Schitt's Creek creator and star Eugene Levy has shared a reflection on the moment his son, Dan Levy, came out as gay. This touching revelation appeared in the latest episode of Eugene’s Apple TV+ travel show, The Reluctant Traveller with Eugene Levy, during which he and guide Will Edmond exchanged heartfelt stories about the challenges and growth experienced by parents and their LGBTQ+ children.
Eugene Levy, whose Schitt’s Creek has been celebrated for its positive and nuanced queer representation, revealed that while he and his wife were aware of Dan’s sexuality, they waited patiently for him to feel comfortable enough to share it himself. 'Daniel was 19 when he came out. We were aware that he was gay,' Levy explained, 'but we were just waiting for the right time for him to feel comfortable enough to tell us.' He characterised the moment simply and supportively: 'It was a huge thing for him, and it was fine. It was just like, ‘Okay, there you go. Good.’'
The episode’s shared stories expanded beyond their family experience. Will Edmond recounted his own coming-out journey to his deeply religious southern father. Initially, Edmond’s father showed an emotional distance, creating an uncomfortable pause for a few weeks. However, with the intervention of Edmond’s mother — who reminded her husband that their love for their only son should be unconditional — the atmosphere shifted dramatically, bringing relief and renewed acceptance. This candid exchange underscored a universal message about the transformative power of empathy, patience, and love in family dynamics.
Eugene Levy’s reflections and this broader dialogue come amid ongoing discussions about authentic queer representation and visibility in media. Dan Levy’s role in co-creating Schitt’s Creek has been widely praised for its casual, yet profound handling of gay themes. The show’s storyline, including the coming-out arc of Dan’s character David’s partner Patrick, aimed to normalise queer experiences by weaving them into narratives without sensationalism or stereotyping. Dan Levy previously explained that their intent was to depict love and relationships authentically, allowing characters’ sexuality to be a matter-of-fact aspect rather than a dramatic focal point, which resonated strongly with audiences.
The positive impact of Schitt’s Creek extends beyond television. Dan Levy has publicly responded with emotion and gratitude to viewers who credit the show with encouraging their own journeys of self-acceptance and coming out. One particularly touching incident involved a fan from Scotland who shared a video about how the show influenced her decision to come out to her mother, an example of the powerful ripple effects media representation can have in real lives.
Source: Noah Wire Services