Breakfast radio is often a place of soulless selling out; of lie detectors; of gimmicks and catchphrases; of puerile sound effects and Nickelback.
Osher Gunsberg, 41, just swooshed a nice, cleansing breath of fresh air over that barren landscape with some beautiful honesty about sexuality.
Gunsberg, who’s added radio hosting on Brisbane’s hit105 to his The Bachelor/ette schedule, was being initiated into his new role this morning by co-host Abby Coleman.
In a segment called “Buzzfeed” in which Gunsberg was hooked up to an electric shock device, he was asked three questions — only one of which he was allowed to refuse to answer, or “buzz” on.
Not sure exactly how Gunsberg’s colleagues were planning to enforce this rule, but it didn’t matter — he was completely candid.
“When you went on a date with your now fiancée, the first time you went on a date she didn’t even know it was a date because she thought you were gay. Have you ever experimented with the same sex?” Coleman asked Gunsberg.
Without pause or hesitation, Gunsberg responded:
“I’m a firm believer of the fact that you’ve got to go on all the rides at Dreamworld before you find the one you want to stay on all day. I don’t think I’m out of the ordinary by saying, yeah, I’ve pashed a few blokes but, you know, it’s not for me.
“I don’t believe that anyone’s… that sexuality is a polarised thing. Sexuality happens… it’s a grey, kind of moving, fluid dynamic. Let’s just say your early 20s are there for a reason and the things that you test out are, you know… I’ve got no problems talking about that I’ve pashed a bloke or two.”
He’s not the only one talking about embracing boy-on-boy love. A few weeks ago, Rob “Millsy” Mills went on Em Rusciano’s podcast and talked openly about being “a little bit gay”.
In our Aussie, sport-heavy, beer-swilling culture, with its extremely narrow definitions of sexuality (especially for men), this is a bold new world. A bold, brilliant new world.
Gunsberg announced his engagement to make-up artist Audrey Griffin a week ago.
Nice one, Osh.
Osher sat down with Creative Director Mia Freedman for her podcast No Filter. Here’s more from him:
Top Comments
Not many gay men or lesbian women are surprised by these stories. We know. We know because of the number of 'straight' people who crack on to us. It's the acknowledging, honest part that isn't so common.
I was actually flicking between Nova and Hit105 yesterday morning because while this was being discussed, the other station was also discussing marriage equality in Australia. I'm glad Osher is comfortable being honest about his experiences and I'm sad that it is still something that is newsworthy.