Singer-songwriter David Archuleta is opening up about his sexuality and says he is a member of the LBGTQIA+ community.
The 30-year-old American Idol alum made the announcement on his Instagram page on Saturday, saying that just because he’s part of the LGBTQIA+ community shouldn’t mean he can’t be a person of faith.
“I like to keep to myself but also thought this was important to share because I know so many other people from religious upbringings feel the same way,” he said. “I’ve been open to myself and my close family for some years now that I am not sure about my own sexuality.”
Archuleta said he came out as gay to his family in 2014 but now he is not sure how he identifies today.
“I came out in 2014 as gay to my family. But then I had similar feelings for both genders so maybe a spectrum of bisexual,” he wrote. “Then I also have learned I don’t have too much sexual desires and urges as most people, which works I guess because I have a commitment to save myself until marriage. Which people call asexual when they don’t experience sexual urges.”
Archuleta said he found it uncomfortable to share this personal part of his life but made it a point to mention people shouldn’t have to choose between being LGBTQIA+ and believing in God.
“I just invite you to please consider making room to be more understanding and compassionate to those who are LGBTQIA+, and those who are a part of that community and trying to find that balance with their faith which also is a huge part of their identity like myself,” he wrote. “For me to find peace the reality has been to accept both are real things I experience and make who I am.”
Archuleta was a fan favorite on the seventh season of “American Idol”, finishing second place behind winner David Cook in 2008. Later that year, he went on to release his first self-titled album, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200.
