Gay BBC presenter praises LGBT ‘role models’ Sue Perkins & Cara Delevingne
Jane Hill has opened up on her struggle growing up with no gay role models.
The Radio 4 presenter credited fellow host Sue Perkins and model Cara Delevingne for increasing the public’s acceptance of LGBT women.
Hill also discussed the difficulties she faced when coming out – a struggle she believes the younger generation will no longer face.
“When I was growing up, I had terrible struggles with who I was,” she told The Mail on Sunday.
“It was hugely difficult for me. I didn’t know any lesbians. I didn’t see any gay women in the media in magazines.
“It wasn’t talked about it, it wasn’t part of the conversation,” she added.
“What I think is truly incredible is that I now look in a magazine and I see Cara Delevingne, this beautiful model, just completely relaxed about who she is and not trying to hide it, not being secretive.”
Delevingne – who identifies as bisexual = has previously avoided discussing her relationships, but recently opened up about struggling with her sexuality while growing up.
Hill continued: “What I find even more extraordinary the fact she is gay isn’t even a story. It’s just accepted, it’s fine. It’s just who she is.
“For young girls growing up, this is incredible.”
Hill also praised fellow presenter Sue Perkins – who is currently in a relationship with fellow TV presenter, Secret Eaters host Anna Richardson – calling her a “complete triumph.”
“There she is, a completely open, gay woman hosting the biggest BBC show on television,” she said.
“Bake Off is huge. But it’s about middle class, middle England, Mary Berry and Victoria sponge cakes and there is Sue just embraced as part of all that and to any woman of my age who is gay it’s an extraordinarily wonderful thing.
“I know Sue, I think she’s wonderful and, like Cara, I think she’s absolutely inspirational and just the very fact of them representing themselves not as clichés but as who they are is tremendous,” Hill added.
However, she said that she is cautious of using her sexuality to further her career and criticised celebrities such as Miley Cyrus – who revealed she is pansexual earlier this year – for doing so.
“I see people like Miley Cyrus doing the gay thing – and while that’s absolutely fine – it’s not such a realistic representation for most women. It’s a bit of a London bubble thing, a fashion thing.
“But we’re moving forward. For me life is good,” she added.
‘At work, my sexuality has never been an issue. That’s how it should be. I’m just very glad I can be exactly who I am.”
