Edward Enninful explains why gay male models feel afraid to come out

It’s all down to ‘Hollywood’s image of the perfect man’, says the British Vogue editor-in-chief

Edward Enninful has made a huge impact on British Vogue ever since the news of his appointment as the first ever male editor-in-chief of the esteemed publication was announced in April 2017.

While it may be widely believed that we live in a very inclusive society, according to Enninful, many gay male models often feel hesitant about coming out due to the way in which they assume they’ll be perceived and judged by society if they do.

Speaking to Attitude magazine, Enninful explains that the Hollywood ideal of the “perfect man” has prevented numerous gay male models from feeling as though they can discuss their sexual preferences, as they assume that doing so may hinder their careers.

“It’s like Hollywood’s image of the perfect man, and this old notion of what it meant to be a man and that this perfect man couldn’t be gay. We know that’s wrong,” he says.

In Enninful's opinion, being viewed as different due to his race and sexuality has enabled him to gain skills that have consequently benefitted the trajectory of his career.

“When you’re gay you’re always viewed as the ‘other’,” he says.

“You’re able to have empathy, which is a very important word: to empathise with people and cultures.”

Enninful believes that his ability to empathise with others is what provided him with the tools he needed to succeed as a stylist over the years, working with a variety of top women’s magazines and editors.

“I never think in terms of sex or gender, I think in terms of what are you bringing to the table,” he says.

While some gay male models may still feel as though they need to keep the truth about their sexuality a secret, the British Vogue editor-in-chief states that more are beginning to feel comfortable coming out, a sign that the fashion industry is progressing in a positive way.

Enninful has made a huge impact on British Vogue ever since the news of his appointment as the first ever male editor-in-chief of the esteemed publication was announced in April 2017.

The first issue of the magazine that came out with Enninful at the helm featured British Ghanaian model and activist Adwoa Aboah on the front cover and a number of influential individuals including Sadiq Khan, Zadie Smith and Naomi Campbell inside.

In March this year, the magazine made history by featuring a hijab-wearing model, Halima Aden, on the cover for the first time in its 102-year history.

Yesterday, the UK’s Audit Bureau of Circulations announced that British Vogue had seen a 1.1 per cent increase in its combined digital and print circulation between January and June this year.