Pee-wee and Me: A Gay Man's Connection to the Iconic Character

Published: May 24, 2025

As a gay man, I have a special connection to Pee-wee Herman, created by Paul Reubens, who recently passed away in 2023. In a new HBO documentary, Pee-wee as Himself, Reubens opens up about keeping his sexuality hidden for decades, fearing it would end his career as a children's personality.

But for me, Pee-wee Herman was more than just a character - he was a symbol of acceptance and validation. As an adult, I would organize my Saturday mornings around watching Pee-wee's Playhouse, which ran from 1986 to 1991. The show was rife with gay or queer signifiers, which I instantly recognized and connected with.

One of the pleasures of gay culture is being able to pick up on jokes, phrases, or lines that make sense only if you happen to be "that way." Pee-wee's Playhouse was like a dog whistle that snapped me to attention. I can't think of another show that appealed to me quite the same way.

The show's therapeutic effect was unexpected, but it does even now, judging from my emotions when I watch old clips. Pee-wee's world was a safe, happy, colorful place where everyone liked everyone else for who they were, no more, no less. Pee-wee might cause a raised eyebrow or two in Puppet Land, but he wasn't bullied or ridiculed.

Reubens, in a sense, imagined a happy childhood for me. The Playhouse can be found in the same vicinity as the place Judy Garland sang about. You could say I'm a Friend of Pee-wee's.

Pee-wee as Himself is streaming on Max. If you're a fan of Pee-wee Herman, you won't want to miss this documentary.