It’s an impressive, although not extraordinary (in the original “extra ordinary” sense of the word) to see the Hollywood career path of Zachary Quinto evolve from a Tori Spelling gay sidekick to a Star Trek star. And now to New York theater, where Quinto will help lead a Broadway revival of Tony Kushner’s Angels In America, a story as much about HIV and being gay as it is about morality and loss. But in profiling that trajectory, the New York Times does something extraordinary: it treats talk of Quinto’s sexuality as proper fare to cover.
The Times‘ David Rooney writes,
While Mr. Quinto accepts the occasional fan ambush as part of the movie and television stardom package, he chooses to keep his distance from what he regards as mindless celebrity-gossip culture. “I’m grateful that celebrity or notoriety wasn’t thrust upon me when I was in my 20s, because I think I would have buckled under the weight of it, as so many people do,” he said. “But I’ve come to realize through experience that ultimately I really do have a lot of power in terms of the way I relate to the public or to people outside of my intimate circle of friends and family. Boundaries are very important to me.”
Despite Mr. Quinto’s efforts to keep his private life private, the blogosphere is rife with speculation about his sexuality, no doubt fueled by his support for gay rights and organizations like the Trevor Project. He prefers not to feed that rumor mill with either substantiation or dismissal. He speaks passionately about gay marriage, about “don’t ask, don’t tell” and about the recent wave of gay bullying and suicides.
“The fact that these things are such hot-button issues right now, socially and politically, I would much rather talk about that than talk about who I sleep with,” Mr. Quinto said. “I would love to be a voice in this maelstrom of chaos and obsessive celebrity infatuation that says, ‘Let’s talk about something that matters,’ ” he added.
What’s interesting here is not Quinto purposefully — and artfully — dodging talk of his sexuality, which is less of an “unconfirmed rumor” than it is an unacknowledged truth, but the largest circulation newspaper in the country explicitly addressing (and then shying away from) rumors about a celebrity’s sexuality.
Some might say this is the equivalent of outing. And it almost would be, were Quinto’s sexuality not the open whisper-of-a-secret that it is. He makes no real effort to hide being gay, beyond simply not stating one way or another whether he is. And that alone appears to have given the Times‘ reporters and editors the freedom to engage in what is generally the territory of The National Enquirer. Then again, the paper is merely reporting on the speculation that exists (an objective observation) rather than making a statement about the actor’s sexuality (a speculative leap). But that’s basically the definition of gay baiting, were it any other celebrity.
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suppletunes
They did gay bait him, and he was classy in his answer.
Oh and btw Quinto is bi-sexual.
declanto
And in retrospect, we may now reassess the furor here on Queerty about whether Anderson Cooper should come out or not. Here is a clear example of an ideal, wherein the subject person needs not address the issue of his sexuality per se, but proves its irrelevance by addressing the true issues. Bravo, Quinto!
jeff r
Zachary Quinto’s philanthropic efforts on behalf of The Trevor Project and other LGBT charities are commendable regardless of whether or not he is Straight, Gay or Bi.
His recent “It Gets Better” video, however, begs the question: It gets better – one can become successful, rich and famous and the only bullying that one will encounter is to be professionally bullied to remain in the closet if one’s either gay or bi?!? That’s BS! There are a number of actors who have the the balls to come out and forge ahead professionally: Matthew Montgomery, Luke MacFarlane, Jonathan Groff, Cheyenne Jackson, et al. Countless out actors who have filmed “It Gets Better” videos. There are courageous out athletes: Matthew Mitcham, et al., out comediennes: Ellen, Wanda Sykes, and countless out male and female servicemen fighting DADT.
Quinto’s answer wasn’t “classy,” it was cowardly. It implies that being gay/bi is something to be ashamed of or hidden. Especially when viewed in the context of his recent “It Gets Better” video.
