According Shayanna Jenkins-Hernandez, 27-year-old Hernandez didn’t have a same-sex loving bone in his body.
“I had no indication or any feeling that he was [gay],” Jenkins-Hernandez insisted. “He was very much a man to me. I don’t know where this came from.”
She continued, “It’s embarrassing, in a sense. It’s hurtful. Regardless if it was true or not, it’s just not something that I saw. It’s not something I believe, and it’s not him.”
Very much a man? Embarrassing? Talk about subtle homophobia. We’ll give her a pass this once, though, considering everything that she’s been through.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Related: Ex-NFL star Aaron Hernandez reportedly left a suicide note for his gay prison lover
Hernandez was convicted in the 2013 murder of Odin Lloyd. After he was found hanging in his prison cell last month, it was purported he left behind three suicide notes: one to his daughter, one to his fiancee, and one to his jailhouse lover, Kyle Kennedy, to whom he also gifted a $50,000 watch.
But Jenkins-Hernandez says those reports simply aren’t true.
When asked about rumors that Hernandez committed suicide because he couldn’t accept his sexual orientation, Jenkins-Hernandez said that sort of thing wasn’t in his character.
“It doesn’t sound like Aaron. Aaron never, never necessarily ran from a situation. We’re in 2017. There’s so many people that are coming out, that feel comfortable in their skin. I didn’t see him as being uncomfortable.”
And when asked about Kyle Kennedy, Jenkins-Hernandez said she’d never heard of him before Aaron’s suicide.
“I don’t know who this Kyle Kennedy is,” she said. “Aaron never mentioned him.”
Related: Aaron Hernandez’s jailhouse lover identified
She added that rumors Hernandez left Kennedy a left and a $50,000 watch were all a “crock of bull.”
After the episode aired, Kennedy released the following statement:
I want to be clear that at no time have I seen a note addressed to me from my close friend Aaron Hernandez but I have reason to believe it was in fact intended for me. It was the press that first reported that this letter was sent to me and as a result, my attorney, Larry Army Jr., has repeatedly requested a copy for us to review. The story about who this letter was sent to has changed several times but based upon the close relationship that I had with Aaron, it is highly likely that it was in fact intended for me. I again renew my request to have the letter released to my attorney so we can put this issue to rest.
Here’s hoping everyone involved in this tragedy can one day find peace.
Richard 55
If Aaron hid from his fiancee the fact that he had murdered someone, why wouldn’t he hide from her the idea that he enjoyed the sexual company of men at times? It’s easily done.
The problem with women is that they want to own a man’s sexuality. They get a gender-power kick out of it. If her man shows any sign of same-sex attraction – no matter how small – he’s “gay” and must be divorced or given the flick.
This is why I think gay identity politics has enabled the homophobic attitudes of women toward male bisexuality..
Sluggo2007
The problem with women is that they want to own every facet of a man’s being. The minute they get a man, the object is to emasculate him and change everything about him to suit themselves and to impress their girlfriends. Then they wonder why, when the guy finally gets a clue as to what is going on, they leave.
Donston
Like we don’t know Sluggo is another variation of Brian/Richard…
DistingueTraces
Whoever this woman was, Brian, I really think she was the love of your life. You should swallow your pride and call her before you both get any older.
Donston
It was like this was posted purely as a gift to Brian/Richard.
Can we officially move on from this topic? No one has anything to say. And as I’ve quite a few times before, having a “prison lover” adds no insight into who this man was whatsoever.
Captain Obvious
Never watched Dr. Phil before but I did watch this interview and was slightly rooting for her up until she said he wasn’t gay because he was all man.
Girl, bye. Funny how she doesn’t believe anything he did or she did to be true. She better go shut her mouth somewhere before she gets investigated for hiding evidence.
There are enough photos of Hernandez hanging out with his obviously gay “assistant” looking entirely too happy to be so in denial about it. Do people normally put “assistant”s in the hot seat for questioning about the personal life of a man they only worked for?
Doesn’t take a lot of detective work here. Even the court knew he had close relationships with these men. How didn’t she?
Donston
If he did indeed have legit relationships with men prior to prison she likely knew. Only maybe 1/4 of the time are women truly naive on that front, especially if it was with his assistant. This isn’t only about defending his rep (someone who likely killed multiple people, btw). It’s also about defending her rep. If I’m being honest she comes off a lil… butch in this interview. And we all know that type of male-female relationship isn’t unusual.
