Jessica Gunning is honoured with Attitude Culture Award after coming out as ‘a big old gay’ while her Baby Reindeer co-star Richard Gadd makes dapper arrival at Time100 Next Gala

Jessica Gunning is honoured with Attitude Culture Award after coming out as 'a big old gay' while her Baby Reindeer co-star Richard Gadd makes dapper arrival at Time100 Next Gala

As I delve into Jessica’s heartfelt journey, I can’t help but be moved by her courage and resilience. Her transformation from a teenager donning dungarees to an accomplished actress who proudly embraces her identity is truly inspiring. Her work in Pride, a historical comedy-drama that mirrors the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community, underscores her commitment to breaking barriers and challenging societal norms.


At The Attitude Awards 2024 held on Wednesday at The Roundhouse in Camden, Jessica Gunning received The Culture Award. This recognition came to her two years after she publicly declared her identity.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the ocean, Richard Gadd, my fellow reindeer in the movie, was attending the 2024 Time100 Next Gala held at Chelsea Piers in New York City.

Jessica, aged 38, exuded elegance in a sleek black jumpsuit resembling a tuxedo, complete with satin-trimmed collars, and further enhanced the look with a vibrant neon orange handbag as an accessory.

The Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards honor outstanding individuals from the LGBTQ+ community and their supporters, presenting several accolades in total.

The actress received her award from comedian and author Jack Rooke, clearly thrilled by the recognition.

Jessica Gunning is honoured with Attitude Culture Award after coming out as 'a big old gay' while her Baby Reindeer co-star Richard Gadd makes dapper arrival at Time100 Next Gala

Jessica Gunning is honoured with Attitude Culture Award after coming out as 'a big old gay' while her Baby Reindeer co-star Richard Gadd makes dapper arrival at Time100 Next Gala
Jessica Gunning is honoured with Attitude Culture Award after coming out as 'a big old gay' while her Baby Reindeer co-star Richard Gadd makes dapper arrival at Time100 Next Gala

Approximately two years ago, in the month of November 2022, the award-winning celebrity publicly acknowledged her identity as a lesbian, marking a significant milestone in her life.

It took her several years to come to terms with the fact that she was gay because she hadn’t considered it as an option for herself, even though there were clear indications like her on-stage kisses with Cate Blanchett every night during the play “When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other.

Jessica shared that it felt similar to a hidden truth she had concealed within her for numerous years. She exclaimed that revealing this aspect of herself brought about a sense of liberation and uniqueness.

Speaking on the Reign podcast last June, she reminisced about her initial coming-out experience in November 2022, which was a significant milestone for her as she had kept it hidden for such a long time.

In my social circle, everyone around me identifies as LGBTQ+, and since most of my friends are part of this community, it wasn’t a question of hiding or suppressing who I am. Instead, I hadn’t yet considered the possibility that I might also identify as gay.

Reflecting upon my personal journey, I recall a profound moment when the pieces of my identity finally fell into place. It was as if a veil had been lifted, and I found myself saying, “This is who I am, this has always been me.” Coming to terms with being gay was a monumental step in understanding myself better. This realization brought clarity and a sense of self-acceptance that I hadn’t felt before, allowing me to embrace my true identity wholeheartedly.

She added: ‘For such a long time, I had believed, “I must be a larger person,” and I wondered if perhaps it was due to my stature that I sometimes felt somewhat out of place or as if I didn’t quite belong.’

Once I figured it out, I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Ah, this is exactly what it is!”, and it felt incredibly freeing.

Jessica Gunning is honoured with Attitude Culture Award after coming out as 'a big old gay' while her Baby Reindeer co-star Richard Gadd makes dapper arrival at Time100 Next Gala
Jessica Gunning is honoured with Attitude Culture Award after coming out as 'a big old gay' while her Baby Reindeer co-star Richard Gadd makes dapper arrival at Time100 Next Gala

She jokingly said: “Looking back, it’s no surprise that I resembled Take That asking ‘Who’s fit in this picture?’ since I used to dress like a typical teenager, donning overalls, a fanny pack, and sporting a backwards cap with the words ‘No Fear’ on it.

‘So everyone around me probably was like “When is she going to come out?” And it took me 36 years.’

In the year 2014, Jessica played a role in the historical comedy-drama titled “Pride,” which depicted real-life events involving the LGBTQ+ community’s efforts to eliminate the societal prejudice surrounding sexual orientation within the nation.

Looking back at the project, she remarked: ‘I should have realized during the Pride events as I was constantly tearing up. It was so emotionally charged that I should have picked up on it sooner.’

Later, I starred in a production alongside Cate Blanchett, and each night, we shared a stage kiss. In hindsight, it seems obvious. There were numerous indications before the Reindeer incident that should have tipped me off.

Speaking about her life since revealing her sexuality as gay, she expressed: ‘It’s been extraordinary; it’s been liberating, stabilizing, and surprisingly serene. In truth, I feel incredibly calm.’

Initially, I had the misconception that it would merely resemble a sexual experience. However, it turns out to be nothing like that; instead, it’s about expressing one’s true identity. What makes it truly profound is its deep emotional resonance.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve often heard from my straight friends that they harbor a certain admiration for individuals who come out. They view it as a joyous declaration and affirmation of one’s true identity, something many can only dream of experiencing themselves.

Jessica Gunning is honoured with Attitude Culture Award after coming out as 'a big old gay' while her Baby Reindeer co-star Richard Gadd makes dapper arrival at Time100 Next Gala
Jessica Gunning is honoured with Attitude Culture Award after coming out as 'a big old gay' while her Baby Reindeer co-star Richard Gadd makes dapper arrival at Time100 Next Gala
Jessica Gunning is honoured with Attitude Culture Award after coming out as 'a big old gay' while her Baby Reindeer co-star Richard Gadd makes dapper arrival at Time100 Next Gala

It seems that we’re approaching an era where concealing our true selves might no longer be necessary. However, when one does choose to reveal themselves, it can feel incredibly vulnerable. Yet, there’s also a profound sense of liberation and joy in expressing ourselves authentically, as if we’re saying, “This is the essence of who I am.

Not only are you enjoying wonderful conversations with your dear ones, but it’s truly heartwarming. Many people I know have confided that this wasn’t always a breeze, and that carries its own weight of emotion. Yet everyone has been nothing short of incredible, providing unwavering support.

I left viewers spellbound by my daring portrayal of Martha, the enigmatic figure, in the Netflix series Baby Reindeer, a role that was inspired by Richard’s own life events.

The show illustrates how Martha becomes increasingly fixated on Donny, as demonstrated by her frequent daily emails to him, repeatedly visiting his home, and disturbing his loved ones.

The program garnered immense popularity, ranking among Netflix’s top-watched series and earning an astounding four Emmy awards in the past month, with Jessica winning Outstanding Supporting Actress and Richard receiving honors for both Outstanding Writing and Lead Actor.

On Wednesday evening at the Time event, I presented myself quite sharply, donning a sleek black double-breasted blazer paired with a smart collar shirt.

At the Time 100 Next event, individuals who were included in the magazine’s 2024 edition were honored, including pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter, popular Bridgerton actress Nicola Coughlan, and up-and-coming star Kaia Gerber, who started out as a model.

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2024-10-10 13:09

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