Jane Lynch has spoken to Huffington Post about her early struggles with sexuality, expressing that at the time, being gay “felt like a disease” in her early teen years.

“I was in the closet for so long and it tortured me. I thought I was the only [gay] person in the world. It wasn’t a fun thing.”

Jane Lynch

Now, the actress says she’s proud of the impact that “Glee” has had in terms of opening doors for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) teen community, even if the show’s immense success came as a bit of a surprise to her and the rest of the cast.

“I’m glad that this show and the fact that I’m out and open about it will perhaps ease the hearts and minds of some kids where it’s not so easy… They think it’s legitimizing a lifestyle that leads to ruin and tears at the fabric of society, and I think that we’re finding that’s just hogwash.”

Jane Lynch