HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Neil Patrick Harris says being an actor in the public spotlight made it that much harder for him to reveal his sexuality.
"Part of the coming-out process is figuring out who you like and what that means, and how to act on it," the 35-year-old actor explains in the September issue of Out magazine.
"Being an actor reduced my level of anonymity," Harris continues. "I couldn't just go to some bar and walk in and ask someone out on a date. If I had any regret it would be that strange lack of anonymity that created panic within myself that I would be found out."
The media broke news of Harris' sexuality in 2006, but the "How I Met Your Mother" star managed to keep his relationship with fellow actor David Burtka, 33, out of the tabloids for some time. Harris said the couple, who started dating in 2004, will probably slide under the radar screen should they decide to take advantage of May's state high court ruling, which struck down California's laws against gay marriage.
"I think if and when we do, we'd probably announce it after the fact as opposed to making any big announcement," he said of their plans to potentially marry someday.
The former "Doogie Howser" star says he's proud of the progress being made in today's society.
"We both wear rings, and I'm giddy when I see all the pictures of people so happy standing there, confirming the love they wish they could have expressed for a long time," he says. "I'm a big proponent of monogamous relationships regardless of sexuality, and I'm proud of how the nation is steering toward that."
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