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‘Stranger Things’ star hopes her coming out will help young people

The 21-year-old actress wants to encourage young LGBT people.

By Fabio Crispim

Stranger Things and Riverdale actress Shannon Purser has said she hopes her coming out will help other young people.

The 21-year-old star came out as bisexual on Twitter last year. Responding to a user who claimed Riverdale was “queerbaiting”, Purser said: “I don’t normally do this, but I figure now is just as good a time as any to get personal.” 

She added: “I’ve only just come out as bisexual to my family and friends. It’s something I am still processing and trying to understand and I don’t like talking about it too much.” 

Now, in an interview with People, Purser has revealed how she wants to help other people come out.

She said: “I would love for us to get to a point in society where it doesn’t really matter what your sexuality is, but right now there is a lot of turmoil around that issue, a lot of controversies where there shouldn’t be.” 

Purser then said that she wants to encourage young people and “be somebody they can look up to”. 

She said: “I just always think about what would I have needed as a kid, what would have meant a lot to me? If somebody can see me and feel less alone and more understood, than that’s it.” 

Speaking about receiving fan messages about coming out, Purser added: “That’s what matters most to me. That’s the best compliment I’ve ever received.”