Watson's announcement at Ottawa Citizen came just one day before the start of Ottawa's Capital Pride 2019. Watson writes, among other things, about the difficult time when he was bullied in elementary school. Although his university environment was more liberal, Watson said he was still too shy and reluctant to process that part of his identity.
Watson has been the mayor of Ottawa since 2010 and was previously mayor from 1997 to 2000. He wrote to be proud of his history with the LGBT + community: He voted for same-sex marriage and as a provincial cabinet minister he made it easier for same-sex couples to to marry. He was also the first mayor of Ottawa to march in the city's Pride Parade.
Yet he expressed some regrets and with that some wise words for others in similar situations: "But if I can be so cheeky to give a little advice to those who are still in the closet: Don't feel pressured or rushed to come out, but don't wait 40 years either. My reluctance has not allowed me to live my life as full of love and adventure as my gay friends who were bolder and braver than I ever was. "
