The son of premier-designate Kathleen Wynne didn’t find coming out as a gay man as easy as some might think it would be.
“Regardless of whether your parents are supportive or not, it can still be challenging,” says Chris Cowperthwaite, who came out to his family when he was 21 years old.
Cowperthwaite says he still had to overcome stigma and peer pressures, even though his mother, Kathleen Wynne, came out as a lesbian when he was in Grade 5.
Cowperthwaite had the support of his mother, her wife and his father, who lived in the basement of the family home after he and Wynne divorced.
After he came out, Cowperthwaite got involved in sports and
the Ten Oaks Project, a sleep-away camp for children in the queer community.
He also worked closely with
Wynne’s campaign team on her provincial Liberal leadership bid. He provided digital support and got a special thank-you from his mom in her acceptance speech.
Below is
Xtra's video interview with Cowperthwaite.