Sara Gilbert Realized She Was Gay After Dating Johnny Galecki

Sara Gilbert recently got engaged to girlfriend Linda Perry, but that doesn't mean questions about her personal life haven't persisted. Now co-host of The Talk CBS, Gilbert (who is known to millions as the sarcastic, rebel daughter Darlene Connor on Roseanne) recently discussed her sexual identity struggles she while growing up on set of the family sitcom. Plus, Gilbert dated co-star and onscreen love interest Johnny Galecki (who now plays Leanard Hofstadter on The Big Bang Theory), so what was that all about?

"I thought he was super cute, and I had a total crush on him," Gilbert said late last week on the popular talk show. "And we started dating and he would come over and we would, like, make out. And then I would start to get depressed..."[I] eventually told him I thought it was about my sexuality, and he was super sweet about it."

Turns out, Gilbert soon began dating a woman who was 18 years her senior. Still, Gilbert remained in the closet and Galecki kept her secret. "I always felt so scared. If it came out, what could happen? Could I lose my career? Will I ever be able to play a straight role again?"

Though Gilbert is now happily engaged to be married, she says coming to terms with her sexual identity is a continual struggle.

"We do often say things like 'it gets better,' and it does get better. And like I said, I have an amazing life, but I want people to know that there can still be a struggle with it, and that's OK. That it really is a process, and that there can be a part of you that doesn't want to feel different, or feels scared. And that maybe is more important than any of it."

Gilbert and Galecki remain close friends, and she said he supported her discussion on The Talk. Seriously, what a sweet guy. And we sincerely commend Gilbert as well. It's rare we hear such a frank and unedited discussion of sexuality. Sometimes finding comfort in your sexual orientation (whether gay, straight, or somewhere in between) isn't a Point A to Point B kind of journey. As Gilbert said, there's plenty of struggle, and that's OK.

Watch Gilbert on The Talk below: