How X-Files Star Gillian Anderson Came Out Of The Closet

By Henry Hards | Updated

gillian anderson

If this story had come out in the 90s, back when Gillian Anderson was the number one nerd obsession, AOL would probably have drowned in 56k dial-up modem-powered nerd-drool.

Now, it’s more than old hat, a cultural norm, and at worst, maybe an inspiration for sci-fi geeks who might still struggle with their own sexuality. That’s because Scully from The X-Files? She’s into girls.

Or at least the woman who played her is. In a 2012 interview with Out Gillian Anderson revealed that, though she’s been married and mostly dates men, she’s had several relationships with women throughout her life, starting as early as High School.

Gillian Anderson explained as much in the interview. Check out what she had to say on the subject.

If I had thought I was 100% gay, would it have been a different experience for me? Would it have been a bigger deal if shame had been attached to it and all those things that become huge life-altering issues for youngsters in that situation? It’s possible that my attitude around it came, on some level, from knowing that I still liked boys.

It’s nice to know we finally live in a world where she feels free to discuss this sort of thing. And it’s weird to think that back when she was at her peak filming the X-Files, admitting something like this might have ruined Gillian Anderson’s career.

But times have changed, and sexuality has become less and less of a taboo subject over the years. Sure, when Gillian Anderson first gave the insight, it might have seemed like a somewhat groundshifting moment in her career. But these days? Not so much.

The revelation and admission (such as it were) from Gillian Anderson came a year after she ended a long-term relationship with partner Mark Griffiths. The two had been together from 2006 until 2012 and have two children together. Gillian Anderson has a third child from first husband Clyde Klotz.

While Gillian Anderson would seem to admit that she’s had some fluidity during her life when it comes to her sexuality, there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of barrier where this is concerned. She appears open and honest about her feelings regarding both sexes, something that’s more and more common in the general population as years pass.

Regardless, had this news come out during her X-Files days, it would have been massive (massive) news. No doubt about it.