Country Music Star Chris Housman Opens Up About Forced Coming Out and Past Trauma
3 min read
Erika Goldring/Getty Images
Chris Housman, the rising country music star known for his heartfelt songs and LGBTQ+ advocacy, recently shared the deeply personal story of his forced coming out and the childhood trauma he endured. In a candid conversation on the Rooted Recovery Stories podcast with host Patrick Custer, Housman revealed how secret emails led to his unplanned coming out and how he has since embraced his identity.
At 34, Chris Housman is making waves on TikTok with performances that celebrate his LGBTQ+ identity. However, his journey to self-acceptance has been fraught with challenges. Growing up in a conservative Kansas town, Housman came out at 18, making him the first openly gay person he knew in real life. He described his coming out as not entirely on his terms, sparked by a series of events involving secret emails he had sent to someone from a neighboring town.
@chrishousmanmusic ‘Blueneck’ the album is out May 31st! 😭💙 Only took my whole life so far lol nbd. #blueneck #chrishousman #countrymusic #queercountry #lgbtq #country #leftist #yallmeansall ♬ original sound – Chris Housman
After Housman’s family sold their computer with some of these emails still saved on it, the messages were discovered and spread rapidly in his small community. “It’s the smallest town thing ever,” Housman said. The exposure of these private messages forced Housman to confront his parents before they could hear rumors from others. “I wanted my parents to hear it from me and not from a rumor,” he explained. “So I sat them down and came out.”
The reaction from Housman’s parents was initially less than supportive. They didn’t know how to process the information and, as Housman noted, it was likely the first time they had encountered someone openly gay. His mother dismissed his revelation, suggesting he was just going through a phase. “She told me, ‘Boys just go through a phase… it’s fine, we’ll figure this out—just don’t tell anybody,’” Housman recalled. Despite the discomfort within his family, he was determined to change their perspective over time.
Chris Housman also opened up about a darker chapter of his life—years of sexual abuse by an older man he considered a friend. The abuse started when Housman was just eight years old and continued until he was 14. “I idolized him,” Housman said, explaining how the man, about 12 years his senior, was trusted by everyone, including his parents. “The next thing I know, I’m being molested.”
The trauma from this abuse, however, was not the cause of his sexuality, Housman emphasized. He addressed misconceptions held by some family members who discovered the abuse later and mistakenly linked it to his being gay. “That’s just so not it,” he asserted.
Housman eventually confronted his abuser, who is now married with children and works with kids. When he called the abuser’s landline, his wife answered, and Housman told her what had happened. The abuser denied the allegations and attempted to bribe Housman to keep silent. Despite considering reporting the abuse, Housman ultimately chose not to.
Housman first gained fame with his song “Blueneck,” a progressive anthem for Southern inclusivity with lyrics like “George Strait or George Gay, there’s no difference.” His latest music video for “Guilty as Sin” reflects on the loss of his partner, Abe Stoklasa, who passed away at 38. While they were not dating at the time of Stoklasa’s death, the song and Housman’s latest album, also titled “Blueneck,” celebrate their relationship and aim to create a safe space for other liberal rednecks.
Through years of therapy, Housman has found peace and self-acceptance. He encourages others struggling with their identity to seek help and reminds them that they are not alone. “No matter how alone you feel, you’re not totally alone,” he said. “Your experience is unique to you, but we’re not alone.”
Chris Housman’s journey from a conservative upbringing to becoming a proud voice for the LGBTQ+ community is a testament to resilience and the importance of living one’s truth, even in the face of adversity.
Shivam Kumar
Hi, I'm Shivam Kumar. I'm pursuing Journalism honors from the IP University. I love the skill of writing and looking forward to learn more of it. Also I love traveling and experiencing new things every day....
