Dr. Phil, U.S. Psychologist & Media Personality, Accused Of Anti-Gay Discrimination

Jerry Sharrel, a former publicist of famed American talk show host Phil McGraw (aka Dr. Phil), has accused the psychologist and media personality of anti-gay discrimination. In a new lawsuit against McGraw and his North Texas start-up, Envoy Media, Sharrel has alleged he was wrongfully terminated from his position at the company because he is gay. 

Sharell alleges he was deliberately excluded from the company’s migration of operations to Texas. Describing it as a “gut punch”, Sharrel recalls being left behind as over a dozen staff members were relocated to Fort Worth.

According to The Dallas Morning News, Sharell was told in late March that he had been placed on “hiatus” for financial reasons. However, the suit alleges no other employees were eliminated during the migration and two new employees were hired, substantiating Sharell’s claim that his sexual orientation was in fact “a substantial motivating reason” behind his loss of employment.

Sharell’s lawsuit also states that, in one instance, McGraw said, “Jeez, he’s gayer than a fruit basket and not listening,” referring to Sharrell. The former publicist alleges the attack came after he failed to participate in a group discussion while responding to emails on his phone. 

Sharell also alleged observing numerous points of discrimination during his visits to company’s Fort Worth headquarters, including a pastor leaving prayer cards on his desk, and an IT employee gesturing toward a photograph of him and saying “there’s too many of THEM around here. And it’s evil.” 

Dr. Phil Denies Anti-Gay Allegations

McGraw’s lawyer, Chip Babcock, has denied that any anti-gay discrimination took place.

“Jerry Sharell was put on hiatus over the summer as is common in this industry,” said Babcock in an official statement, “especially with a media startup. He was not fired for any reason and certainly not because of his sexual orientation.

“These allegations against Envoy and Dr. Phil are made up out of whole cloth, as he has a 25 year history of treating the LGBTQ+ communities with dignity and respect, including standing up for his guests who were attacked because of their sexual preferences.” 

The lawsuit comes just two years after the Dr. Phil famously endorsed the presidential campaign of Donald Trump, who would go on to initiate a historic rollback of trans rights in the United States. In 2025, Trump appointed Dr. Phil to serve on the Religious Liberty Commission.