Fashion Icon Tim Gunn: ‘I Haven’t Had Sex in 29 Years‘ and ’I’m a Perfectly Happy, Fulfilled Individual’
- Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:36pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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Fashion icon Tim Gunn — best known as a mentor to designers on the reality program “Project Runway” and as host of “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style” — candidly revealed to guests on ABC’s “The Revolution” that he has been celibate for nearly three decades.
“I haven’t had sex in 29 years,” the designer confessed. ”Do I feel like less of a person for it? No. Not even remotely.”
Gunn, who served as associate dean of Parsons The New School for Design for over a decade, revealed this delicate aspect of his life in what he described as a spirit of honesty and solidarity with others who may be experiencing similar life-circumstances.
“I’m a perfectly happy, fulfilled individual,” he added. “And I have feelings. It‘s not as though I’m some barren forest.”
Gunn explained that the reason for his longtime celibacy stems from having been deeply wounded by a past relationship. Wrought with emotion, Gunn said, “It’s very personal.”
“I was in a very intense relationship for a long time. And my partner ended it, saying that, quite frankly, he was impatient with my sexual performance.”
Gunn, revered by many for exuding both class and dignity in his various endeavors, added that his troubled relationship occurred during a time when the AIDS epidemic was just beginning and that he was concerned for his health.
“I’m happy to be healthy and alive, quite frankly,” he said to a resounding round of applause. He added that there is no “mandate” stating he will remain chaste for the rest of his life and is open to a relationship, but that regardless of the outcome, feels complete as a person.
In a world — and for Gunn especially, an industry – hyper-focused on sex and sexualization, many will find his choice and integrity commendable.
The very personal interview follows below:
(h/t: Yahoo)
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Comments (95)
sandy21957
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:51pmI’ve always thought he rocked. Just love him and all he does. I truly understand where he’s coming from, broken hearts sometimes never heal.
Report Post »OhPatsy
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:43pmWell obviously he was deeply pained by a relationship that failed. Why can’t people just take this story for what it is…someone telling something deeply personal about themselves. I bet a lot of you would love to hear all about Madonna’s “sexcapades” or lack of them, but find it fodder for your “in the gutter” thoughts because Tim is a homosexual…..Frankly, I appreciate the fact that he is saying you don’t have to sleep with everyone you meet to have a happy, fulfilling life. Isn’t that a good thing? I hate it when people belittle others, to make themselves feel good. Pathetic, and says more about you then it does about them. I am a Conservative person, but I want everyone to be happy and healthy, not just those I pick and choose.
Report Post »Patriot Z
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:49pmoh i think you are taking this waaayyy to seriously. i dont think anyone here really wishes any bad on the man.. in fact i wish him the best. but you or he cant wear your heart on your sleeve and expect to survive.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:35amI think he has shown that homosexual men do not have to be the sluts most are. He made a decision that life itself was more important and he has lived a full one. If he can be that way, it gives lie to the can’t help myself group. He proves the point that acting on our sexual desires can be controled. Too bad teenagers and others don’t realize what a good example he is.
Report Post »Mizurax
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:05amWhy? I’ll tell you why. Because it’s not the whole story. How much porn does he watch? How much sex does he have with his own hand? I’d put my money on the answer being, “Plenty.”
If he’s not addicted to porn, then I too would commend him. But please….
Report Post »OhPatsy
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 11:28amMIZURAX-Wow-Do you always make these sort of assumptions about people? Not fair and may not even be true. You seem very passionate about “porn”–if I were one to make assumptions, I might think you know a little something about that yourself??? Hmmm…It’s called “projecting” I believe.
Report Post »dinadp
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:36pmI’m speechless. What is with “celebrities” and their need to share TMI? And, because I’ve been rendered speechless, I’m going to toss in an OMG! and a WTF? too. Seriously??
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:45pmThis story should be title “ How to save money ”
Report Post »OklahomaBound
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:36pmLOL, so funny and so true Sirfoldallot!
Report Post »BONETRAUMA
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:22pmherpies (sp) WTF
Report Post »1947
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:12pmSo WHAT …….
Report Post »sooner12
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:26pmAND eew
Report Post »TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:11pmWhy is this a story? Strange.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:11pmI‘m certain he’s a Handy Man full of love all for himself. May he continue in his efforts and never reproduce.
Report Post »broker0101
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:08pmSee there 24/7 Blazers? There’s still hope that some of you could become Happy, Fulfilled Individuals!
Report Post »Mimi24
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:20pmI see your comments on this forum quite frequently. What does that make you, a 23/6?
Report Post »Gary S
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:07pmAsk me if I give a ****?
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:06pmEvery honest TEA party member can relate to this sentiment. Sexual activity is not on our agenda. I mean for literally years and years.
Watch how Tim gets lots of praise on the Blaze. Just Sayin!
TEA
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 8:48amYou should hook up with Gunn. I think you two would be very happy together…and you might dress better.
