Coming out as gay changed my life: Colton Haynes

Los Angeles, Jun 13 (PTI) Actor Colton Haynes has said coming out as gay changed his life for the better as he no longer has to hide who he is.

The 28-year-old actor made the confession during an interview in May 2016, and has said that whilst it took him a while to be comfortable enough to speak about his sexuality, he is now "proud" of it, reported Entertainment Tonight.

"I can honestly say that it takes time to be comfortable enough to come out...It has to be on your own time but when I did...it changed my life for the better!

"It opened up so many doors for me and I don't have to feel like the elephant in the room anymore. There is so much support I never knew was available for me and I am so proud to say that I am gay and it has not done anything to hurt what I love to do in life. Times are thankfully changing. " Haynes said.

The actor, however, said it was not a smooth ride for him as he went through an "intense struggle" and even suffered a "breakdown" before he could come to terms with his sexuality.

"It was an intense struggle for years. All the self shame lead me to have a breakdown and I had to quite for a while.

Once I came out it all went away.

"I got multiple offers for work and honestly haven't felt better. It changes your life and if someone isn't going to hire me for being born the way that I am...they don't deserve my time or energy," he added.