Jesse Tyler Ferguson Reveals Dad's Response to Gay Roles on Modern Family

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, known for his role as Mitchell Pritchett on Modern Family, revealed that his father once questioned why he played so many gay roles, which led to a meaningful conversation and strengthened their relationship. Ferguson explained to his dad that portraying a gay man on television was important for social progress and the marriage equality movement. While his family had accepted his sexuality, his father's struggle was more about seeing him openly gay on a major network. Ferguson noted this was part of a gradual acceptance process and appreciated how his role helped normalize same-sex relationships for viewers. He also shared the challenges of balancing personal openness with his family's privacy while advocating for LGBTQ+ representation. Overall, Ferguson views his work as both an artistic choice and a form of advocacy that contributed to shifting cultural attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals.