’s sexuality is not my concern – what I love about him is his sweet, beautiful music and voice.
Donston
Baggin435, bisexuality or having some dimensions or fluidity in your orientation is indeed a bit more common than being homosexual in every way and being inherently homo throughout your life. The problem with “bi” is that it means so many different things to so many different people. And many people (particularly men) do use non gay identities as social and ego crutches. While quite a few bi identifying/behaving men exude internalized homophobia or they low-key promote homosexual shame or straight/hetero-leaning worship. But the reality is that everyone is different and everyone embraces whatever identity (or don’t embrace whatever identity) for their own reasons. No matter what you inherently are, what lifestyle you live or what identities you embrace everyone just needs to better when it comes to sympathy, education and being real. That’s why preaching honesty, freedom, self-understanding, and the romantic, sexual, affection, emotion, relationship spectrum are all more important than merely pushing identity.
PugsBuddy
All I gots to say is “Yumm-O!” I adore him.
frankcar1965
He’s gonna ditch the bitch and make the switch one day, everyone knows it.
Esscourt
Ummmmm… who cares?
garbone100
Only question I have is “why?” Is he saying he’s available for nookie as long as you don’t have facial? It’s very claustrophobic in that closet. If the wife is cool with it, gives her time for other activities. I always thought he leaned gay and like him regardless.
Donston
It seems like he “officially” came out mainly to adhere to identity and sexual politics. He’s saying all the right things. And he’s leaving out anything that would make him look too bad or too much like there’s struggles he’s still contending with. It’s almost too clean. And yeah, it seems like he has a bit of “arrangement” with his wife. But ultimately, it’s his love and sex life. I’m kinda doubting he’ll be leaving his wife or will legit be with a dude any time soon if ever.
Jack Meoff
Another one I have never heard of. Where do all these mediocre American singers keep coming from?
batesmotel
He’s pretty popular. He’s been around for ten years. He’s made over $20 million in sales from his music. He’s known to many people.
Curtispsf
If you’ve ever been to a Jason Mraz concert, you’d recognize what a gifted musician / singer he is. He treats his audience with kindness and respect and is very soft spoken. He kind of has a “hippie” vibe to him. If “HE” says he’s bi, I have no reason to doubt him or disparage his identification. Sure, maybe YOU were “bi” on the way to being “gay” (I was), but that doesn’t mean that truly “bi” people don’t exist. Get off your soapbox and just be who YOU are and don’t worry about how the rest of the world identifies. And I happen to LIKE Jason Mraz’s music but I can’t stand Barbara Streisand so go figure.