Mitchell Gold is the openly gay Chairman and marketing genius behind Mitchell Gold Company, a furniture manufacturer with over $100 million dollars in annual sales. Mitchell Gold furniture is sold in retail outlets such as Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel. Mitchell Gold is also known for his philanthropic efforts, including his organization Faith In America, which fights religion-based bigotry.

I asked Mitchell a few questions about his family life, the one gay person he'd like to meet and how he likes his men.


Tell me about the Mitchell Gold, Bob Williams partnership prior to the 1989 launch of Mitchell Gold Co.?

We met in 1987 the week before NYC Gay Pride. We kinda started seeing each other exclusively pretty quickly. That summer we went on vacation and talked a great deal about starting a business together. Our ideas went from a clothing catalog with favorite updated classics and a year later we were talking about a vineyard.

You're hailed as the marketing guy and Bob the creative. Do you ever switch roles?

It would be more accurate to say that I take the lead in marketing and Bob takes the lead in product design. We talk to each other a great deal about the other’s area and generally have full agreement before we move forward with anything.

When did you come out?

When I was 26 years old....working at Bloomingdales.

What was your family life like?

My Jewish parents and older brother were generally wonderful, all things considered. They could never have understood the torment I was going through as a teenager with my sexuality.

We were a touch above middle class. My parents were very hugging and warm, but were very involved with their social life. We weren’t the 'Leave it to Beaver' kinda family. More like the 'Jetsons.'

Who is the one gay person in the world you'd like to meet?

The gay or lesbian high school student feeling alone and isolated and contemplating suicide. To tell them they are not alone, and that it gets better... much better.

Your furniture is described as 'comfortable, classic and affordable.' Is that how you like your men?

I definitely like men who are comfortable with themselves and others. And I would like to find one who can afford me. How about 'Comfortable, nice, and adorable... with experience.'

As a kid, did you ever imagine that your furniture would be inside the homes of almost every gay man in the country?

No, never imagined anything gay because I was scared senseless to even think about who and what I was.

If you could design your own gay pride float, what would it look like?

You would expect me to say a giant sofa or a really comfortable looking room setting, but you’ll have to wait until next year as I think we are seriously considering having one in the parade.

Are you going to sell it afterward or take it home?

Maybe auction it off with the proceeds going to a great non-profit.

In your book, Let's Get Comfortable, you list three ways to enhance one's love life. Are furniture and a comfortable living space key to a man's heart?

Of course. When you bring someone into your world if you can instantly make them comfortable they will be impressed in all the right ways.

What's the most romantic piece of furniture MG makes?

The Zondra Lounge. You can do lots of things on it.

Tell me about Faith in America, the organization you founded to fight religious-based bigotry.

We simply must band together and stop history from repeating itself. Some, not all, Christians have marginalized minorities in America in the past based on their interpretations of the Bible. They are doing the same thing today to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. The gay community has been afraid to link the history of discrimination to today’s discrimination for fear it would be disrespectful to people of color. It is not. The common link is ‘religion based bigotry.' We must get the wider American community to reject allowing individual’s religious beliefs, especially misguided ones, from becoming civil law. We have several multi faceted media campaigns running now in an effort to change the way the debate is debated. Hopefully it will become more intelligent.

Some critics may claim that Faith in America is preaching to the choir. Do you have a response?

We are preaching to everyone. The choir is a small group in this country. I’m not that dumb! We need to educate all Americans about the history of religion based bigotry which has led to discrimination causing much harm.

Take Mitchell Gold home at Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel or mitchellgold.com.