HealthySexual allows others to be educated and be inspired to learn and help others to protect their own sexual health. As part of the campaign, Lukas Gage shared his personal journey on his sexual health and the importance of having a voice and advocating on topics regarding our own health and self-care.
The Knockturnal sat down with Lukas as he spoke about his experience writing his memoir and how some of the roles he played in his career relate to sexual health. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The Knockturnal: I want to dive into your memoir for a second. I wanted to discuss the topics that you bring up in the memoir. You’re going to open up about personal issues and experiences you’ve had. Was there something in this memoir that you felt I really need to get out there for people to learn about me, or just something that you’ve wanted other people to know, and then also something that you were really nervous to let people know and also kind of scared to get on paper?
Lukas Gage: I think the thing I really felt like I needed to get out was, was some things that probably would have to do around, honestly, the mental health and the sexuality topics, which were, it’s a two-handed to your question, were the things that I was also most nervous about. I feel like oftentimes the things that we’re most scared to talk about or most fearful to talk about are the things that we probably should talk about, and there’s a reason that we’re feeling that way. So I feel like it was both really cathartic and really freeing to be open and articulate these thoughts that I had and get them down, on onto onto pen and paper, and figure out exactly the core of all these issues. But also, the other part of it is it’s really scary to be that vulnerable and not real and that honest with the world.
The Knockturnal: Yeah, I agree. That’s also very nerve-wracking to open up like that. I wanted to ask also the health campaign regarding prep is, you know, revolutionizing society’s view on safe sex and education. How would you say your memoir has contributed to that in that, and that message?
Gage: Well, I think, sexual health has been a part of my life and my routines and my self-care system. There was a part in the book, specifically where I talk about some STD scares and some sexual health scares and and where I’m held responsible, and in areas where maybe I should have been more careful, and why it’s a smart choice, whether you’re single or in a relationship, and I give an example in there that kind of ties it all together.
But yeah, I think for me, I feel very proud and happy that I’m sharing that information, because I don’t want to be shameful, and I don’t want to like, feel like there it shouldn’t be allowed to be talked about. I think it should be an open conversation, and hopefully, in return, help other people that are or maybe don’t have that much information about it, or are trying to figure it out.
The Knockturnal: Yeah, I agree. I think that’s something you should definitely be proud about. Because I think when someone looks up to someone like you and they see themselves in your shoes, they want to feel related to, obviously. And yeah, it’s good that you talk about stuff like that regarding that. What advice would you give to someone who is having trouble opening up like that about conversations regarding sexual health protection, who have trouble finding that voice? Because these topics are very important, and, you know, vital to self-care, and sometimes people can’t find those people to open up about those topics with.
Gage: Yeah, that’s, I think that’s why I’m so happy to team up with Gilead and get the word out about PrEP and help this fight against HIV. And we have done a small part by having a website that people can visit that maybe don’t know where to start and have the resources for. And it’s Lucas dot healthy sexuals.com, and there they can, if they don’t know where to start, maybe we can help that journey and give some information and and all that. But if they can, I know it can be a little bit scary to do so, but just to try to have the confidence to open up that dialog with your doctor.
The Knockturnal: And those resources obviously help people they get to, you know, at least start somewhere. I wanted to highlight that with the work you’re doing with your memoir and also spreading this awareness, you’re inspiring a movement that helps protect both health and wellness of others. How important is it for you to do this with the platform you have and the message you’re trying to give with that?
Gage: Yeah, I think that, I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t use my platform to give back, sharing information that I have learned and and to try to help other people that don’t have the resources or don’t live in a big city like I do, have the knowledge and information that they may not learn in school or and, you know, I think some things are still it’s interesting how somethings are taboo to talk about and other things are. And it’s acceptable and it’s okay. But I hope that by doing this and using my platform, that someone somewhere in middle of the country that doesn’t have our resources can find that information and feel informed.
The Knockturnal: I want to highlight a little bit of the work you’ve done. You’ve played complex characters in TV shows, such as in The White Lotus, You, and Overcompensating, which are all great shows, by the way. Have these roles changed your perspective in any way, in terms of sexual health? And is there a character that comes to mind that you think has broken barriers when it comes to ownership of their sexuality?
Gage: Yeah, I think in every part that I play, I feel like, and that’s the goal that I want to continue to do, is I hopefully I learned something along the way, and hopefully I can, you know, find that piece of myself or connect with that area of myself that I’m, you know, haven’t maybe shut down or maybe didn’t take the time to connect with. So that’s like an amazing part of this job.
I would say one character that I think broke the mold a little bit is, I played this, like hyper masculine tough dude in high school named in a show called Tagged, and the character’s name was Brandon Darrow, and the first season, he went from this womanizing, misogynistic bro to a really sensitive, bisexual, like emo. I just feel like the spectrum so like, fluid and the same with like on You, you know, like he was married to a girl or engaged to a woman, and having kinks, sexual, kinky adventures with other men, and having a conversation with his wife about, well, first lying and then having a conversation with his wife about it. But I feel like I’ve done a spectrum of, you know, all the way straight, all the way gay, or somewhere in the middle, and some fluid combination of it all. So I feel like lucky to have dipped my toes into so many different, different roles.
The Knockturnal: Is there one that you connect with the most out of all your characters?
Gage: That’s a good question. I would have to say, I’m gonna go with the White Lotus. Because there’s an aspect to that character that I feel like is, you know, I weirdly, for someone who is kind of an exhibitionist, I do have a really, kind of, shy part of myself, and takes time to warm up.
And that character, I believe, is a little bit fluid and somewhere on the queer spectrum, and he grinds his way to the to get through life, and he works his way at jobs and loves the beach like I don’t know, I see a lot of myself, weirdly, in that one, I would say.
