Beartooth’s Caleb Shomo Opens Up About His Christian Upbringing and Being Taught That Being Gay Was “A Sickness You Can Cure with Prayer”

Beartooth’s Caleb Shomo shares candid reflections on his Christian upbringing and the struggles of accepting his sexuality amid deeply rooted beliefs.

A Bold Step Forward: Caleb Shomo Comes Out

When Caleb Shomo, the powerhouse frontman of Ohio’s post-hardcore band Beartooth, came out as a “proudly gay man” last month, it was a moment that resonated deeply with fans and the wider music community alike. Having built a career on raw emotion and intense honesty, Caleb's announcement was as genuine as the music he pours his heart into.

He shared an emotional statement with his followers, saying he was "trying to finally be proud of who I am." This revelation came after a turbulent period, during which Beartooth released their first single in 2026, titled “Free.” The release sparked homophobic slurs in comment sections, forcing Caleb to delete his Instagram earlier in the year. The backlash prompted him to clear the air before it impacted those he loves.

“I feel compelled to set the record straight before it affects those I love any further,” Caleb wrote. “This is something I’ve been unpacking and reckoning with in my life for quite some time now. It’s been difficult to navigate the feelings surrounding the subject and figure out what to do with this fact.”

The Weight of a Religious Upbringing

Peeling back the layers of his story, Caleb opened up about his deeply religious upbringing on a recent episode of the Disrespectfully podcast. Raised in a family where faith was everything, Caleb described himself as “the son of a preacher who is the son of a preacher,” illustrating how interwoven Christianity was with his identity.

“Essentially, with Christianity, you devote your life to Jesus,” he explained. But the particular flavor of Christianity Caleb grew up with — rooted in the Southern tradition — held a stricter stance on homosexuality. It emphasized not just faith, but serving others, which fundamentally shaped his view of self-worth.

“To me, I have no self worth, no self love, no reason for being here other than serving other people and loving other people and following the playbook,” Caleb reflected. “So that’s a tough place to start, especially being gay.”

Despite the strict teachings, Caleb stressed his love for his parents and his belief that they simply did their best within their faith. However, the lessons he absorbed attached negative meanings to homosexuality, making self-acceptance a battle.

A Troubling Belief: “Being Gay Was a Sickness”

Caleb’s upbringing ingrained in him a heartbreaking belief: that being gay was “a sickness that you can cure with prayer.” This mindset made coming out as a teenager not just difficult, but terrifying.

He recalled becoming involved in a music scene during the mid-to-late 2000s, a “really wild Christian era,” where evangelical devout Christians surrounded him. Caleb himself was a Christian then, entangled in a community grappling with faith and identity.

One memory stands out starkly: when at 16, Caleb joined a group praying to “pray the gay out of one of our crew members.” The experience was “traumatising” and “terrifying,” forcing him to wrestle with feelings he didn’t fully understand.

“I was trying my best and just trying to follow the path, [but] there was just so much I didn’t understand about myself,” he admitted.

Childhood Memories of Repression

Caleb’s struggles with his identity trace back even further. He recalled a poignant childhood moment, when at around six years old, he wore a “girl’s ring.” The backlash from peers was immediate and harsh — he was ridiculed and humiliated, eventually throwing the ring out the school bus window.

“To me, that was this very strong feminine side that I have, but it’s just not the vibe in Ohio in the Christian world,” Caleb shared. The societal pressures only intensified as he grew older, with constant reminders of how “weird” it was to be gay or to express femininity.

He described the feelings he had at the time, which he now recognizes as his sexuality, as “self-hatred.” This internalized struggle initially made him feel “evil,” and he fought against it with prayer and determination.

Life Changes and New Beginnings

Before coming out publicly, Caleb was married to his wife, Fleur Shomo, for nearly 14 years. The announcement of his sexuality naturally brought changes, and Fleur later shared her own heartfelt statement confirming their split — but emphasized that they remain on good terms.

Meanwhile, Beartooth is gearing up to release their upcoming album Pure Ecstasy on August 28, marking the band’s first album since 2023’s The Surface. The anticipation is building, with fans eager to see how Caleb’s journey will influence his music next.

The Catharsis of Music

Caleb has always described his work with Beartooth as deeply personal. In a past interview, he called it his “most intimate experience” with music, where he can lay bare his soul, unfiltered.

“Whatever kind of viewpoint they’re from… Some, obviously, being more painful than others,” he reflected. “Beartooth is the most intimate experience that I have with music. Beartooth and me are one thing. It’s just me talking about exactly what I’m going through, with no filters, at that moment.”

Watch and Listen

Check out these videos to dive deeper into Caleb’s story and Beartooth’s evolving sound:

• Caleb Shomo - A Suit of Armor | w/ Katie Maloney & Dayna Kathan
• Beartooth - Pure Ecstasy (Official Music Video)
• Caleb Shomo talks about mental health, his love of pop and surprisingly bright ‘The Surface’

Your Thoughts?

Caleb Shomo’s story is a moving reminder of how personal struggles with faith and identity can shape even the fiercest spirit. Have you experienced moments where your own upbringing clashed with who you truly are? How do you think music can help us heal and find pride in our identities? Share your thoughts below!

FAQ

• What did Caleb Shomo say about his upbringing?
  Caleb described growing up in a deeply religious Christian family where being gay was seen as a sickness that could be cured with prayer.
• When did Caleb Shomo come out publicly?
  He came out last month, sharing a heartfelt message with his fans about being a proudly gay man.
• How did Caleb’s community react to Beartooth’s single “Free”?
  Some listeners responded with homophobic slurs, which contributed to Caleb deleting his Instagram earlier in the year.
• What was Caleb’s experience with prayer groups as a teenager?
  He joined a group that tried to “pray the gay out” of a friend, an experience he described as terrifying and traumatising.
• Is Caleb Shomo still married?
  Caleb was married for nearly 14 years, but after his coming out, he and his wife separated amicably.

If you love Beartooth and want to celebrate this era of Caleb Shomo’s journey, consider shopping for your favorite album cover poster at our store. It’s a beautiful way to honor the music and the powerful stories behind it. Browse our collection here.