The allegations are out there and he has not addressed the same. If he were straight, I cannot imagine why he wouldn’t acknowledge the same. Actors are not discriminated against in Hollywood for being straight. If he’s gay or bi – and I think that you’re probably mistaken, Suppletunes, it’s allegedly an open secret in the Industry that he’s gay, just like it was with Ricky Martin, Clay Aiken or even Matthew Bomer, amongst many others – it’s his decision as to whether or not he wants to out himself as gay/bi, if, in fact he’s not straight, since it involves his private life. I cannot help but feel, however, that he’s doing a disservice to those youths that he targeted in his “It Gets Better” video. I view it as a slap in the face to those in the community who have the courage to lead out lives while they fight for the equality issues that he ostensibly espouses. He’s not going to be fired from the “Star Trek” franchise for being gay or bi so he does have some future professional security. His inroads into Broadway are definitely going to provide additional future career options. Let’s be real: Who is more deserving of our respect? A Jonathan Groff or an ambiguous ally?
If he wants to keep his private life private and not disclose his orientation, fine, he can continue to give lots of financial support to the causes that he espouses and supports. By publicly supporting the same, however, as a celebrity/public figure, whose sexual orientation is the subject of speculation, he should be aware that the alleged rumors about his orientation are bound to continually surface and that questions are going to be asked. He and his handlers are well aware of the rumors – it’s called show BUSINESS – so maintain a low profile to protect your privacy, Mr. Quinto, if it’s that important to you and don’t bother to attend various public LGBT events. Just send a big check because your failure to address said rumors contributes to the impression that being gay/bi is wrong, something to be ashamed of and/or something to be hidden. I assume that that is not the message that you wanted to convey in your video. No one is asking you to become a spokesperson for the LGBT community.
In comparison to the touching videos of countless other actors – all of whom are out – I found his BS video to be offensive. It’s time to either shit or get off the pot, Mr. Quinto. Really, It Gets Better?!? You want to encourage LGBT youth to fight the good fight, blah,blah,blah, but there are all of these rumors that surround your private life and you’re not going to address the same because “who I sleep with isn’t important?!?” A lot of these kids are getting bashed, bullied, driven to despair and suicide because of who they want to sleep with. Do you really think that a simple, succinct admission that you’re gay/bi wouldn’t have a profound effect on these kids?!? Get real. Watch the videos of the various Broadway actors, those of Jake Shears, Chris Salvatore, et al. Grow some balls or just slink back into the closet and just send a check to the causes that you support. Your silence is deafening. Enough with the BS!
Jeff R
seanboy
Simply saying your gay doesn’t mean you have to reveal who you are sleeping with. Why do closet cases always use that as an excuse? I know Derek Jeter is straight and so is George Clooney but I have no idea who they are sleeping with.
AJ
I liked his answer. He’s clearly thoughtful, and not “closeted” in the purest, stereotypical sense.
But how many people really know he’s gay? I think Queerty readers often think stuff is common knowledge when it’s not. I thought a class on gay media at an Ivy League school and was surprised one of my straight female students, a ‘White Collar’ fan, didn’t know Matt Bomer is gay — like Quinto, it’s an “unacknowledged truth.” For all intents and purposes, Quinto is still known as straight to most of America, which serves his ‘Star Trek’ career well. He’s still having it both ways.
And yea I agree, being gay isn’t about who you’re sleeping with. It’s an acknowledgment of social affiliation.
McMike
@seanboy: And exactly how do you you know Jeter and Clooney are straight? Sorry, but I’d place any bet George Clooney is more gay than straight and I’d go even further to say Jeter has taken it up the hershey highway more than a few times recently.
It’s obnoxious you think you have some great insight into someone’s sexuality, especially a male celebrity’s when being gay is still the biggest taboo around. Lemme guess, you’re probably one of those types who were saying the same thing about Rock Hudson and Montgomery Clift when those actors were at their apex of fame.
btw, it’s bullshite the NY Times did this. If someone is not anti-gay then if they want to keep their sexuality private then no one has any business outing them.
