Queer Eye’s Tan France on how his family accepted his sexuality | Instagram
Tan France has revealed appearing on Queer Eye has drastically changed his relationship with his mother.
The Brit born of Pakistani-Muslim parents has said his mother thought the Netflix was show was about converting straight men gay.
Speaking on Jonathan Van Ness’ Getting Curious podcast, the fashion expert opened up about his relationship with his family.
France said, as a child, he went to mosque every day from the age of four to 15.
Queer Eye: Tan reveals family struggle to accept his sexuality
At 13, his father passed away.
‘He was a lot more cultural and I was a lot more westernized,’ he said. ‘When I came out I did feel somewhat relieved because I don’t think I’d have the life I would have now.’
He added: ‘I wouldn’t have contact with my family, I would have been disowned. I’m almost positive of that.’
Up until December last year, France said he never talked about his 10-year marriage and relationship with his family.
When he informed them he was getting married, they didn’t want to know his partner’s name. They didn’t go to the wedding.
France revealed: ‘Only when the show was about to come out, I told my family, “you’re going to see what my life is”.
‘”I’m not going to stop doing this, this is the life that I’ve chosen, and you either accept this or I’m not a part of your lives”.’
Tan’s mother ‘thought [Queer Eye] was a gay conversion program’.
Queer Eye is back | Photo: Netflix press shot
The fashion expert said his mother and siblings didn’t want to watch Queer Eye ‘because they thought it was a gay conversion program’.
‘They thought I was going around the country and encouraging people to be homosexual,’ he said.
‘But when they finally watched the show, they said “Oh my gosh it’s so much better than we ever expected. You made us so proud. You’re just who you are”.
‘I think their worry was that I was going to be someone else or different in my personal life.
‘Our relationship has changed so much’
He added: ‘They saw me doing what I do, but also as the exact same person they’ve known their entire lives.
‘Our relationship has changed so much.
‘Every time we Skype now, they ask about [husband] Robin. For 10 years, they’ve literally never said his name. It’s a very strange process.’
Queer Eye season 2 is on Netflix now.
Queer Eye star on why he’s happier as a gay Muslim in US than UK
