Bob Harper of The Biggest Loser came out of that proverbial closet on this week’s episode of the show. His confession came as he encouraged contestant Bobby Saleem to come out to his father. Saleem’s dad was visiting the ranch at the time.

“I haven’t talked about my sexuality on this show ever,” Harper said during Tuesday’s episode of The Biggest Loser. “I really do believe this is the right time.”

Saleem’s biggest issue with coming out was his Catholic background.

“I come from a very strict Catholic background,” Saleem said. He had admitted previously on the show that he is gay. “Homosexuality, in a sense, was wrong, so I kind of hid it. It’s just something I’ve kind of kept from my parents, or at least my dad. I always felt like there was something wrong with me.”

Bob Harper explained to Bobby Saleem that he came out when he was just 17 years old.

“When I came out … I realized that there was going to be so many obstacles,” he told the contestant. “But being gay doesn’t mean being weak.”

Harper thanked his fans for all their support via Twitter.

Thank you – pic.twitter.com/2nCh0A3J5T

— Bob Harper (@MyTrainerBob) November 27, 2013

Bobby Saleem followed suit–but thanked Bob Harper instead.

Thank you @MyTrainerBob for the words that have changed the path of my life. #BL15

— Bobby Saleem (@BobbyBlueBL15) November 27, 2013

While it doesn’t seem like many people were surprised by Harper’s revelation, it does appear that most are supportive of both him and Bobby Saleem. A fellow Biggest Loser contestants chimed in via Twitter, too.

"Being gay doesnt mean being weak or youre less than anyone else, its just who you are" @MyTrainerBob @BobbyBlueBL15 POWERFUL!!! #BL15

— Tanya BiggestLoser15 (@TanyaWinfield) November 27, 2013

Kudos to Bob Harper for publicly acknowledging his own sexuality in order to help a contestant acknowledge his. Hopefully others were helped by his candid conversation with Bobby Saleem.

Image via Wikimedia