David Archuleta has come out as LGBT+. (Instagram)
American Idol star David Archuleta has proudly come out as a member of the LGBT+ community, admitting he tried to change himself “for almost 20 years”.
The 30-year-old, who came second on the seventh season of American Idol in 2008, opened up about how he identifies on Instagram on Saturday (12 June).
The singer said he normally likes to keep to himself, but felt that it was “important to share” his story to help other people who had a “religious upbringing”.
David Archuleta – who was raised as a Mormon – told fans that he came out as gay to his family in 2014. However, he admitted that he wasn’t sure of his sexuality then and he is still not certain exactly how he identifies.
He said he had “similar feelings for both genders” so thought he might be bisexual – but he later came to wonder if he might be asexual as he doesn’t have the same level of sexual desire as “most people”.
Archuleta joked that not having much sexual desire works just fine for him as he is still committed to remaining celibate until marriage as part of his faith.
He wrote: “There are people experiencing the same feelings of being LGBTQIA+… who are wrestling to follow their beliefs that are so important to them, just as I have.
“[I don’t know] what to make of it and I don’t have all the answers. I just invite you to please consider making room to be more understanding and compassionate to those who are LGBTQIA+, and those who are a part of that community and trying to find that balance with their faith which also is a huge part of their identity like myself.”
He went on to say that people of faith and Christians – including the Church of the Latter-day Saints – can “do better” and urged them to “listen more to the wrestle between being LGBTQIA+ and a person of faith”.
David Archuleta insists you can be LGBT+ and ‘still believe in God’
“There are more than you may realise going through that wrestle after all the misunderstandings that come with it,” he wrote.
“I don’t think it should come down to feeling you have to accept one or the other. For me to find peace the reality has been to accept both are real things I experience and make who I am. I’ve yet to figure out what that means but I appreciate you listening to this personal matter.
“Again I don’t feel comfortable sharing it, but felt I needed to to bring awareness to people in my same situation and let you know you’re not alone.
“You can be a part of the LGBTQIA+ community and still believe in God and His gospel plan.
“I’ve tried for almost 20 years to try and change myself until I realised God made me how I am for a purpose.
“Instead of hating what I have considered wrong I need to see why God loved me for who I am and it’s not just sexuality. So many other traits of who I am come from how I’ve been created.”
Archuleta was congratulated by a wide array of celebrities for his coming-out post, with many heaping praise on him for drawing attention to the issues facing queer people of faith.
Will & Grace icon Leslie Jordan commented: “Proud of you sweet boy. You have an army of supporters. And now it’s time to live your best life.”
David Cook, who competed on American Idol with Archuleta in 2008, commented: “Love you man, and so proud of who you are.”