Jillian Michaels
By Guest Writer, WWG
This past week, three different celebrities – Jillian Michaels, Anne Burrell and Jim Parsons – came out. Or, more so, they acknowledged what was already highly speculated upon – that they are gay. It used to be HUGE news if even one celebrity hinted at bisexuality, and now three, albeit not super famous, but still well known names came out. I purposely read the comments below the articles, which as anyone who has read the commentary below a celebrity article knows can make you weep for the intelligence and sanity of humanity. It is something to do at your own risk, for certain. So, as I read Jillian’s news on People, Anne Burrell in Page Six, and that of Jim Parsons, the thing that both shocked and pleased me most were how many people said something along the lines of “who cares about their sexuality?” Sure, there were a few making disparaging and rather cliché negative comments, but the overall majority was not only cool with it, but supportive, congratulatory, and annoyed that the disclosure of one’s sexuality was even worth an article. Even better, the responses to the negative commentators was along the lines of “you’re a moron, go away.’ Yay!
Anne Burell
Have we really come that far? As a teenager, I remember that whenever some female celebrity in the public eye would come out, my thoughts were along the lines of “awesome, now I can have a chance!” Nevermind that most of them were 20 to 30 years older, I wasn’t attracted to them, and I highly doubt they’d be interested in my little teenaged suburban self (and thank god). The overall idea and dream behind it was – I too can have that. I too can dream of that possibility. Don’t get me wrong, Leonardo DiCaprio was quite pretty and a good supplement for a bit! But as all my friends drooled over whatever heartthrob was on the cover of the teenage mags – even though I wasn’t ready to be out to myself let alone anyone else – the connection, the recognition of “that’s my people” was there whenever a lesbian celebrity came out. I too could dream of my Princess Charming Movie Star/Rock Star/Sports Star to sweep me off my feet (and out of my boring classes).
Jim Parsons
Celebrity has power in that it is an easy connector and a common talking point amongst strangers and friends. Each of these people has been in the homes of people in every part of the country – blue states, red states, and something in between. Yes, they each appeal to a very different sector of the population, but that’s the point – queer exists everywhere. And if you don’t know someone on the queer spectrum in your daily life, you do at least know (and likely “care about”) one who is on your TV and there during your leisure time for you. Don’t get me wrong, celebrity in and of itself or what a celebrity does or doesn’t do doesn’t define how I act or respond to life. I hope what a celebrity does doesn’t decide your life choices either.
But the freedoms granted those who are most under a microscope, who need to appeal to the broadest audience to make their living, is most definitely reflective of the society we live in. Many years ago Liberace sued a newspaper for stating he was a homosexual – and won. LIBERACE!! In the past, they didn’t have the freedom to be themselves in terms of their sexuality – openly. Sure, things went on behind closed doors as they always do with humanity (and still do). But nowadays, publicists are galvanizing media to plan a mass coming out (Chely Wright)! Being gay is no longer the full on career ruiner that it used to be.
And now, whenever I hear of a celebrity coming out, my inner teenage self has the same reaction – I too can have that. I too can dream of that possibility.
This just confirms that I live under a rock, because this was the first I’d heard the “official news” about Anne Burell! Timely and great post, WWG. : D I agree, it’s really inspiring to see how much of a minority the haters are these days. It seems like younger generations are moving more and more towards just plain not caring about people’s sexuality one way or another. Let’s hope that trend continues!
In other news, so happy for Jillian and her adorable family!
I was equally as excited seeing society be so much more accepting or even not caring, love! Do you remember not too long ago when Ricky Martin officially came out, and how much commotion that caused… Well it wasn’t too long ago so in a short time period, society has come a long way
feels great, and WWG I loved ur words “I too can have that, I too can dream of that possibility”
I’m out with a few family members and all my friends, but until I’m fully out, I can’t be myself “/
So I’m waiting for the one day where I either don’t give a shit anymore, or no one cares…:)
People like Jillian inspire me!
Word. I watch the cooking shows, so I already know Cat Cora (Iron Chef) is gay and I love Anne Burrell (her personality is awesome), so this just adds icing on the cake! Question though, when, where did Anne Burrell come out to?
Seeing the change in public opinion is great. It seems like a great and sudden shift. I don’t remember what the theory is called, but something about critical mass – when a certain percentage of people reach a certain mindset, the old falls quickly like a house of cards. I think that’s what we’re seeing here (I hope)!
When I was a freshman in high school, one of our female gym teachers was fired. She was obviously gay, but apparently somebody accused her of watching the girls change in the locker room, which was total B.S. They just didn’t like that she was a lesbian. Hopefully those days are over.
So with you on that. I love when they come out…but to be honest, I even love when they’re ‘outed.’ Like when Portia de Rossi had to explain why pictures surfaced of her making out with a girl (Ringo Star’s hot daughter, actually) in an alley. That. is. awesome.
