Queer As Folk’s Johnny Sibilly on chemsex storyline: ‘There’s a grey area of this use’
EXCLUSIVE: "Last year, in LA, I came home from a bar and was on Grindr at 3am - maybe 80% of the people I spoke to were like: ‘Hey, do you party and play?’"
Words: Jamie Tabberer; pictures: By Leigh Kelly for Attitude
Queer As Folk actor Johnny Sibilly has spoken out on the importance of his character’s chemsex storyline in the upcoming show.
The reimagining of Russell T Davies’ classic 90s TV hit drops on Starzplay in the UK today [Friday 1 July].
Speaking to Attitude about his character Noah – as part of the cover feature for our July/August issue – Pose star Johnny opined that we only usually see the “far, far end of the spectrum” of the party and play scene in queer storytelling.
“There’s a grey area of this use”
“I’ve known so many Noahs throughout my years,” Johnny, 33, yells us. “Last year, in LA, I came home from a bar and was on Grindr at 3am, as one does.
“Maybe 80 per cent of the people I spoke to were like: ‘Hey, do you party and play?’ I was taken aback by how many.
“It’s important to also understand there’s a grey area of this use. We need to shine a light. We usually only see the far, far end of the spectrum. It’s an important storyline.”
Adds Johnny: “There’s always a conversation about glamourising drugs and sex together, but people don’t realise how easy it is to fall into this rabbit hole of substances.
“I felt a responsibility to tell it in a way that wasn’t pointing fingers.”
Queer as Folk premiere in the UK on streaming service Starzplay today.
The Attitude July/August issue featuring exclusive interviews the cast of Queer As Folk is out now.