Tim Gunn Reflects On His Difficult Childhood, Growing Up In A Homophobic World

As part of the It Gets Better project, Tim Gunn shared his story on growing up during a time when being homosexual was frowned upon — in fact, it was considered a disease.

Gunn grew up in Washington D.C., which was a very conservative place in the 1950s and 60s.

“I knew from a very young age that I was the odd kid out,” Gunn shared. “I came home frequently beaten up.”

He felt insecure and hated the world. It also didn’t help that he had a homophobic father.

“I reached a point in my teens where I was tired. Tired of feeling so out of place in the world — all of the anxiety and emotional pain. I didn’t want to go on like that,” Gunn expressed.

So he collected every pill he could get his hands on in the house and his parents found him unconscious the next day. He was hospitalized for over two years. There he met his rock and mentor, Dr. Goldblatt. “I owe my life to him, I truly do.”

He then went on to a school where he was surrounded by gay people. “Suddenly I was flying.”

He went back to pay Dr. Goldblatt a visit and to show him that he finally became the person he was meant to be. Of course, the doctor welcomed him with open arms.

“I wanted him to know how high I had descended.”