As Captain on one of the most popular shows on television, Captain Sandy Yawn of Below Deck Mediterranean welcomes her role as a high profile member of the LGBTQ+ community.
“I feel blessed,” Captain Sandy told SLING in an interview celebrating Pride Month. “For me, it’s a gift to be able to share what I’ve learned over the years with other people.”
But although Sandy says her experience has been “great” since announcing her relationship with gospel singer Leah Shafer last year, it sadly hasn’t all been smooth sailing for her partner.
“For her, it’s been nothing but a shame-fest,” Sandy says. “We were talking this morning, she said, ‘Imagine your entire career being taken away from you because you love [someone of] the same sex.’”
The judgmental attitude Leah is facing is a challenge that Captain Sandy and too many members of the LGBTQ+ community have also struggled with.
“As a kid, I always thought those feelings were not normal,” Sandy says. “I think a big part of the reason why I drank and used drugs was because I couldn’t accept my sexuality. And after I got sober, it was like, ‘Who cares?’”
“I’m just gonna love who I want to love, I don’t care what people say or think,” she continues. “I’m gonna live my best life, and obviously help others.”
Watch our full interview with Captain Sandy below and be sure to check out our curated ribbon “Captain Sandy’s Pride Playlist” under the On Demand Tab in the Sling App for more exclusive content, along with select Pride-themed episodes of Bravo favorites like Real Housewives of Atlanta and New Jersey, Shahs of Sunset, and, of course, Below Deck Mediterranean.
For even more Pride Month content, tune into Bravo's Pride Parade Marathon on Sunday, June 28 from 6am ET to 2pm ET.
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