Joshua rush is gay

Disney Channel star Joshua Rush has come out as bisexual.

The actor tweeted on Tuesday that despite playing a gay character, Cyrus, on "Andi Mack," it was difficult for him to be public about his sexuality.

He added that he suffered from "internalized homophobia" that led to an "existential crisis," but now, "I release it into the world."

"Being bi isn't all of my identity, nor is it the most important part of my identity," Rush tweeted.

We're grateful to Joshua Rush for showing his fans that he supports them, and that they are perfect and beautiful the way they are."

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One of the stars of Disney series Andi Mack, which ended last month, has revealed to followers that he is bisexual.

17-year old Joshua Rush was known for playing the role of Cyrus Goodman on the show, a character who was lauded for being the first gay main character in a Disney Channel series.

In a number of heartfelt tweets, Rush this week explained that playing the role had given him the courage to explore and come to terms with his own sexuality.

“I saw so many of you watch Cyrus come out and said ‘Hey!

That process is unique and different for everyone, and is sometimes met by rejection and even violence. That was well before I had any clue of my own identity and orientation. FIFTH GRADE!" He tweeted. Visit the Trevor Project's "Coming Out As You" resource page for more.

"Andi Mack" airs Friday nights at 8/7c on the Disney Channel.

Disney is the parent company of ABC News and "Good Morning America."

Disney Channel star Joshua Rush, whose "Andi Mack" character, Cyrus, came out as gay on the show in February, is now opening up about his own sexuality.

The 17-year-old took to Twitter to reveal he's bisexual.

"first to respond to this tweet is bi lol," he wrote Tuesday, before replying, "first!

I suffered with some level of my own internalized homophobia even while playing the first openly gay character on Disney Channel."

Rush added what makes him most proud are his LGBTQ fans who've been moved by his character's story line.

"Instead of feeling the courage to tell you today that I am an out and proud bisexual man because of the character I played for four years, I feel that courage thinking of all of you, who felt emboldened by Cyrus to come out.

Rush capped off his post by asking fans to donate to GLAAD and The Trevor Project, a nonprofit for LGBTQ suicide prevention.

"Thank you to you for giving me the courage to know who I am and tell you this today," he wrote.

"How ironic, isn't it, that me, playing that character, never had mustered up that courage?"

Even though his character was openly gay, Rush confessed he experienced self-loathing toward his own sexuality.

"I had a close friend of mine come out to me in fifth grade," he wrote.

I can be me!'" he wrote. The positive response from fans was inspirational, he said.

"Instead of feeling the courage to tell you today that I am an out and proud bisexual man because of the character I played for four years, I feel that courage thinking of all of you, who felt emboldened by Cyrus to come out," he wrote.

In his Twitter thread, Rush also encouraged his 69,800 followers to donate to GLAAD and The Trevor Project, two organizations dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ community.

"Joshua Rush pioneered a role that positively impacted the lives of LGBTQ young people and their families, and it's so encouraging to know that the response from viewers and fans gave him the courage and the confidence to live his own life authentically," said Zeke Stokes, GLAAD chief programs officer, in a statement.

Today, I release it into the world."

Rush then encouraged followers to donate to US LGBTIQ+ organisation The Trevor Project, while also sharing a page of information about bisexuality from the GLAAD website.

"I'm gay."

Joshua Rush, who plays the role of Cyrus in the hit Disney Channel series, "Andi Mack," just became the first Disney Channel character to ever say those two words.

His performance as Cyrus also marks the first portrayal of an openly gay character on Disney Channel.

“Taking on the role of Cyrus has been one of the most fun things I've ever done in my life," Rush told "GMA." "Being Jewish, being 14, going to middle school, having this small, close-knit group of friends, and being gay are all just parts of his personality," he affirmed.

The reaction to his character coming out?

"Overwhelmingly positive," he said, adding that "over the last few days I've really gotten to see the myriad of ways that both this new coming-out scene for Cyrus, and this Jewish representation of his family, has affected the fans."

In the moving scene that aired last week, Cyrus is joined by his friends at his grandmother's shiva, the first week of mourning observed by those of the Jewish faith for someone who has passed away.

"Sharing his truth will no doubt inspire countless others."

Added Amit Paley, CEO and executive director of The Trevor Project: "It can mean so much to young LGBTQ people to see their sexual orientation and gender identity portrayed in media and Hollywood, especially if they aren't able to safely express themselves.

i win! and Senior Crisis Services Manager for The Trevor Project, "the best way to support your friend would be to celebrate them for making choices that feel healthy for them, including if that is choosing not to come out."

The Trevor Project is a national organization providing crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ youth under 25.