Ealan
Well I liked his answer. It’s clear that he values his boundaries more than the celebrity, and he’s mature enough not to feed into what is (to date) nothing more than gossip. And he’s not going to be forced, shamed, pushed or bullied into sharing anything about himself that he doesn’t want to. Will that turn some ppl off (as evidenced in the comments above)? Oh yeah. Does he seem to give a crap? Umm, no. And you know what? The world will keep turning. If he’s a mo, he’ll come out when he’s ready, not when we’re ready.
As far as the NYT goes, that was an interesting way to broach the question, without having to ask directly. I’d hate to see it become a habit, but I wonder- would ppl still feel like it was BS, if Quinto had answered the question?
Mark
Maybe he’s gay. Maybe he’s straight. Maybe he’s bi.
It’s his own business.
His lovelife should be treated in the same manner as all celebrity’s lovelives, however.
If he is dating a guy, then it should be treated in the same way as Brad and Angelina’s relationship.
To report on his lovelife is not ‘outing’ him. It’s simply being as intrusive as ALL celebrity reporting is.
I don’t approve of double standards.
:)
If he’s straight, he would have said so. I don’t know any straight people that would refuse to answer. Being straight is nothing to be ashamed of and they aren’t. People that prefer not to disclose their sexuality are at least bi.
John (CA)
@Mark: Celebrities themselves are the beneficiaries of a double standard.
When politicians try to cleverly avoid the issue of their sexual orientation, the LGBT community usually recoils with rage, strong denunciations, and accusations of hypocrisy. When a Hollywood celebrity does it, however, then it suddenly becomes acceptable and even desirable. There is an eagerness to defend – and trust the word of – an actor more than that of a politician. Even though there’s no reason to presume one profession is any less self-serving than the other.
tjr101
His sexuality like everyone else’s is no one’s business. Quinto doesn’t owe the gay community or anyone else an explanation. Whether straight people reveal their sexual orientation or not is a moot point because it’s a personal decision. He is doing good deeds his way and living his life according to his rules.
Rob
Mr. Quinto or any other star’s sexual orientation is no one’s business but their own. They owe us nothing more than a great performance in their chosen field. Quinto, Bomer, Foster and several others choose to live their lives openly, not denying their orietation, however keeping their lives private. Bravo – nothing worse than a self serving star who announces to the world his or her orientation (or parading surogate children) as if we should all care what goes on behind their bedroom doors. Those that feel it is required for a star to jump on a soap box and ‘officially’ out themselves usually seem to have fallen into the trap that so many gays, some of my good friends inlcuded, of allowing their orientation to become who they are, not biologically what they are. That is a narrow trap to fall in indeed.
Dutch-Frank
None of us would want to be judged by our sexuality at our jobs, or so I assume. We may or may not be out there, but at the end of the day our colleagues and bosses are not likely to be part of our inner social circle. They should judge us for how well we do our job.
Perhaps it’s different if your job involves being a celebrity, but should it really be? There are plenty of straight celebrities who don’t show up in the tabloids with their private lives every week, just take someone like Shakira vs. Britney Spears for example. It seems a matter of how you want to play it.
Also, Quinto didn’t say that he isn’t gay so there would be no lie involved. He tried to make it into a non-issue and considering the other charitable things he does for the gay cause, I guess that should weigh a lot more. In the end, our being gay and his potentially being gay doesn’t give us rule over him.
ricky
Hey John (CA), you correctly stated, “Quinto doesn’t owe the gay community or anyone else an explanation.” To bad the gays in power at news outlets do not agree. They’ve been far to preoccupied on celeb-outing these past 20 years. If you’re under the age of 35 you don’t really care about anyone’s orientation since the 90’started the “Don’t knock it until you try it” mentality. The bigotry and hate spewing from the left is done by those old gays in power who didn’t get the memo that the majority of mainstream young people (under 40) do not care about it. This is the domain of in-fighting for those who seek to change the mind of the elderly and those raised in the 1950’s. It’s sad the left loves to attack anyone who doesn’t fit the one and only way to be gay and look at the world. That’s sure being tolerant isn’t it?
