With 1.1 million Instagram followers and a sold-out comedy tour that spanned over 150 cities, Nurse Blake may seem like an unstoppable force of queer joy. But behind the viral videos, sold-out shows, and booming laughter is a story rooted in deep pain, resilience, and ultimately—transformation.
Blake Lynch, known professionally as Nurse Blake, is not just a comedian or nurse. He’s a survivor of conversion therapy, a passionate LGBTQ+ activist, and a voice for queer youth who may be struggling in silence. At 34, he’s still unpacking the trauma that began when he was forcibly outed as a teenager and pulled from school the very next day.
“It Was Never Therapy. It Was Abuse.”
Between the ages of 15 and 18, Blake was subjected to a conversion therapy program disguised as a faith-based intervention. “These programs try to change something that was never broken to begin with,” he exclusively told Gayety. “They isolate you, shame you, and try to erase the very parts of you that make you… you.”
Blake is candid about how the psychological manipulation left lasting scars. “They tell you you’re sinful, broken, disgusting—until you start to believe it,” he said. “It doesn’t make people straight. It just makes people scared. Scared to speak, to love, to live fully.”
Even today, conversion therapy remains legal in several U.S. states—a fact Blake refuses to ignore. “This isn’t just my story—it’s still happening, and it needs to stop.”
Comedy as a Lifeline
Blake’s journey toward healing wasn’t linear. But one unexpected turning point came during a panic attack after a long shift in the ICU. “I called 911 because I truly felt like I couldn’t breathe,” he recalled. “But the dispatcher said, ‘Well, you’re talking… so you can breathe.’ And in that terrifying moment, I actually laughed.”
That laugh sparked something powerful. “Humor became a tool—not just to cope, but to survive,” he said. “Now, I use that tool every day. In my comedy shows, my videos, even the darkest stuff—I bring it all to the stage. I don’t joke because it wasn’t painful. I joke because it was.”
This raw vulnerability has made his comedy deeply relatable, especially to LGBTQ+ audiences who’ve experienced similar trauma. With more than 300 million video views and his “Shock Advised” tour behind him, Blake’s next tour, But Did You Die?, kicks off in September 2025 across 68 U.S. cities.
A Message to Queer Youth: “You Are Not the Problem.”
Blake no longer has contact with his parents—a difficult but necessary boundary to protect his mental health. “Just because I don’t speak to them doesn’t mean I don’t wish them well,” he explained. “Healing sometimes means drawing boundaries, even if that means no contact.”
But in their absence, he’s found love and support in unexpected places. “My straight, cisgender little brother is one of my biggest supporters. And my grandma—she’s been there for me since day one.”
To queer youth facing rejection this Pride season, Blake’s message is clear: “You are not the problem. The way someone treats you is a reflection of them—not your value, not your heart, not your future.”
“You’re Going to Be Powerful.”
When asked what he’d say to his younger self—the closeted teen trying to survive in silence—Blake doesn’t hesitate.
“I’d say: ‘You’re not too much. You’re not broken. There’s nothing wrong with you—and there never was.’” His voice carries the weight of someone who’s done the hard work of healing. “The parts they tried to change… your sensitivity, your humor, your heart—those exact things are going to become your greatest gifts.”
He continues, “Eventually, you’ll realize you didn’t need to change—they did. And one day, you’ll look back and see that you made it through. Not because you hid who you were, but because you held onto it.”
Bringing Joy to Unexpected Places
Blake’s comedy doesn’t just sell tickets—it creates community. “No matter where I go, big city or small town, queer people show up for a space that feels safe to laugh out loud,” he said.
What’s surprised him most is just how universal that need for connection is. “Some of the loudest nights I’ve had were in places you wouldn’t expect. It’s a reminder that queer joy exists everywhere—even in places that try to dim it.”
For Blake, laughter is a form of rebellion. “Sometimes the loudest laugh is also the one that says, ‘Thank you for seeing me.’”
Pride, Protest, and Purpose
As anti-LGBTQ+ legislation continues to make headlines, Blake is clear that Pride is more than a party—it’s a protest. “This year, Pride is a fight,” he said. “A fight for ourselves, for each other, and for our community.”
He’s especially focused on protecting queer youth and trans lives. “Celebrating Pride means showing up loudly and unapologetically,” he emphasized. “It’s about honoring those who paved the way and protecting those who are most vulnerable today.”
From Nurse to National Advocate
Blake’s advocacy extends beyond the LGBTQ+ community. As the founder of Banned4Life, he played a key role in pressuring the FDA to lift the lifetime ban on gay men donating blood—a campaign he started back in 2013.
He also uses his platform to push for reform in healthcare and nursing, addressing burnout, workplace culture, and patient care—all with his signature mix of sincerity and sarcasm.
Living Out Loud
Nurse Blake’s story is one of survival, yes—but more than that, it’s one of transformation. From a teen silenced by fear to a man who commands sold-out crowds, Blake proves that queer resilience isn’t just real—it’s radiant.
“I’m still here. And I’m going to laugh anyway,” he said.
In a world that once told him to be quiet, Blake chose a microphone. And through laughter, truth, and unapologetic visibility, he’s reminding everyone—especially queer youth—that they are not alone.
