Ironically, an attempt to steer him away from his sexuality eventually led Bowen Yang to what he later described as the gayest school in the country.
During an appearance on the SmartLess podcast, the Saturday Night Live star spoke openly about his sexuality, his teenage years and his coming-out experience. According to Yang, his parents discovered a chat conversation on the family computer, effectively outing him when he was 17 years old.
The Ultimatum From His Parents
The emotional reaction from his parents led to a difficult decision.
The then-17-year-old Yang was told he could either stay home and attend a local university, or participate in conversion therapy and be allowed to move to New York to study at NYU. He reluctantly accepted the deal, only to later realize that NYU had a reputation for being “the gayest school in the country.”
Eight Weeks With A “Quack”
The therapy sessions lasted roughly eight weeks and, according to Yang, relied heavily on pseudoscientific ideas. The goal was to explain and ultimately “fix” his sexuality.
Yang described the experience as deeply painful and harmful.
During his final session, the therapist told a story about a gay man. At one point, he accidentally switched into the first person, seemingly revealing his own experiences with men.
Today, Yang recounts the story with humor, while still acknowledging the seriousness of the topic. The bizarre twist has become one of the most memorable moments from his retelling and reflects the kind of humor many fans associate with him.
The story highlights not only how damaging conversion therapy can be for many people, but also why Yang continues to speak publicly about his experiences. What began as one of the most challenging periods of his life has become a story that is both thought-provoking and strangely surreal.
What would you do if you were faced with a similar ultimatum? Let us know in the comments below.
