7 hours ago
HGTV Star David Bromstad Reflects on Pioneering Gay Representation in Early Network Days
READ TIME: 3 MIN.
David Bromstad burst onto the HGTV scene in 2006 as the winner of the first season of HGTV Design Star, a competition that launched his career hosting shows like Color Splash, Beach Flip, and the long-running My Lottery Dream Home. From the outset, Bromstad was unapologetically himself, openly identifying as gay during the competition. "I was like, 'I'm not playing it straight. I'm playing it me,'" he recalled on the HGTV Obsessed podcast, describing how this authenticity liberated him and was celebrated by the network.
In a recent interview, Bromstad elaborated on the scarcity of genuine LGBTQ+ representation in media at the time. "I got onto television when gay was still new to the media. There wasn’t a lot of representation that was real," he told TV Insider while discussing his new HGTV special on renovating his Central Florida home. He emphasized HGTV's pivotal role: "HGTV has always been my biggest champion. They celebrated me being gay when I didn’t even celebrate it myself." This support began immediately after his Design Star victory, when his first network assignment was hosting a party for the LGBTQ+ magazine Out, signaling to him: "Please, be yourself. We love you for who you are and never want you to hide yourself."
Bromstad's openness extended beyond the screen. Having come out to his family and friends at age 22, he entered television already comfortable with his identity as a gay man. In a 2017 interview with Room Fu, he clarified his self-view: "I'm David Bromstad... I'm a designer and an artist and I just happen to like boys. It's not the other way around." He described his persona as "teetering on this little ledge of fabulousness that people seem to really enjoy," rejecting stereotypes while embracing his unique style.
Over nearly 20 years, Bromstad has become a fixture in home design television, with My Lottery Dream Home premiering in 2015 and continuing to draw audiences. His visibility marked key moments for LGBTQ+ representation; in 2015, he made HGTV history as the first star included in Out magazine's Out100 list. Bromstad has also participated in HGTV Pride celebrations, joining other network talents to highlight queer contributions to the industry.
Not all moments were without controversy. In 2013, Bromstad hosted a Salvation Army redesign event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, drawing criticism due to the organization's past stances on LGBTQ+ issues. He responded by advocating for dialogue: hoping to "build a bridge between the feuding sides." Personally, his nearly decade-long relationship with Jeffrey Glasko, met in 2004, ended in 2015 amid a dismissed lawsuit alleging contract breaches and other claims, which Bromstad denied.
In his latest reflections, Bromstad ties his personal growth to his professional path. The upcoming special addresses his struggles with substance abuse, childhood trauma, and mental health, crediting HGTV's encouragement of authenticity—even when "it isn’t pretty." "Now I am approaching my 20th year and being able to represent my community has been one of my biggest honors in my life," he said, noting he is "no actor" and presents his true self on screen.
Bromstad's story underscores progress in media inclusivity. As one of the few openly gay hosts in home improvement TV during the mid-2000s, his persistence has paved the way for greater queer visibility. Today, at 50, the Minnesota native continues to thrive, blending design expertise with advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals in entertainment. His journey from Design Star contestant to enduring star exemplifies resilience and the power of authentic representation.
