Former "Baywatch" star Jaason Simmons opens up about life after coming out

Earlier this year, we told you about former Baywatch star Jaason Simmons and his decision to come out publicly.

Well, he's now given an interview with Australian gay newspaper SX, in which discusses the ramifications of that decision, and what it's meant to his career:

“It’s like a dichotomy,” says Simmons. “On one hand, people think being openly gay hurts your career. Why else are there so few openly-gay actors? But on the other hand it makes you stand out … The reaction has been so positive, so beautiful, that I’m really glad it’s out in the open.”

He talks about the support he received from everyone at Baywatch (who knew he was gay), especially from David Hasselhoff:

“He was really great about it,” Simmons recalls. “He was a huge supporter of mine back in the day, and we still keep in touch."

He also discusses his desire to marry his boyfriend , actor John O'Callaghan, and laments the fact that his native country won't accept his relationship legally.

“I’m really disappointed in Australia over that. I love Australia, I’ll always be Australian, but I don’t want to live in a place where I’m considered a second-class citizen, where my relationship and family aren’t recognised."

As for now, Jaason's priorities are mainly with raising his son Odin, (who John adopted in 2006), and working on green issues, but hopefully we'll see him and those Meg Foster-ish eyes back on tv soon.