![Fez_whatley_wiki_commons](https://www.advocate.com/media-library/fez-whatley-wiki-commons.jpg?id=32706539&width=1200&height=876)
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
On the one year anniversary of his father's death, well-known radio host Fez Whatley came out gay on air, according to the Huffington Post. Whatley is one half of the daily radio program, the Ron & Fez Show on SiriusXM, and he has been playing a flamboyant gay character on the air for over two decades, but, he told told Interrobang, that at some point he realized it was more than just a character.
"Working with my friend Ron Bennington, we created an on-air persona for me," explained Whatley. "His name was Fez Whatley. Fez was eccentric, over the top, flamboyant and most of all, gay. Really gay. Fez took down celebrities, talked gossip, lampooned women, and did it all with a wicked gay tongue. I could say it was the part I was born to play, but back then I didn't realize how true that was."
Whatley told Interrobang that fans of the show would often ask if he was really gay, to which he'd reply, "'Yes, 6 to 10am weekdays,' the hours our show was on. That was my little joke just to make sure everyone knew that there was a straight guy behind the feather boa and sequined jacket." But when he realized three years ago that he wasn't just playing a character, he was devastated, his realization that he was everything that he "had joked about." His depression led to treatment, stage fright, anger, and an inability to play the character on radio or public events. He came out to his co-host but didn't tell the public.
Then on February 24, Whatley came out live on the air and on Interrobang, telling his fans that there are too many issues facing the LGBT community, and too many great comedians (like Wanda Sykes, Todd Glass, and Mo Rocca) who are out, for him to remain "an angry closet case." He said, " I can't be a part of 'It's gets better' until I make sure things are going to get better for me. And that's what I intend on doing."
deliciousdiane
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
After 20 years, and after tonight, Obama will no longer be the Democrats' top star
August 20 2024 12:28 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Maryland Republican Neil Parrott is an anti-LGBTQ+ disaster
September 06 2024 1:32 PM
U.S. steps up response to more deadly mpox outbreak
September 06 2024 1:22 PM
Trailblazing women in politics: A historical perspective
September 06 2024 9:00 AM
Dannii Minogue is proud to embrace her status as a gay icon
September 05 2024 6:09 PM
JD Vance lies about Tim Walz and trans kids while courting the far right
September 05 2024 6:04 PM
The Runway of Dreams Foundation to revolutionize fashion with accessible design at NYFW
September 05 2024 5:48 PM
Sade's first new song in years will grace trans-focused album and honor her son
September 05 2024 3:37 PM
Mike Rogers is the anti-LGBTQ+ extremist running for U.S. Senate in Michigan
September 05 2024 3:32 PM
Judge partially halts Idaho’s anti-trans care law
September 05 2024 2:30 PM
Female couples are helping to keep Portland queer
September 05 2024 1:27 PM
How 'Skincare' tackles women's aging, consent, and othering a queer-coded Latino
September 04 2024 8:00 PM
Here are the 25 transgender Americans lost to violence so far this year
September 04 2024 3:35 PM
Ben Platt marries Noah Galvin in New York celebration
September 04 2024 3:15 PM
53 years ago, Jack Baker and Michael McConnell became the first same-sex couple to wed
September 04 2024 2:27 PM
Trending stories
Most Recent
Recommended Stories for You
Diane Anderson-Minshall
Diane Anderson-Minshall is the CEO of Pride Media, and editorial director of The Advocate, Out, and Plus magazine. She's the winner of numerous awards from GLAAD, the NLGJA, WPA, and was named to Folio's Top Women in Media list. She and her co-pilot of 30 years, transgender journalist Jacob Anderson-Minshall penned several books including Queerly Beloved: A Love Across Genders.
Diane Anderson-Minshall is the CEO of Pride Media, and editorial director of The Advocate, Out, and Plus magazine. She's the winner of numerous awards from GLAAD, the NLGJA, WPA, and was named to Folio's Top Women in Media list. She and her co-pilot of 30 years, transgender journalist Jacob Anderson-Minshall penned several books including Queerly Beloved: A Love Across Genders.