Lefty
The crazy rantings of a right-wing lunatic there.
jason
I am sick and tired of any play or movie which connects AIDS to the homosexual male orientation. This is fuel to the Right and the Left. They use this connection to demonize us.
It’s also completely wrong to connect the two. The homosexual orientation has nothing to do with HIV and AIDS. Sexually transmitted illnesses do not discriminate on the basis of gender or gender combination.
If you’re going to be promiscuous and open yourself up to an increased risk of catching something, by all means call it what it is: promiscuity. Stop making it a gay issue. Gay has nothing to do with it. Stop hiding behind “gay” in order to cover up your promiscuity.
Lefty
@jason:
“I am sick and tired of any play or movie which connects AIDS to the homosexual male orientation. This is fuel to the Right and the Left. They use this connection to demonize us.
It’s also completely wrong to connect the two. The homosexual orientation has nothing to do with HIV and AIDS. Sexually transmitted illnesses do not discriminate on the basis of gender or gender combination.”
Angels in America is a play which is set in New York in the mid’80s and it centres around gay characters. Of course it deals with HIV/AIDS. Like Angels in America, most of the movies/plays that “connects AIDS to the homosexual male orientation” were written by gay man and mainly in the ’80s/’90s. The reasons for this should be obvious to anyone. I’m sure there are still works being written/made that are about gay men with HIV/AIDS, but I can’t remember the last time I saw a recent one.
“If you’re going to be promiscuous and open yourself up to an increased risk of catching something, by all means call it what it is: promiscuity. Stop making it a gay issue. Gay has nothing to do with it. Stop hiding behind “gay” in order to cover up your promiscuity.”
Not sure what this is aimed at. It’s a separate point.
I’m always suspicious of the word “promiscuity” – that word really is something which is used against gays. It’s a loaded term, I think; and mostly used in a judgemental way.
Anyway, it’s a mott point. It isn’t promiscuity that leads to STDs, it is rather unprotected sex – whether one is promiscuous or not it doesnt really matter.
Anyway, like it or not HIV and AIDS is part of our history and Angels in America is a very good play.
Lefty
@McMike: ”
Sorry, but I’d place any bet George Clooney is more gay than straight”
So true.
Rob
@ricky: You are a sage!
jason
Promiscuity does not refer to gays at all. It’s an orientation-neutral term. Promiscuity doesn’t know whether you’re gay, straight or bi.
I simply pointed out that if one is promiscuous, one opens oneself up to an increased risk of catching a host of venereal illnesses. It’s a simple mathematical calculation.
AIDS didn’t find the gays. Rather, the gays found AIDS. Important difference.
Moral of the story: if you engage in immune system-weakening behaviors (late nights, general drug use, poor diet, amyl nitrate abuse, gonorrhea acquisition etc), you cannot escape the consequences of your behaviors.
The gays found AIDS because their social scene was built around sexual and lifestyle excesses based on the “anything goes” notion. The human body said “hey, wait a minute – you can’t do this to me”.
Lefty
@jason:
Promiscuity does not refer to gays at all. It’s an orientation-neutral term. Promiscuity doesn’t know whether you’re gay, straight or bi.”
No one said it did.
“I simply pointed out that if one is promiscuous, one opens oneself up to an increased risk of catching a host of venereal illnesses. It’s a simple mathematical calculation.”
Not really. Someone who isn’t “promiscuous” but who doesn’t use protection is opening oneself up to an increased risk of catching STDs.
It’s important that people don’t let their judgmentalism blind them from the real issue which is using precautions and making sure sexual activity is as safe as possible, regardless of the amount of sex one has.
“AIDS didn’t find the gays. Rather, the gays found AIDS. Important difference.”
Well, now you’re doing exactly what you claimed to hate. Making a judgmental link specifically between gays and AIDS.