But until we get some real info from real sources this remains a non-story.
Neonegro
The so called doctor asked the question in a homophoblc way “was he secretely gay” as if his relationship and child with her had no value.
Ever heard of bisexuality,
Richard 55
Exactly.
Donston
Richard, you don’t even believe in bisexuality, but okay.
It was indeed a terrible way to word such the question, an incredibly accusatory way that could only illicit a defensive response. First, only Aaron could authentically answer for his sexual orientation. Asking her whether they discussed his sexuality or rather she knew of him having same-sex relationships would have been more appropriate.
ChrisK
“I had no indication or any feeling that he was [gay],” Jenkins-Hernandez insisted. “He was very much a man to me.”
I believe the first part. No way he would ever tell her. She’d make his life hell if he ever came out to her.
Richard 55
I agree.
Women look at male bisexuality and see a threat.
Men look at female bisexuality and see a fantasy. That’s why a lot of women fake their bisexuality.
Donston
Considering she was likely keeping a lot of his secrets, and still is, and likely helped cover up his murders, it’s a stretch to assume she didn’t know what was going on if there was something going on. They never flat-out asked if he had relationships with men. They asked if he was gay. And whether he was or not, to her he was a “real man” and therefore could not be gay.
Considering he apparently took trips with his assistant and that other people in his circle may have known there was something up she likely had more than a clue. I know a woman who married a man that she knew was a child molester. I know a woman who married a man she knew was gay. Perfectly normal seeming women who just wanted to take care of someone and wanted to feel taken care of. These women know what’s going on a great majority of the time.
ryanta
not only was Aaron Hernandez a “tightend” he was also a wide receiver….get a hint “fiancee” – the fact that he hid this prison “friend” from her, speaks volumes towards the fact that he was his jailhouse BF. If I were in prison and had a best friend looking after me – i’d assure my loved ones that I am fine and have supportive friends that have my back. Back in college, I dated a girl, after sex she confessed that she had been with other women. She said “only a woman knows how to make another woman feel like a real woman…” Same goes for men…get over it clueless fiance.
IDoNotHaveToAgreeWithYou
Why are you fools so desperate for some ghetto rat thug murderer to be gay? There’s no proof he was and he sure as hell isn’t the type we should want to be grouped in with us.
Donston
He was a masculine NFL player. That’s the only reason they care. Despite their not being any real evidence (though I’m leaning towards probably) and despite him being bat-shit cray.
Kenney G
Yes Indeed, Were not claiming that, He was Bisexual not Gay
Kieran
Society has long tried to shame masculine gay men into remaining closeted by linking homosexuality with effeminacy and unmanliness. Today more than ever with the continual linkage of transgenderism with the gay community. And then we wonder why so few gay athletes choose to come out.
Paco
Gay men are just as guilty of putting rigid masculinity up on a pedestal and shaming other gay men for not living up to that expectation.
Donston
Masculinity is a prized possession in society and it is indeed treated like found gold among many, if not most, gay men. In a way masculinity can be a burden and if you have it continuously living up to it is definitely a burden. But it’s also easier to disguise yourself. No one tells masculine men they have to stay closeted. They choose to do so. And because they haven’t been called a “faag” their whole lives many just refuse to deal with the emasculating nature of “gay”. But I’m feeling sorry for the ones who carry that burden. At a certain point you have to trust who you know you are and embrace it. Not doing so is your own call.
GayEGO
Well, my husband is a butch and I am in between a butch and a queen so big deal.
Aaron’s finance is more concerned about him committing suicide because if he did, she won’t get that big insurance policy check!
GayEGO
Whoops! I meant fiancee not finance! :>)
Me2
Suicide is really not a factor here because the big pay out will come from the NFL, not an insurance policy. Since he died in the middle of the appeals process the court will vacate all charges. In which case, the NFL may have to pay out the remaining money on his contract to his family.
Me2
Homosexuality has always been seen as an emasculating identity by a good portion of society. My guess it that, like most people, she’s never educated herself on the truth because she’s never had to.
BriBri
He’s dead, that’s all that’s important. No longer a tax drain.
Kenney G
She’s just trying to save face, She knew her man wasn’t gay he was Queer or bisexual,
It was all about the money for her, They probably use to play dress up together , She latched on to a football player and saw dollar signs, she wasn’t gonna leave him, He would’ve had to kill her , to get rid of her