Supergirl 's Chyler Leigh has opened up about her sexuality as she said her LGBT character has helped her accept who she truly is.
The 38-year-old plays Alex Danvers in the hit show about Superman's cousin Kara Zor-El, who is portrayed by Melissa Benoist.
The actress says it was Alex's coming out storyline that helped her to fully embrace and accept her authentic self.
Chyler has been married to actor Nathan West since 2002 and together they share children Noah, 16, Taelyn, 13, and Anniston, 11.
Speaking out, she said she's finally accepted herself after a "long and lonely road".
She opened up about her sexuality in a post on the Creating Change website, saying that Alex's series two storyline, in which she fell in love with Detective Maggie Sawyer (Floriana Lima), made her realise a lot of things about herself.
She wrote: "When I was told that my character was to come out in season 2, a flurry of thoughts and emotions flew through and around me because of the responsibility I personally felt to authentically represent Alex's journey.
"What I didn't realize was how the scene where she finally confessed her truth would leap off the pages of the script and genuinely become a variation of my own. IRL.
"My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest each take we filmed, every time presenting another opportunity to get those honest words out of my mouth. Though they don't exactly match my personal dialogue, the heart behind it surely did."
Chyler said she was proud of the way her character represented the LGBT community.
She added: "From the director, the press, the media, the cast, and the fans, I'm still told that it was the most realistic coming out scene they'd ever witnessed.
"And to steal from Alex's words, that's because there's some truth to what she said about me. The scene is in Season 2, Episode 6 if you wanna see for yourself."
The storyline had some negative consequences for Chyler too, who said she lost the support for some of her friends by playing a gay character.
She wrote: "I don’t hold a grudge towards the negative response, because as I said, we all have had a hard time in one way or another with acceptance (whatever the subject may be) whether towards ourselves or others.
"It’s been a long and lonely road for both my husband and myself but I can wholeheartedly say that after all these years, he and I are still discovering the depths of ourselves and each other, but throughout our journey we've learned to be proud of who we are, no matter the cost."
Chyler's post comes at the beginning of Pride Month, which is celebrated in the United States in June each year to commemorate the Stonewall riots.
Thanking fans for their support, Chyler wrote on Instagram : "Hi friends. Today I've received an outpouring of love and support for acknowledging and loving myself as the person I truly am.
"Once we face our own true selves, we can better see the world around us, as well as how we can make a positive and lasting change for the sake of equality and love.
"I'm grateful to see more clearly, breathe a little easier, and I'm proud to contribute to all that I believe in with an honest, open heart. Sending love to you all."