AIDS spread as it did amid the gay community because most didn’t protect themselves against it. It was an unknown quantity at first, don’t forget. Again, lack of protective measures and safe sex were to blame here, not “promiscuity”. As much as anti-gay groups tried to claim that it was/is.
“Moral of the story: if you engage in immune system-weakening behaviors (late nights, general drug use, poor diet, amyl nitrate abuse, gonorrhea acquisition etc), you cannot escape the consequences of your behaviors.”
Moral of the story is: use protection and play safe.
“The gays found AIDS because their social scene was built around sexual and lifestyle excesses based on the “anything goes” notion. The human body said “hey, wait a minute – you can’t do this to me”.
Well, AIDS didn’t come from the human body. It wasn’t a moral judgment on “lifestyle excesses” – it’s a virus. And it spreads if you sleep with someone who has it without using protection; regardless of the amount of sex you’ve had before.
Cam
“””And in retrospect, we may now reassess the furor here on Queerty about whether Anderson Cooper should come out or not. Here is a clear example of an ideal, wherein the subject person needs not address the issue of his sexuality per se, but proves its irrelevance by addressing the true issues. Bravo, Quinto!”””
____________________
Bravo? I’m sorry, but I’m so bored with the B.S. excuse of all closet cases who try to hide the fact of who they are by saying they don’t want to discuss “Who they are sleeping with”.
Unless you only define yourself as gay when you are in bed with somebody, that is a B.S. excuse.
Kids are being attacked, Murdered, and committing suicide because they are brave enough to come out and show the world who they are. Calling somebody “Classy” because in true Hollywood style they remain closeted is no different than the people who tried to say that Carrie Prejean wasn’t a bigot because she said “No Offence” before she said she was against gay marraige.
The wording and the packaging make no difference. I like Quinto, and wish him well on his career. But somebody who ias passionate about gay causes still being afraid to come out because of hollywood homophobia is not something to tout as a triumph.
Cam
@ricky: said..
“The bigotry and hate spewing from the left is done by those old gays in power who didn’t get the memo that the majority of mainstream young people (under 40) do not care about it. This is the domain of in-fighting for those who seek to change the mind of the elderly and those raised in the 1950’s. It’s sad the left loves to attack anyone who doesn’t fit the one and only way to be gay and look at the world. That’s sure being tolerant isn’t it?”
_________________________
No, what is sad is that somebody who claims to be tolerant treats being called “Gay” as an attack. If being gay isn’t a problem, then there is no reason to hide it. You are using the same sour grapes outdated burned out old 70’s arguments that gay dinosaurs used to use against marriage rights. “Gee, we don’t want to be like straights ANYWAY”. Ugh, stop reading outdated textbooks.
Craig
Live and let live.It’s his own business.Meddling in other’s affairs kind of points to lack of one’s own life.
Cam
@Craig: said..
“Live and let live.It’s his own business.Meddling in other’s affairs kind of points to lack of one’s own life.”
___________-
Yeah, that damned Martin Luthor King….meddling in all those other people’s lives.
Hey, just a question to all the little interns and low level staffers from the celeb publicist offices that post on here whenever there is a topic like this….could you at least rotate your arguments once in a while?
ousslander
I am glad no one on here ever reads star, us or people when they do stories about the love lives of other celebrities, especially when they didn’t cooperate with the writers.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with a paper or magazine asking about his love life, they do it to all celebrities. To say they shouldn’t ask him because he’s gay,is to say there is something wrong with being gay and that it should be hidden.
max
I liked his answer as someone who wants no part of the idea that we should force young gay men who are not part of and don’t want to be part of the ‘all I am is gay and nothing more and I must be gay your way’ crowd. Which is the real reason young gay men are killing themselves. There is no actor out there who will have an affect on lives of these kids it is lie been used for years and failed badly the more actors come out and then disappear or are made into jokes the more kids who are gay get the message you can only be gay if you are a joke in LA. If the force them out or bully them to death crowd cared about gay rights and they don’t, they would care more about forcing out people who actually can help, such as doctors lawyers who these young kids see in the real world and would admire more than some actor or they would force out the pols who process to hate gays in public but in private are gay none of them are ever outed how odd, the message of forced outing of actors is done for one reason the idiotic bitterness of a small amount of gay men who are obsessed with Hollywood and resent anyone not gay their way.
Lefty
@max: said
“I liked his answer as someone who wants no part of the idea that we should force young gay men who are not part of and don’t want to be part of the ‘all I am is gay and nothing more and I must be gay your way’ crowd. Which is the real reason young gay men are killing themselves.”
Sorry, but how do you know that that’s “the real reason young people are killing themselves”?
Your argument seems to consist of: celebrities who are out are made fun of by homophobes – therefore stay in the closet.
Which is odd, to say the least.
Cam
@max: “”I liked his answer as someone who wants no part of the idea that we should force young gay men who are not part of and don’t want to be part of the ‘all I am is gay and nothing more and I must be gay your way’ crowd. ”
___________________
So lets see, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, by discussing their relationship have now, according to you said “All we are is straight and nothing more and we must be your way, crowd”
Is that what you’re really saying?
Wow, you Hollywood publicist interns REALLY need to think these comments through a bit more before you sign on.
How homophobic of you to suggest that because Ellen DeGenerous is “Out” that she is somehow LESS free than when she was closeted.
The ONLY people that are locked into a B.S. classification are your beloved Hollywood closet cases.
Ty
@Cam: hahahah – comparing us or what spews here on queerty to MLK – hahahaha…MLK was all about living your life on your own terms. Some of the bitter queerty geezers who spew all day could learn a lesson.
GeoffNYC
Ah, the gang is all here filling up qeerty advertizing coffers and using one of queerty’s favorite targets/tactics to whip the old queens into a frenzy on something that matters none. What queerty should really do to drum up web hits and ad revenue is somehow assemble together, in one photo – labeled as follows – Zach Quinto(Hot), Cheyenne Jackson(Hotter), and Matt Bomer(Hottest) with an indignant headline. The internet might melt down that day. These pompous rants are hysterical – truly!
Cam
@Ty: said…
“@Cam: hahahah – comparing us or what spews here on queerty to MLK – hahahaha…MLK was all about living your life on your own terms. Some of the bitter queerty geezers who spew all day could learn a lesson.
_________________________________
Sorry, but the sad tired, burned out retread defenses of the closet being spewed out on here by the phony “Young Gays” who are really just hollywood interns in disguise (Yes, the fact that your screenames have never been seen in here before is kind of a giveaway.”
The comment I was referencing said that somebody asking somebody to out themselves etc… was “Meddling in others lives”.
By that logic, then by asking blacks to stand up for their rights, or women to fight for the vote, etc… Martin Luthor King and Susan B Anthony were just “Meddling in other people’s lives”.
I’m happy for you that you have bought into your own discrimination so completely that you feel comfortable attacking people fighting for gay rights. But that doesn’t make you all any less pathetic sell outs than you are.
Pretend to laugh all you want, but frankly, you’re just sad.
jeff r
I think that a lot of ZQ’s defenders (for want of a better term) are missing the point. His private life is his alone and he has the right to decide how much information, if any, that he wants to disseminate regarding the same. He is, alas, a celebrity and a successful actor with some public recognition. His management has actively promoted him in the media – countless photo shoots and fashion editorials, etc. Just like Matthew Bomer. It’s a conscious decision to build and market a brand. One of the negative aspects of such a decision is an increased public interest in his personal life and an invasion of his right to privacy.
One doesn’t have to be a member of the LGBT community to support the issues that he’s passionate about. All support should be welcomed. The issue of hypocrisy arises when he actively engages in public support of said passionate issues. Especially his “It Gets Better” video. ZQ and his management are well aware of the speculation regarding his orientation. James Franco has had a field day with the issue of his sexual orientation although he has a girl friend and recently announced that he is straight. ZQ’s remark about not discussing who he sleeps with is self serving and hypocritical. Luke MacFarlane outed himself as a member of our community but refuses to discuss his private life. Enough said.
ZQ made a video. He appeals to the LGBT youth demographic that the campaign is targeting. Some of those youths are savvy enough to realize that there is speculation about his sexual orientation. If he is gay or bi, the message that he is sending to said youth is wrong because he obviously is not comfortable enough to be out and so it begs the point as to whether or not it really gets better. If it does get better, why isn’t he out? If he’s gay or bi, that’s the wrong message to be sending. If he’s straight and was harassed or bullied for being a drama geek or whatever, just say that. If not, just contribute financial support to The Trevor Project. Pay for other videos made by out actors and entertainers. Tell the interviewer that he’s a straight supporter of said issues because it’s the right thing to do. If he’s not straight, he’s sending out the wrong message and the interviewer was remiss in not questioning him as to why he is so passionate about the same.
Ty
@Cam: I’m actually a queerty regular but seldom if ever post. I read it for info/amusement. I am on queerty enough to realize that you are one of the qeerty top 3 who spends the day here. And FYI – I am not one of your villanous (sp?) hollywood interns but a corporate non-show biz professional. But if it makes you feel better to think that you and the regulars own the site and all of those who disagree with your narrow views are in the biz, then go for it, but the would be really sad.
mikey
@suppletunes: i think he’s bisexual too! But damn, Sylar, is gorgeous. I’d like to see him and Milo V go at it!
Yookin
I can add your link on my blogs?
עבודה בחול
מוות
פסיכומטרי
Cam
@Ty: said..
“. But if it makes you feel better to think that you and the regulars own the site and all of those who disagree with your narrow views are in the biz, then go for it, but the would be really sad.”
__________________________________
Wow, you really are no different than the Mormons who come on here and say “You gays are narrow minded and judgemental for dissagreeing with us.”
Look, twist your logic any way you want. The main point is that Staying in the closet because of Hollywood homophobia is a sad situation and not due to greater acceptance.
The arguments put forth here are beyond idiotic. What I’m basically getting is…
“Gee, young kids don’t care if somebody is gay anymore so people shouldn’t say that they are gay because it’s nobody else’s business.”
Oh yeah, greater acceptance means we should go BACK in the closet?
So by all your logic, now that there is less sexism than there was in the 1950’s women should all dress androgenously and not tell anybody that they are women because it’s nobody’s business?
How sad you all are. So desperate to defend whatever celeb you love that you are actually saying that gays SHOULD do the equivilent of a black person “Passing” as white.
Marcus
Just so I’m clear, the reason this even came up is because of his gay activist work, correct?
Am I the only one who’s a bit worried that a self-proclaimed gay activist won’t say he’s gay(bi) and he likens commenting on that simple fact equal to discussing his sex life?
And some of you actually agree with this ridiculous assertion?
We are in big trouble.
Mal Tempo
So, the upshot is that anyone who supports gay issues is likely in the closet. What a sad and sorry conclusion.
thedarkchariot
@jeff r:
Exactly.
One can be out and open without being a paparazzi whore. If he is indeed truly gay, he should come out and show people (including the LGBT youth) that you can be gay and successful.
By dodging the question – even if he were straight – he is “closeting” himself and sending a negative message to the gay community.
Ealan
“Just so I’m clear, the reason this even came up is because of his gay activist work, correct?”
Actually, it’s been coming up constantly ever since he started working on Heroes. But at the time, I think we were pretty busy trying to shame Matt Bomer, Sean Hayes and that guy from Prison Break into coming out so we put Quinto on the backburner for a while.
Here’s a novel thought (if the guy’s even gay at all since I haven’t seen or heard an iota of proof, just some random gossip). Maybe he’s not ready to come out. Maybe he doesn’t feel comfortable with himself. Maybe he equates coming out with having to talk about who he’s sleeping with. Maybe he has his own issues to work though before he can be of any use to the community. Maybe he needs a role model.
So as a community, are we just going to keep taking these catty swipes at him over the internet. Or are we going to be the role models that we keep expecting every celebrity to be? Hmm…
Hale
Matt and Zack would do better to maintain the brilliant courses they are on towards leading man and actions roles. Glee roles, ensemble casts, award show hosting, and playing gay characters are a little beneath their talent and looks level and that is what would befall them if they get on that gay PR I’m out and proud soapbox, sad byt true, like it or not!
Marcus
@Ealan:
So he’s not ready to come out and say he’s gay, but he’s more than ready to be a activist fighting for gay rights?
Do have that right?
If you listen closely, you can hear Harvey Milk turning over in his grave.
frequent reader
Straight actors have made “It Gets Better” videos too. Are you guys (Cam, Jeff R.) trying to imply that straight actors are sending the wrong message with their videos, or have no right to even make those videos, because “straight people are the ones that bully gays in the first place, and how could straight people possibly know what it’s like anyway?”
Get serious. The point is that “it gets better” because gay youths can find a network of support – close friends, family, etc – and because not everyone in the world is mean and because being gay doesn’t have to be all that you are. I don’t believe that a celebrity’s sexuality should have any bearing on whether or not they should take part in the “It Gets Better” movement or any other similar projects.
You guys are major hypocrites for trying to basically bully him into and chastising him for not coming out, if he’s even gay or bisexual. There are straight kids every day who get bullied and called “gay” (and worse) by their peers based on the way they act, the way they speak or dress or the hobbies they have. Isn’t that just as cruel? Isn’t that just as hateful? Doesn’t that spread just as much intolerance?
scott ny'er
@Ealan: You forgot about Anderson Cooper. That’s another biggie on the you must be out list.
Just let people come out on their own terms, sheesh.
Cam
@frequent reader: said…
“Straight actors have made “It Gets Better” videos too. Are you guys (Cam, Jeff R.) trying to imply that straight actors are sending the wrong message with their videos, or have no right to even make those videos, because “straight people are the ones that bully gays in the first place, and how could straight people possibly know what it’s like anyway?”
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And we know that they are straight because we know that they are married, or dating, have children etc…
Matt Bomer has three children and has been with his partner for years. Stating that in response to a question like “Are you going anywhere for the holidays?” Is NOT the same thing as talking about exactly what goes on in their bedroom. That is what is so sad about the pro-closet views on here.
Being a gay “Activist” and yet being afraid to come out…hmm, what kind of message does that send?
As for them never being able to get a lead role again, funny, Neil Patric Harriss doesn’t seem to have been fired from his day job.
Jebb
@Cam – ‘As for them never being able to get a lead role again, funny, Neil Patric Harriss doesn’t seem to have been fired from his day job’
Well it depends on what roles an actor is seeking. Bomer and Quinto, as said up above somewhere are more leading man, sex appeal, actions types. NPH, although great, currently has a ‘straight’ role, but sadly will not get another. It’s just too easy to cast a straight actor for a straight role. Luckily NPH is more the musical/host/A-sexual type character actor. For the aformentioned Matt/Zack, bigger things are in store. I’d prefer them continue their current strategy, become huge and then get on the pulpit and preach!
WillBFair
Thanks you guys for the ageism, bigotry, and venom. Knowing your handles will help me in the futrue, so I don’t waste time trying to talk with you.
Cam
@Jebb: said…
“For the aformentioned Matt/Zack, bigger things are in store. I’d prefer them continue their current strategy, become huge and then get on the pulpit and preach!”
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Or do what every other closeted actor has done…nothing.
Mordecai
Of course it’s his own business. But would he coyly avoid confirming or denying what many suspect if he were straight? It’s like he’s telling these kids “it gets better if you keep your mouth shut, like me”.
d. Michael Lang
I thought he was gay before I knew he was activist and way before I knew about his role as a gay character in notorious. He has that vibe and I don’t care. He is a good actor and has long as he does a good job in whatever role he gets than it should not matter to the rest of us.