Mara Wilson – aka Matilda – has opened up about her sexuality

The child star says she has ‘embraced the bi/queer label’

Mara Wilson

by Francesca Battson |
Published on

Following the tragic shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando on Sunday, Mara Wilson has taken to Twitter to open up about her sexuality.

49 people were killed at Pulse nightclub in the Florida city, marking the deadliest mass shooting in modern US history.

Known for her role as the titular character in Matilda, Mara shared a picture of herself in a gay club from 10 years ago.

The 28 year old then continued to tweet, sharing with her fans her experience at a gay club – which led to her opening up about her sexuality.

“Being a "straight girl" where I clearly didn't belong, but I will say, I felt so welcomed there,” she began.

“I have never had a better experience at a club than I did then. Great music and people. And one of my friends met his partner that night!

“I haven't been to one since college, except once when a friend brought me along. I didn't feel like I belonged there.

“But the LGBTQ community has always felt like home, especially a few years later when I, uh, learned something about myself.

“So thank you.

“If you are in Orlando, give blood. If you are not, consider donating to @CallenLorde”

Fans then started to ask Mara what she meant by her tweets, including one which said: “does this mean you are bisexual, nonbinary..? It’s nice to have people who we can look up to that have a known name”

Mara replied: “Let me put it this way: I’m a 2.”

Referring to the Kinsey scale (the heterosexual-homosexual rating scale) - which Mara said she uses because she’s “a pragmatic at heart and finds comfort in numbers” – this means that she identifies as ‘Predominantly heterosexual, but more than incidentally homosexual’.

After receiving many messages of support from fans, the Mrs Doubtfire star said: "Your support is much appreciated. I will say, though, I'm still gonna be pretty private about my relationships, as I always have been."

However, one fan took to Twitter to slam Mara for her honesty and open tweets, saying: "On the one hand, I love @MaraWritesStuff for being open about her sexuality. In the other hand, I wish she wouldn't describe as.....'mostly straight' There is a word for that: bisexual. Using other words perpetuates myths & increase # biphobia."

But Mara’s response was perfect.

Does it really matter how we describe our sexuality? Does it even matter what our sexual preferences are?

No, it doesn’t.

Good on you, Mara.

READ MORE:

The Matilda cast: Where are they now?

Mum shares heartbreaking final texts from son killed in Orlando shooting

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