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:05pmI know exactly how he feels. My girlfriend is in England, and I haven’t had sex for almost a week. At least not with her.
Report Post »Mimi24
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:21pmAll by yourself doesn’t count.
Report Post »jzs
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:04pmSometimes it seems like I haven’t had sex in 29 years too. I feel your pain brother although I can’t truly empathize with the “performance” issue (with some of us, it’s a gift, in my case a remarkable gift). But still. There are drugs for all that stuff. I think you have serious relationship issues and are in denial, if I can channel Dr. Phil. You had bad relationship 29 years ago and you haven’t gotten over it yet? Newt Gingrich has had at least two bad relationships (not including his relationship with the House) in the last 29 years and he’s running for President of the United States. Get some some therapy and get over it for goodness sake.
Report Post »Sirfoldallot
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:59pmTim Gunn = A-sexual
Report Post »godhatesacoward
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:12pmBest check his shaved palms!
Report Post »CulperGang
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:55pmI hate these wasted space stories BUT, Tim Gunn is one of the NICEST HUMANS WALKING THE FACE OF THE PLANET. He is just positive in everything he says and he does. He is the type of person everyone wants to be friends with. God Bless him.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:53pmWow, he’s got me beat?
I like Tim Gunn on Project Runway, especially when he says “Make it work”.
Report Post »InversionTheory
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:53pmGeez. I can feel the animal passions clawing at the back of my eyes after only a few days without sex. I know we all have our acceptable norm and I must have a higher sex drive than “normal”. If 29 years without is fine with him, I’m willing to celebrate that he can go without, but I’ll never see things his way.
Report Post »godhatesacoward
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:51pmReally? Is sodomy considered sex?
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:55pmTo God yes.
Report Post »laika
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:18pmkeep throwing those stones
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:50pmDebated with myself on how to post on this….ahemmm,,,
I’ve still got the looks. Still got the propositions, but it’s been a no-go for over 3yrs.
Just don’t want too.
My youngest STILL asks about my last boyfriend. They DID click-heck, so did I. But, he wanted marriage and I’d been down that road before. So, it’s been a dry season since then. But, actually the time has flown by. No having to worry about some disease. No having to confess a sin. No having to hold a fart in. lol My remote is MY remote.
Report Post »Truth is, until my youngest is graduated, I just won’t even think about it. Don’t know the guy in the story, but I understand him.
InversionTheory
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:00pmMore power to you, Kangaroojack! Sometimes I wish I could go without as you do. But I can feel it. It’s like an animal, behind my eyes… Clawing at them. I feel so much more satisfied when I keep that voice at the….ahem….slow boil stage. I can feel the drive influencing everything that I do. I guess I’m fairly unique in embracing that voice. To each his own is my philosophy. May our differences endure forever!
Report Post »KangarooJack
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:15pm{wry smile} Lord help the man (let’s capitalize that word shall we?) MAN that breaks this dam. He’ll need skin grafts! Alrighty then, off to some other thread….
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:47pmIm not quite sure how to comment on this one.
Report Post »flyoverbob
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:53pmIs this really necessary,doesn’t Dr Phil have a blog?
Report Post »kblink45
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:47pmSo he’s married?
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:56pmNo, he isn’t married.
Report Post »flyoverbob
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:02pmCOFemale
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:56pm
No, he isn’t married.
Ah,I think that was a joke
Report Post »ThePostman
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:09pmcofemale. really? you didn’t get that? it was funny as hell!
Report Post »broper
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 8:55amKBLINK45 – Your post is the only one that made me laugh out loud ! Thanks !
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:47pmLOL….methinks, he might not be having sex, because he subscribes to the Bill Clinton definition of what that actually is….
Report Post »Sicboy
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:45pmOh please. Another human interest story? Get real. Report on something interesting like “weird sounds” in Canada. Or Condoms for porn people in LA. Well actually, now one cares about either. Get to real story’s like Gold about to sky rocket or the Lords return. Be real Blaze, not just another wannabe reporting site.
Report Post »Joey8
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:55pmIt’s listed under entertainment you dingus. Don’t read the entertainment stories if they turn you into a whiny turd-burgler. Whose forcing you to click on these links and comment on them?
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:59pmYou don’t like the story, you can always leave. We are not holding a gun to your head and making you read.
And I guess your avatar name is appropriately describes you.
Report Post »disenlightened
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:45pmSometimes doing nothing is better than doing something. Keep it up, dude.
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:56amKeep it up, he says.
Report Post »UBETHECHANGE
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:44pmT…M…I Tim!
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:44pmBut didn’t we all get screwed by Obama. He had sex, he just doesn’t know it. And is he defining sex in Clintons guidelines?
Report Post »Welcome Black Carter
Posted on January 26, 2012 at 8:06amWhen a gay is celibate, that is something I can get behind…
Report Post »