The Knockturnal: I think it’s always fun when you can see a character that you play that relates to you. Because I feel like it might be easier to play, maybe.
Gage: Yeah, I mean, I kind of have an easier time playing unlikable characters. I also think that they’re just more fun.
Those kind of like sweeter, shyer characters that are actually surprisingly closer to who I am in real life, or a little bit harder to play. I feel like I, you know, with those kind of other characters that are so, you know, like the guy in You is like, I mean, there’s no other way to put it. He’s a dick. And, but I feel like when you’re playing something closer to yourself, you feel really exposed, and you’re like, don’t feel like it’s enough or something.
The Knockturnal: Touching back on your memoir, I wrote this for attention. I love the title, by the way.
Gage: Thank you so much. I’m so proud of it.
The Knockturnal: Of course, you should be proud of it. I wanted to know was this memoir more written in a manner to educate other people about your experiences, or was it more about spreading sexual health and just letting people know more about your life?
Gage: No, HAHAHA
The Knockturnal: The immediate no is hilarious.
Gage: Well, the deal with it, being I think I have a real adverse reaction to being like an inspirational how-to book or a guidebook, book, to like I don’t feel like it’s “self-helpy” whatsoever at all.
However, by being honest and raw and truthful about my experiences with sexual health and mental health, if that can make anyone you know connect and feel seen. That’s what I look for when I’m reading these non fiction, autobiography, memoir type of books is like, where do I connect and, and where do I align with these people that maybe feel like they have such different lives than me, and where, where do we lie somewhere along the middle and, that’s my hope with it I think.
The Knockturnal: I agree, I think sometimes people are nervous to, like, talk about certain issues and stuff about their, you know, personal life, but the minute it comes out of, you know, someone’s mouth and talking about it, everyone relates to it immediately. You wouldn’t think so. But since, like, Wait, Lucas, like, went through this, maybe I did too, and stuff like that.
Gage: Yeah, I think that so many things people can universally connect on.
The Knockturnal: And they’re just too scared to do,
Gage: Yeah, and I get it, and it’s hard to and but hopefully, you know, by oversharing a little bit and probably saying too much, it can help other people feel a little bit comfortable making that first step and being honest and truthful as well.
Because I get it, it’s not easy to tell the truth.
The Knockturnal: With this memoir again, do you think your younger self would feel inspired by the story that you’re telling and sharing the vulnerability that you are sharing with?
Gage: That’s a great question!
I would think younger me would be so shocked that I was sharing this much. But I also think younger me and I have to take a second to acknowledge and not be self-deprecating for a second, and not make a joke out of something that I’m so tempted to always do.
But I think he would be really proud of where I’m at and where I’ve landed in my life, and how open and comfortable I am with myself, because I wasn’t always that way, and I was in denial and afraid to be authentic to myself, and I got really good at lying and hiding.
And I think, yeah, I think if he knew that I was writing a memoir about this and having a campaign about being a sexually healthy person, I think he would be shocked, but also impressed.
The Knockturnal: I wanted to highlight, you said, sometimes its scary to overshare and stuff like that, which is crazy to think, because I feel like, with the memoir, like you’re going to be talking about yourself, and sometimes, it’s crazy how, scary it is to just talk about being yourself, you know what I mean.
And I think that’s something you should be proud about, because readers will definitely enjoy the book that you have to share with everyone about your personal experience.
Gage: Thank you! Thank you! And what I think, I think the more you talk about it, the less scary it becomes, and the better.
And yeah, so thank you for saying that!
The Knockturnal: Yes, of course. And the more you know, people share with their platform, I think the more comfortable everyone will get about talking about certain issues that are so easy to talk about, but like, are just so hard to start, if that makes sense.
Gage: Yeah, no, it is. I think that we often times get in our own way way more than we need to.
But sometimes you need to be, you know, not that I’m an inspirational teacher, but sometimes you need to be shown by, and maybe that could help one person out there, and that’s great.
The Knockturnal: Exactly, I have one last question for you, but if I wrote this for attention, your memoir happened to turn into a film.
Who would be playing Lukas, who would be playing you, and who would you want doing the soundtrack?
Gage: I could see Patricia Arquette playing my mom. I just see this really, in my head, I could see me being played by, um, oh God. Who could play me?
The Knockturnal: Yeah, who’s it gonna be? Could be younger you. Or you now?
Gage: I don’t even know. You have to find some like, freaking unknown actor that’s never been, or we have to do a worldwide search.
The soundtrack would have to be a mix between, ooh, we’ll go big Hans Zimmer, or we’ll do Doja Cat.
The Knockturnal: Ugh, I love Doja Cat.
Gage: Yeah, like a crazy orchestra mixed with Doja Cat would be so psychotic, but yeah, it’d be perfect. I love Doja Cat, too. I’m so excited for a new album.
The Knockturnal: Oh my gosh, me too. I think she’s making a comeback.
Gage: She is. She’s back, baby. I loved Scarlet, too.
The Knockturnal: Oh my gosh, I went to that tour. It was so good. I got chills the whole time.
Gage: No, me too! I think she’s one of the best artists of our generation.
The Knockturnal: I think so. And I think every choice she does, it’s just, it’s all artistry. And some people are like what, but it’s not that deep. You know what I mean?
Everyone’s like, Oh, why did she do this? It’s all part of the business, guys like, relax.
Gage: I love it. I love people that are bold and are authentically themselves, and maybe a little bit polarizing too.
I connect to those kind of artists, and she’s definitely one of them.
The Knockturnal: I agree! Well, I had pleasure talking to you.
Gage: You too!
The Knockturnal: Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions and also spreading awareness about, you know, important topics.
Gage: Thank you. Thank you. I had a really good time talking to you!