Should Gay Celebrities Be Outed?
Saturday November 18, 2006
Is it our right to out celebrities? Celeb gossip is big business, but how far are we willing to dig into people's private lives to disclose their sexuality? And I must ask, for what reason and to what end? Coming out is an intensely personal (and often traumatic) time in the lives of most same-gender-loving people. The glamour, lights and wealth surrounding famous people may make them seem a bit inhumane, but they aren’t exempt from the perils you and I have felt, feel, or have yet to feel coming out.Hollywood can produce as many gay-theme films as it wants, but it has yet to prove it is gay-friendly. Neither has the recording industry-- which still has no problem putting the word ‘faggot’ on wax. In other words, outing celebrities may be just as career-killing as outing everyday gay people, not to mention the impact it has on their personal lives. Are we willing to violate any glbt person's private space for an “I told you so” that will fade faster than when it hit the wire?
Being gay isn't a choice, but disclosing ones sexuality sure is. And the power of that choice--fame or none--should never lay with the keystrokes or camera angles of intrusive gossip slingers. One Gay Life forum reader talks about outing:
"I have been more than disturbed at the number of people being outed in popular American life. This is for lack of a better word, horrible. Granted there are people who fight against a progressive agenda yet live their lives in the closet and it is understandable that these people are outed. Yet, there are many who do not oppose any progressive agenda and are outed. This is not fair to them, and the people who out them take no responsibility for this person’s life. They take no responsibility on the family relationships it might destroy. They take no responsibility for the shame and hurt this may cause this person. Lastly, doing so robs a closeted person of something we Americans hold very dear, the very option to out themselves when and if they choose. Some gay people live in the closet and die in the closet and that is their choice for the simple fact that their lives are affected by it. Believe it or not some gay people do not identify with gay culture and outing them may actually drive them into a lonely state. All I am saying is that most gay people came out under their own free will and were not outed which means we should afford those in popular American life the same right. We should not preach equality for all people and civil rights for all people if we hypocritically deny it to others." (read entire thread)Gay celebrity gossip has been on the supermarket aisle stands for as long as I can remember, but the internet has accelerated the spread of gay rumors. Celebrity gossiper Perez Hilton, who’s blog boasts itself as “the source for Hollywood gossip, juicy celebrity rumors, celeb scandals, and the latest celebrity gossip,” is said to be responsible for the rumor campaign that led to the outing of Grey’s Anatomy star T.R. Knight and Neil Patrick Harris, among others. But is unsubstantiated gossip enough to do any real damage? Glennda Testone, senior director of media programs for GLAAD, thinks so. "When it comes to some of these Web sites that thrive on celebrity gossip, the rumor is often all that's needed." GLAAD entertainment media director Damon Romine continues, "[coming out] ideally happens when celebrities make the decision not out of fear or intimidation but because they want the fuller, richer life that that openness provides.
So what’s the problem with outing gay men, celebrity or otherwise? Coming out is a personal choice. Seeing a gay person live openly (especially celebrities) may help some gay, bi, or transgender people come out of the closet. However, disclosing people's private lives without their consent can drive them and other same-gender-loving people further in the closet. No person wants to be the heart of gossip-- on E! or by the coffee machine. Lives are being changed at the expense of ratings, sales, page views or laughs- negating the impact of what being gay really means and the emotional journey that is shortened at the hands of those that, ironically, won't be there to pick up the pieces.
Coming Out on Your Terms:
Coming Out Step-by-Step
Ways you Shouldn't Come Out
Dealing With Family Rejection
Out Gay Celebrities:
Gay Celebrity Profiles
The Top Gay Celebrities
Famous Lesbians
Image © David Schauer.
Comments
Should we out celebrities? I believe when a person is ready to come out, then that is their time to do so. It is no one else’s business to do it for them. Coming out is a very personal matter. Whether they are a star or not is irrelavent. I would not have appreciated it if someone outed me. I did it when I was ready. Leave people’s personal lives alone. Thank you.
I think perhaps we should not out them. I mean sure I would love to hear price harry, william or even Harry potter were gay. However if it were true, in part, it would take away some of the fun of not really knowing rather they were or not. I mean think about it. You find out, YES they are gay or IMHO even worse no they are not gay. Well what good does it do you because little job me over here will never have the chance to meet them. Dunno just a thought.
!MJJ
I tend to work from a results-oriented framework. In other words, how does outing celebrities help?
It does not make straight people any more acccepting of gays when they discover someone they thought was straight has been lying or hiding their “gayness”.
It doesn’t encourage other gays to feel good about themselves knowing that others can’t wait to tell their secret. It also robs an individual of the time they need to process what “gay” means to them.
My goodness it is wonderful to fine someone who understands the danger of outing someone to soon. I am a married for 33 years Hetro-sexual. But I worked in the Public School System for years. And I observed the terrible pain that LGBT, kids were put though. Many of them with no support from family or friends ended up dropping out of school. Their were a few that with support and strength of convictions made it though. But why is it anyones business as long as they are not hurting you. I know a great author who has had a 52 year relationship with her partner. How many quote normal marriages last that long? That is commitment I don’t care who you are.
These gay attack journalists who have made it their personal mission to reveal the true sexual orientation of Hollywood celebreties is just plain wrong. Anyone that toys with someone else’s life for their own agenda should get what’s coming to them. Clearly, livelihoods are at stake. Eventually, it will come down to someone taking his or her life as a result of being outed before this destructive practice stops.
Whine. Whine. Whine.
Everyone should be outed.
The reason gay people are discriminated is because not enough of us are out. People FEAR what they don’t know. If you don’t know any f*gs you fear them.
If you are gay you should get your butt out of the closet now. If you are a celebrity or a leader of any sort get out now! You owe it to the young people of today to start making this world a better place for LGBT persons. Do it now.
And, yes, I am gay and out to everyone for 20+ years.
We in Australia are vry proud of our Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham. He scored the highest Olympic record in points and has always been very openlu gay. His reaction after winning with his partner and his open acknoweldegment of hos partner and his mum was beautiful. It saddens me that on some web sites the nasty homophobes are at it again.