Love Island Star
Love Island star Eyal Booker has opened up about his strong sense of protection for his gay brother, Tal, while also encouraging others to confront casual homophobia. During a candid conversation on Tal’s podcast, It’s Not That Deep, the brothers discussed their experiences and the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
Brotherly Bond
Eyal revealed feeling a deep “responsibility” toward his sibling, particularly in navigating a society where casual homophobia remains prevalent. In an episode titled The Word Gay and All the Negativity That Surrounds It, the brothers shared personal anecdotes about how the term “gay” has been weaponized in harmful and dismissive ways.
Tal, a tattoo artist, humorously recalled instances where people used the term inappropriately. “I heard someone say: ‘You shouldn’t iron your shirt because that’s gay,’” he said. “I’ve also been told having a tattoo is gay.”
Eyal acknowledged the pervasive misuse of the term in the early 2000s. “It was weaponised but also used with ease in such a throwaway way that nobody would even question [it],” he said. “Parents would use it, kids would use it. People would generally use it to describe things.”
The Ongoing Struggle
Tal opened up about the internalized challenges he continues to face as a gay man. “I still almost pause when I say it, that I am gay, because it feels I’m insulting myself,” he admitted. “That’s what I knew for so long. The only time I really knew anyone was gay was when they were being bullied for it.”
He added that even now, he finds it uncomfortable to embrace his identity fully and feels the need to “come out on a daily basis.”
Call to Action
Both Eyal and Tal emphasized the importance of challenging homophobic language and behavior. “Call out your friends when they [use] it, [there is] no room for jokes,” they urged listeners.
Tal pointed out the disparity in who has the right to make jokes about marginalized groups. “It’s easy for a cisgender straight white man to make those jokes, but they’re not the marginalised ones… so they can’t make the jokes. I can make a joke, you can’t. If you’re not that thing, you don’t have the right to joke about it.”
Eyal’s Celebrity Crush
In a lighter moment during the conversation, Eyal shared that he has a male celebrity crush: Australian Avengers star Chris Hemsworth. His openness further demonstrated the evolving understanding and acceptance within their family dynamic.
Eyal’s Journey in the Spotlight
Eyal first rose to fame on Love Island in 2018 and has since appeared on various reality shows, including Celebs on the Ranch, Celebs Go Dating, and The X Factor: Celebrity. Despite his public profile, he continues to use his platform to advocate for important social issues, including LGBTQ+ rights.
What are your thoughts on Eyal and Tal’s discussion about casual homophobia and family support? Share your views in the comments below and remember to keep the conversation respectful.
