Actor Thomas Dekker says he is gay and married

July 14 (UPI) -- Heroes and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles star Thomas Dekker has posted a lengthy statement on social media revealing he is gay and married.

"My sexual orientation once again came into question this week when a prominent gay man used an awards acceptance speech to 'out' me. While he did not mention me by name, the explicit details of his reference made it easy for the public and media to connect the dots," Dekker wrote in his Twitter post.

"While it is an odd situation, I thank him because it presents a prime opportunity for me to publicly say that I am indeed a man who proudly loves other men. In fact, this April, I married my husband and I could not be happier," he went on. "I have never lied to the press about the fluidity of my sexuality but this man claiming that I came out is not true. Because I have not 'officially' until this moment. I simply refuse to be robbed of the glorious joy that belongs to me. To say the words myself. 'I'm gay'. Those words are a badge of honor that no one can steal. Sexuality and who you love is a deeply personal and complicated thing. For some of us, it takes time to cultivate, discover and conclude. It is not something anyone should ever be ashamed of and certainly not something anyone should be rushed into."

His message concludes: "Be proud of who you are. No matter how long it takes."

E! News said writer-producer Bryan Fuller is the "prominent gay man" to which the 29-year-old actor referred. Fuller reportedly commented at a recent Outfest event that a gay Heroes star was discouraged by his management from coming out for fear it would impact his future in Hollywood.