For those of us avid Gerald Levert fans, we know all about his classic R&B hits, his late brother and Levert group member, Sean Levert, and his iconic father, Eddie Levert. It wasn’t until recently that we’ve been getting to know tidbits of info about Gerald’s children. Out of his three kids, his 28 year old daughter, Carlysia Levert, has been the most open, regarding her personal life. Today she identifies as a pan-sexual, but the self-described “daddy’s girl” recently revealed EXCLUSIVELY to I LOVE OLD SCHOOL MUSIC, exactly what happened after she came out as a lesbian to her Mother, Carlene, and her Grandpops/O’Jays singer, Eddie Levert.

Gerald Levert Warned Daughter About Her Sexuality At Young Age

Carlysia Levert laughed when reminiscing to ILOSM, about the warning her Pops told her as a child: “Don’t turn gay,” Gerald would randomly tell her. He’d obviously realized his daughter -a self-described “tomboy”- was a lesbian before she even truly realized it.

After Gerald Passed, There Were Only 2 People Carlysia Was Nervous To Come Out To

Carlysia tells us she was only concerned with the opinions of her Grandpa Eddie Levert (left), and mom, Carlene (2nd from left in above pic), regarding coming out. She says she cherishes their opinions and is extremely close to them both.

But Before She Was Ready, She Was Outed And Her Reality Hit Her Like A Ton Of Bricks

“My Mom Took It Really Hard”
Carlysia told her Mom she was a lesbian at age 17 and says, “My mom took it really hard” in the beginning. Then her Grandpops, Eddie, found out and it unraveled from there.

Carlysia Levert Details What Transpired Before & After She Came Out To Family
It All Started When Her Mom Confronted Her About Being A Lesbian. Carlysia says she was stunned, when seemingly outta the blue, her Mom straight up asked her, “Are you gay?”

Gerald’s Daughter Gave A Carefully Thought Out Response To Her Mom. Not wanting to hurt her Mom, Carlysia told a half-truth. “Maybe it’s just a phase,” she replied to Moms, even though she knew she loved women and it was no phase at all. Mama Carlene struggled to come to terms with her daughter’s reality and that hurt Carlysia.

By Then, Carlysia Admitted Doing Things Behind Her Mom and Grandpops Backs

She Was Living Out Loud & Proud Without Family Knowing
By 17, Gerald’s daughter was a Spelman college student, living freely as a lesbian, without her fam’s knowledge. She was posting photos of herself with her then girlfriend online, because she was tired of hiding…yet not ready to tell her Mom, nor Grandpops.

Then Someone She Least Expected Ratted Her Out
Carlysia says her Aunt (mom’s sister) came across her lesbian social media pics and ratted her out to her Mother. Though Carlysia chuckles about that now, at that time it was no laughing matter.

Grandpapa, Eddie Levert, Was Not Happy Whatsoev’

Carlysia soon learned that Grandpa Eddie did NOT approve and she thinks it was because of his religious views.

However, Eddie never told Carlysia how he felt directly, but he did make it known to her Mom. According to Carlysia, Eddie repeatedly went off about her sexuality privately to Carlene, as he attempted to gain understanding of his grandbabies reality.

Carlysia says she was always the apple of her Grandpop’s eye and thinks that’s why he never told her directly how disappointed he was after she came out. However, he would go OFF about it to her Mother, who’d then tell her, probably hoping that would somehow change Carlysia’s sexuality.

Gerald’s Son Then Stepped In To Help: ‘My Brother Bridged The Gap’

Eddie Levert is also very close to Gerald’s son, LeMicah. So Carlysia says her big bro’ stepped in to start convincing Grandpops over time, that Carlysia was still the same good hearted person and that nothing changed simply because she’s a lesbian.

Are Eddie Levert & Her Mom Okay With Carlysia’s Sexuality Today?

Fast forward to a couple of serious lesbian relationships later – Carlysia says Eddie and Mom now see that love is love and have no problem with who she is today. Her Mom even helped mend Carlysia’s broken heart, after her last breakup with her longterm girlfriend.

How Carlysia Lever Thinks Gerald Levert Would Feel About Her Sexuality Today

‘He’d Be Mad At First, But…’
Carlysia believes that if her dad, Gerald Levert, were still alive, ‘he’d be mad at first,’ after finding out she was a lesbian. But, she knows he would get over it and continue to love her unconditionally.

Be sure to follow Carlysia on Instagram @carlysialevert and on Facebook @CarlysiaLevert