Tim Gunn, known as a mentor on the fashion show 'Project Runway', has revealed in a heartfelt discussion on the Dear Chelsea podcast that he has been celibate for over 43 years. He attributes this choice to a traumatic experience from 1982, when he ended a nine-year relationship with his boyfriend. This unexpected breakup left Gunn in emotional turmoil as he learned that his partner had been unfaithful, which coincided with the rising panic among the gay community due to the AIDS crisis.

Gunn shared the profound impact of this betrayal, stating that it transformed his feelings of self-pity into uncontrollable anger. He was terrified that the revelation might have endangered his life, considering the alarming spread of AIDS at the time. His ex-partner's admission that he had been unfaithful with numerous men caused Gunn to feel as though he had received a 'death sentence', highlighting the fear and uncertainty that many faced during this period in history when AIDS was claiming thousands of lives across the United States.

The conversation sheds light on the broader implications of personal relationships intertwined with public health crises, especially during the 1980s when fear and misinformation about AIDS were rampant. Gunn's choice of celibacy is not merely a personal preference but a profound response to a traumatic experience shaped by the socio-political climate of the time, offering listeners insight into the emotional and psychological ramifications that can stem from such pivotal moments in one's life.