After coming out two years ago, Jessica Gunning was honored with the Culture Award at the Attitude Awards 2024 at The Roundhouse in Camden on Wednesday.
While across the pond, her Baby Reindeer co-star Richard Cott attended the 2024 Time100 Next Gala at Chelsea Piers in New York.
Jessica, 38, added a pop of color with a neon orange bag in a black tuxedo-style jumpsuit with satin lapels and a matching belt.
The Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards celebrate the best and the best of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, with several awards presented.
The actress was presented with her prize by comedian and writer Jack Rook, who was delighted by the honor.
After coming out two years ago, Jessica Gunning was honored with The Culture Award, Attitude Awards 2024 at The Roundhouse in Camden on Wednesday.
While across the pond, her Baby Reindeer co-star Richard Cott attended the 2024 Time100 Next Gala at Chelsea Piers in New York.
Jessica, 38, looked glamorous in a black tuxedo-style jumpsuit with satin lapels and a matching belt, adding a pop of color with a neon orange bag.
The Emmy-winning star came out nearly two years ago in November 2022, after finally realizing he was a 'big old gay man'.
She admits that it took her years to realize that she didn't think she could be gay, despite many signs like kissing 'staring her in the face'. Cate Blanchett on stage every night when we've tortured each other enough.
Jessica explained how it was a secret she had kept from her for years, and said it was 'liberating' and 'special' to finally come out.
Opening up about coming out for the first time on the Reign podcast in June, she recalled: 'I came out in November 2022. And that was a mega, mega thing for me because for so long I…
I'm surrounded by gay people, like all my friends are gay, so it's not that I'm holding anything back, I just don't think I can be.
'I still can't express it better. But then I realized I was a big, old gay man. I was like, “That's it, that's it.” It was like a big moment where everything clicked and I realized myself.
She continued: 'Because for a long time I thought, “I know I'm a big girl”, and I thought maybe because of my size, I almost felt like an alien or like I was being tagged. .
'But once I realized it, I was like, “No, that's it,” and it was like a very liberating thing.'
The Emmy-winning star came out nearly two years ago in November 2022, after finally realizing he was a 'big old gay man'.
Jessica explains how it's been a secret she's kept from herself for years, and finally coming out is 'liberating' and 'special' (pictured in April)
She joked: 'Again, looking at the 's**t' that goes with Take That, who fits in this movie?' Should know again. When I was a teenager, I wore the familiar, bum-back, backwards 'No Fear' hat.
“And then everyone around me was like, 'When's she coming out?' And it took me 36 years.'
In 2014, Jessica starred in the historical comedy-drama Pride, following the gay community's historic actions to rid the country of sex-related stigma.
Reflecting on the project, she said: 'I wish I knew when I did Pride because I always cry. I found it very emotional and I should have known then.
Then I did a play with Cate Blanchett where I kissed her on stage every night. Again, I should have known then. All these signs from the reindeer staring me in the face.
Describing what his life has been like since coming out as gay, he says, 'It's been amazing, very freeing and very grounding. I actually feel very calm.
'Naively I always thought it was a sexual thing. It's not like, you're going, “This is me.” And it's really emotional.
'Some of my straight friends have actually said they envy people coming out because it's like celebrating who you are.
Jessica captivated fans with her controversial role as Martha the Stalker in Baby Reindeer, a Netflix series based on Richard's real-life experience.
The show was a huge hit, becoming one of Netflix's most-watched shows and last month it won four Emmys, including best supporting actress for Jessica and best writing and lead actor for Richard.
The actor, 35, sported a black double-breasted blazer and collared shirt at the evening event on Wednesday.
'I think we're getting to a time where we don't always have to come out, but when you do it's so exposed, but it's so beautiful because you go, “This is my soul a little bit”, you go, “This is me”.
'You get all the wonderful chats with your loved ones. It's really special. Many of my friends shared that sometimes it's not that easy and it's also emotional. Everyone was amazing, so supportive.
Jessica captivated fans with her controversial role as Martha the Stalker in Baby Reindeer, a Netflix series based on Richard's real-life experience.
The series shows Martha's obsession with Richard's character, Tony, as she emails him hundreds of times a day, comes out of his house, and harasses his family and friends.
The show was a huge hit, becoming one of Netflix's most-watched shows and last month it won four Emmys, including best supporting actress for Jessica and best writing and lead actor for Richard.
The actor, 35, sported a black double-breasted blazer and collared shirt at the evening event on Wednesday.
The Time 100 Next Gala celebrated inductees to the publication's 2024 list, including pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter, Bridgerton favorite Nicola Coughlan and model-turned-actress Kaia Gerber.
