Coming out wasn't an issue for "Game of Thrones" actor Kristian Nairn, who recently revealed that he is gay. Up until now, though, no one had ever asked him about it.
Us Weekly reported that Nairn, who plays Bran Stark's 6' 10" protector, Hodor, revealed his sexuality Tuesday in an interview with the website WinterIsComing.net. When asked if he was aware of his character's popularity among gay fans, who consider him "a bear," Nairn called their community his community.
"Well, in all honesty, when you talk about 'the gay community,' you are talking about MY community," Nairn told WinterIsComing.net. "I am aware of it, yeah, and I think it's really lovely. There's not a day that I don't get a few messages, but 99 percent or more are super sweet and nothing smutty at all!"
The Irish actor called his status among gay fans a privilege. A "bear" in the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community is considered a large, rugged man who projects an image of masculinity.
The actor has reportedly been waiting for someone to ask him about his sexuality so he could publicly "stand up and be counted," and claimed that his sexuality was never something he kept hidden.
"I've never hidden my sexuality from anyone, my whole life in fact," the 38-year-old actor said. "I've been waiting for someone to ask about it in an interview, [because] it's not something you just blurt out. I've tried to lead the questions a few times, to no avail!"
The DJ and actor said he understands why it has taken so long for someone to ask about his sexuality and that his costars have been nothing but supportive.
"It's a very small part of who I am on the whole, but nonetheless, in this day and age, it's important to stand up and be counted. I have and always will stand my ground," he said. "So, yeah, people have been great, on the show, but I don't see why it would be an issue."
Season four of "Game of Thrones" returns April 6 on HBO.