Anyway – I always silently cheer when it happens…now for John Travolta, George Clooney and others….lol…whoever they may be…
If I hear of a celeb coming out I’m straight on the internet to find out details. Like now for example, it’s half one in the morning over in British Land and I’m still up reading about Jim Parsons.It’s so good when celebrities come out. Really liked this post
Best Article Ever!
I love that the concensus was, … why does it matter if they are gay? I find myself asking this a lot.. why does sexuality matter? Straight or Gay? Does that impede someone’s ability to perform? Nope. Not one bit.
And Cassie- I still don’t understand why Ricky Martin caused a commotion when he came out, dude was soo obviously gay it hurt!
I like this post WWG! Especially where you said “even though I wasn’t ready to be out to myself let alone anyone else – the connection, the recognition of “that’s my people” was there whenever a lesbian celebrity came out.” *very happy smile*
Thank you both. You know what’s amazing? How many people ring as obviously queer to us that actually surprise people. Apparently there were people surprised when Ellen, Ricky and Rosie came out. Really?? No wait, REALLY??!?! It’s amazing how much people are really not aware of gay people, or just so far in denial about us.
I just reread Rubyfruit Jungle and loved how ballsy (ovary-y?) Molly was, but it was a reminder of how bad it really once was to be female and ambitious, let along female, gay and ambitious. I’d love to say that’s changed totally, but it hasn’t. It’s much better though obviously. You’re right Kenda with this: “when a certain percentage of people reach a certain mindset, the old falls quickly like a house of cards. I think that’s what we’re seeing here (I hope)!”
I love that NPH (that’s Neil Patrick Harris) plays a womanizer. The grand assumption was always that a gay person could not be seen as a heterosexual heartthrob, but a straight person can play a gay person no problem (ex: Tom Hanks in Philadelphia). The irony of course is that MANY have been doing it for YEARS! I mean really, Rock Hudson played a het leading man, but he was gay gay gay. Gays and lesbians have been pretending and acting like we’re straight (both in daily life and on the silver screen) much longer than any heterosexual has played gay. As if we can’t play hetero heartthrobs! Sheesh. I’m hoping that with NPH playing a womanizer and Amber Heard playing against men etc etc that the strict assumptions of above will slowly recede. When that happens, people will be more comfortable coming out because they won’t be worried that loving Susie in real life means they can’t love George on screen.
I think this is interesting. Some of you may know that a hip hop artist (yes, people in HIP HOP are starting to come out!!) by the name of Frank Ocean just came out. One of the supportive tweets of him said this: “Respect to Frank Ocean. In a culture that is so afraid of gay, he has transcended sexuality by artistry.”
Finally, artistry trumps sexuality!
Frank Ocean coming out eclipsed Anderson Cooper’s public coming out press release. I have been happily following the blog coverage, and just ignoring the comments- granted most were positive.
Megan Rapinoe as well.
Has it Elegy? I wasn’t aware of that! Wow. I loved both Anderson’s and Frank’s letters of coming out. I like that they were each able to speak for themselves, in their own voices, and to do it somewhat subtly (um, not on the cover of People mag) but it still made an impact. So many times in the past, others spoke for those coming out, either by forcing them out of the closet or through interviewing them. I like this.
Let’s be real, there are a LOT of people in hip hop who are in the glass closet *cough*QL&MCL&DB&ME&more*cough* and probably quite a few in the journalism world who are as well (although with Rachel Maddow, Don Lemon and Jane Velez-Mitchell all out, this is less so.
I wasn’t aware of Megan Rapinoe, but now that I am, I’ll be paying attention. She’s cute!!
Oh, I meant that as an opinion, not a fact. See: http://necolebitchie.com/2012/07/05/a-thank-you-letter-to-frank-ocean-penned-by-dream-hampton/#more-206348
There is just a lot more inherent risk to him, due to his background and position in life, his position as a new(er) artist.
That letter was absolutely beautiful, and so astute. It compiled all the various aspects of his coming out and what it means, both against a historical background in hip hop and American (African American, gay American) culture. Thank you for pointing it out.
It’s true – it’s extraordinarily brave of him to come out, as a newer artist and in the genre he works in. It is still sad that one has to use the word “brave” when it comes to coming out, but it is true. I think what Chuck Creekmur says is true
- there won’t be a sudden wave of hip hop artists coming out, but maybe in a few years, there will be. At the least, there’s support of him and his career. And that? That’s a HUGE step.
I think the risk to Anderson is less a financial one, but in terms of his safety when he is in countries that are hostile to Americans in general, and hostile to gays definitely. As well, he risks losing interviews with the conservative types, which would be a shame for all of us. Regardless of your politics (and I lean very left), it’s always worthwhile – to the public, to the country, to the world – to have an impartial journalist question and interview people on both sides of the coin. He is one of our best.
Awhile ago, I ended up at an event with and talking to a notable and openly gay male actor who made it clear that Hollywood is still very uncomfortable with the gay factor. He’s a bit on the older side (but still quite young), so it’s interesting to see how that will change as time goes on.