Celebrities who come out of the closet

[stacia]

In the wake of the media frenzy surrounding N'Sync's Lance Bass, who came out this week, just a question for you all: do you think it's important (or necessary) for celebs to come out?

I was watching "Entertainment Tonight," and they asked actress Scarlett Johanssen what she thought about Lance coming out. She said, "well, I don't really think it's necessary to announce things, but if he's happy, then good for him. He's a sweetie." I mean, I think it's important for every gay person to come out when they are ready, and it must be 100 times harder to be famous and in the closet. I think that when celebs come out, it may help people who are struggling with their sexuality. But, I don't like how the media (both straight and gay) tends to make out celebrities a "poster child" for the community.

Also, I find it interesting that some celebs get more coverage than others. When hottie Kristanna Loken (best known as the female cyborg in "Terminator 3") came out a few months ago, not much was said. Well, I guess after the published photos of her and 1. Pink and 2. Michelle Rodriguez came out, people already knew about her digging girls.

I know a lot of straight people who say, "why do gay people have to come out in the first place?" For me, the answer is simple: if you don't tell people about this part of yourself, you're denying them the opportunity to fully know you as a person. I've been in the closet, and it's a very dark and lonely place--it sucks, in fact. Having to pretend you're not with someone, having to have a male friend to act as your b/f (I never did that), or having to refer to your female partner as "she" or "they." No one should have to live like this. Fortunately, I came out when I was young, and have no problem telling people now if they ask me.

One more thing; I've always been very irritated by how some people can handle lesbians, but have sheer hatred and disdain for gay males. What's the difference?! I was telling someone at work that my brother and his partner of 16 years wanted to adopt, and he had a look or horror and disgust on his face. He said, "well, I don't think that gay guys should have children." In the SAME breath, he had the NERVE to say to me, "but, I think you'd be an awesome mom, Stacia. You need to find a girl who wants lots of kids!" It took everything in me not to slap that boy.

I'd like to hear others' thoughts about this.

[CrazyCop]

In the wake of the media frenzy surrounding N'Sync's Lance Bass, who came out this week, just a question for you all: do you think it's important (or necessary) for celebs to come out?...... Nope

I don't really give a flying......

what you do in your life, is your life.

[Razor]

Hey Babe;

Two comments.

1) I don't pay much attention to celebrities so I wouldn't have even known about Lance Bass if you hadn't told me.

2) Gay or straight, in or out it makes no difference to me. I don't categorize people on the basis of race, religion or their sexual orientation. It's the quality of person’s character that matters to me not their race, religion or sexual orientation.

That said I have to admire Lance Bass, or anyone else for that matter, who has the courage to come out... God bless them.

[ange_r]

I was sad when I heard that Lance was gay; I had a huge crush on him when I was younger. I guess I should've known; all the guys I have an initial attraction to are gay.

As for celebrities and coming out... I don't think it really matters. There's no need to announce it, but they also shouldn't have to hide it. I don't know; I guess it's different in Hollywood because people assume they're straight, so they feel the need to announce it.

[stacia]

As for celebrities and coming out... I don't think it really matters. There's no need to announce it, but they also shouldn't have to hide it. I don't know; I guess it's different in Hollywood because people assume they're straight, so they feel the need to announce it.

I hear, ya, Ange. That's the thing; if we lived in a perfect world, gay celebs could be who they are without having to make any sort of announcement. However, we don't live in this world; there was a lot of speculation in the media with Lance and his boyfriend, model Reichen Lemkuhl(who is well-known in the gay community). They were seen at a gay club together, and the media just went nuts, so there is talk that Lance was kind of forced out of the closet, which is an awful thing to have happen. We don't live in a world where Lance and Reichen can go to a gay bar and nothing be said about it.

Another media frenzy ensued after Portia DiRossi was photographed with her former g/f (before leaving her for Ellen DeGeneres). These photos were all over the net and the mags, but Portia quietly ignored the press. I still don't think she ever made an "announcement," but she has said in interviews that she is a lesbian. I also think that it's "bigger news" if a guy comes out.

[Grant]

If someone, be it a celeb or regular person, feels ready to announce to their friends, relatives and loved ones that they're gay and they feel comfortable in doing so, then they should do it.

But if they've been forced by someone to 'come out', then that's a different story altogether.

[stacia]

If someone, be it a celeb or regular person, feels ready to announce to their friends, relatives and loved ones that they're gay and they feel comfortable in doing so, then they should do it.

But if they've been forced by someone to 'come out', then that's a different story altogether.

I agree, Grantisha. Being forced out of the closet (especially if you're not ready, or haven't dealt with your sexuality) has to be horrible. It sucks that the press is so brutal and relentless sometimes.

[A.J. Angel]

I guess people are used to see ladies together rather then men together just because of the porn stuff they see. When you look into a mag, you're likely to see two ladies together rather than two men doing it as well as on movies or T.V. that's why lesbian celebrities tend to be less publicize than gay celebrities. Personnally, I have nothing against lesbians neither gays. So to the question if celebrities should come out or not... it depends on themselves and their own judgement as well as situation. But I think it's best for them to come out so that their respective communities can shine a bit in a positive way specially when the celebrity in question is a role-model.

[Trish]

I honestly have never understood this whole 'coming out' process. You are who you are, why must there be an explanation for who you are? Actually, I've never understood huge announcements to people you don't even know. The media is quit tricky, isn't it?

On the one hand, as soon as you're famous, they slap this title of "rolemodel" on you, yet when you try to be you, they tear you down and call you a bad influence. I'm confused then. They give you a title and the way you earned it was because people recognize your name and face? Not for the deeds you've done? Interesting! All about the money much?

On the other hand, there are many celebrities who have taken their celebrity rolemodel status and used it to promote various charaties by actually getting their hands "dirty" (habitat for humanity, world wild life fund, natural disaster recovery, etc). On the basis of sexuality, it should be no different. Young people especially can look upon a celebrity knowing they risk everything to come out, and say, well if they can do it, why not me? But again, Hollywood is not the real world. As an entertainer, you're an investment and as the saying goes, "'bad' publicity is good publicity", because we all know, money is being made off their name. It is still a risk, but they still get paid and they still live the 'Hollywood' life. In the real world, anyone coming out pays a bigger price, because these are the people who really know us and we thought accepted us for who we are, it's devastating when your world is ripped from you. I'm not saying celebrities aren't people with real emotions, but they make and live their lives behind a permanant mask (usually of pain, but they learned to be good at wearing that mask - and the cold truth is, they get paid to wear it).

We on the other hand can't just do what they do. The media paints a picture and society decides to follow it. Or is it that society paints the picture and media capitalizes on it? So for some, the people close to us (family and friends) who choose to live inside the box can make it a very painful position to be in. More people are accepting of it, but there is still such a long way to go. Celebrity can definately make or break you. People not in the entertainment industry coming out will see one side of the media praising the courage of a celebrity, yet wonder why it's difficult to find acceptance from people closest to them and not in the business. So then they either try to live the Hollywood lifestyle in within their own lives or flock to Hollywood and suddenly spiral into a whole different world.

So, I suppose it depends really. Some people might find it courageous and other people might find it a death sentence. Either way, everyone needs to find the strength within, we all need to not just learn, but to live tolerance. Someone's sexuality doesn't define who they are as a person. Everything about each and every one of us, is important in making us who we are. Sure, our patience and strength gets tested more times than any of us care to count, but learning about each other, helps you learn about yourself. Society just needs to realize there shouldn't be a monetary price for being human.

T. *who steps off the soapbox now*