Longtime TV judge Greg Mathis, well known among fans for cracking down on crackheads in his studio courtroom, says he’s got new group of reprobates coming under the gavel: “If you’re homophobic, I don’t want you to watch my show.”
The popular judge – who has been on television for over two decades – came out with the message in his new reality show Mathis Family Members on E!, in a revealing conversation with his almost-out son Greg, Jr. and boyfriend Elliot.
Related: Lil Nas X’s team says a BET producer called his famous 2021 same-sex kiss ‘fucked-up’
MATHIS FAMILY MATTERS TONIGHT! 9:30pm est on E! Happy Juneteenth and Father’s Day. Celebrate a Black Holiday with a Black Father and his family. pic.twitter.com/2rYBMUL14j
— Judge Greg Mathis (@JudgeGregMathis) June 19, 2022
“If somebody at work said, ‘Damn, are you gay?'” Mathis asks his son, “What would you say?”
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
“I’d say no,” Greg Jr. responds.
“Really?”
“Uh huh.”
“God damn, man.”
Greg Jr. explains: “As accepting as you all have been, the reality is that there’s people that hate us for that.”
“Let me stop you for a minute,” replies the judge. “It’s hard for me to get past you having the feeling that that you have to tell somebody, ‘No, man.’ I never knew that. You should never feel that way, man. You should never feel that way.”
Greg Jr. tells his older sister earlier in the premiere episode: “You know me and Elliot. Both of us feel like it’s getting to the point that it’s getting a little too stupid to be living in the shadows of who we really are.”
Their “dad has worked so hard to become who he is today. When I do come out publicly, my worst fear is that his fan base would turn on him.”
The judge objects: “Thinking that it would affect me negatively” is “the direct opposite. If you’re homophobic, I don’t want you to watch my show. If you’re a bigoted racist I don’t want you to watch my show.”
“You have an obligation to show others and help others and to lift them up,” the judge tells his son. “So I view it as a blessing.”
“I love you,” Greg Jr. tells the judge, “and not a lot of fathers would be willing to have this conversation with their son.”
“The first step is my coming out publicly, but I would say, sitting down with you and having that conversation is empowering for me and I appreciate it.”
“Greg is very savvy, so much like me,” says Mathis. “They make a good couple.”
Twitter sides with the court.
Judge Mathis’s son Greg Jr. and his boo Elliott are CUTE! #MathisFamilyMatters pic.twitter.com/3V9lAgQIyf
— why am I getting so much backlash? (@TheGreatIsNate) June 20, 2022
A lot of Black parents watch *and* love Judge Mathis. Him accepting, affirming, and loving his gay son matters. It will matter to so many.
— stony morrison, PhD (@rrandolphjr) June 20, 2022
Judge Mathis is the father of the year… He is the BEST…pic.twitter.com/Ofegk791rD
— Lebang Moloi (@lebang_moloi) June 18, 2022
Imagine if more black gay men had fathers like Judge Mathis. pic.twitter.com/AnCvmSSY6g
— Sampson (@OfficialSampson) June 18, 2022
This is such an important conversation and I'm so proud of Judge Mathis for loving his son #MathisFamilyMatters
— Game of Throats 🇬🇾🏳️🌈 (@TopherFrance) June 20, 2022
My Pop is just like Judge Mathis! Grateful for that. ❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/lFrjNFwRY8
— Nasir Kenneth Ferebee (@NasirKFerebee) June 18, 2022
Love to see a black father on tv loving on his black gay son UNAPOLOGETICALLY. It makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE. I always say this, having grew up with such a loving family. Watching this made me love Judge Mathis even more. I’ll be tuned in to this show for sure! #MathisFamilyMatters
— susan frm plannd parenthood. (@RickysBurnbook) June 20, 2022
Don't forget to share: