If you’re a slave to the media grind, you’ve probably noticed that celebrities have stopped broadcasting their homosexuality on the cover of tabloids, like Ellen DeGeneres and Lance Bass did once upon a time.
Now, the typical coming-out arc is: celebrity lives in paper-thin closet transparent enough that many think they’re officially out. Then celebrity makes casual comment at benefit or in interview (but, not, apparently at Long Beach Pride). Then the celebrity’s low-key message is blasted across the blogosphere without them looking too desperate or activist-y.
In this week’s Entertainment Weekly cover story, Mark Harris examines the new casual method gay celebrities are using to reveal their sexuality publicly for the first time.
Even if it’s accomplished in a subordinate clause or a passing reference, coming out casually is, in its way, as activist as DeGeneres’ Time cover, although few of these actors would probably choose to label themselves as such.
The current vibe for discussing one’s sexuality is almost defiantly mellow: This is part of who I am, I don’t consider it a big deal or a crisis, and if you do, that’s not my problem. It may sound like a shrug, but it shouldn’t be mistaken for indifference. By daring anyone to overreact, the newest generation of gay public figures is making a clear statement that there is a “new normal” — and it consists of being plainspoken, clear, and truthful about who you are.
We don’t know if we agree with Harris’ assement that the relative success of people like Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer and Don Lemon have “put to rest any questions about the viability of being out in showbiz.” After all, those three didn’t come out until after their careers took off and they’re still not exactly household names. But it’s a fascinating read nonetheless.
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Chris
Hire an editor! Or fire the current one so that you aren’t publishing articles that still have “TK” s in them, as in the last sentence of the second paragraph.
Yowza
Matt Bomer came out in the most elegant manner possible and is well on his way to becoming a household name. Although he provided us and future folks the best elegant coming out prototype, hard to compare his potential success with others as few have his talent and virtually no one has his looks.
Xtincta
@Yowza: Ugh Matt Bomber stans. This feels vaguely familiar to Adam Lambert when he was suppose to be *A SUPERSTAR*.
brad
Putting Andy Cohen on a gay pride cover is like putting Hitler on, well, anything! He DOES NOT represent us!
Pogo Bock
EW. What a perfect name for that rag.
James
I agree none of these people are house hold names and none are sexy leading men or women except Matt Bomer and while most know he’s can in the gay world since he didn’t make a big deal about it I know str8 women who still thinks he’s str8.
Nat
@James:
Parsons and Harris are on two shows that are far more popular than White Collar. And everyone knows about Glee, even if most don’t watch it. They may not be to your tastes, but they are household names.
Jon
@brad: Andy Cohen most definitely represents us. Why wouldn’t he, because he’s super effeminate? Are you one of those “straight acting” gays who can’t stand those who are not willing to conform like you? I think you are the one who does not represent “us”
Basch
@brad: I think he’s kind of annoying, but Andy Cohen is one of the most successful out media moguls that is is in public eye. He’s practically a household name, is very successful with what he does, and he speaks out about various gay topics on his show when there is something to be brought up. Yeah the show are trashy for the most part, but we all like that trash (and it’s not nearly as trashy as reality shows on E! and VH1). Yeah, at the end of the day I think he’s a little weird and annoying, but I think a ton of gay guys I meet are weird and annoying, but they “represent” the gay community every time they step out their front door and sashay down the street talking about bitches and lady gaga.
Alex Sarmiento
I don’t doubt that Andy Cohen is a hard-worker and quite charming. That being said, “The Fake Housewives of Wherever” is the worst thing that a gay man has created and contributed to society. The second: Marc Cherry’s “Desperate Housewives”.
Bee
@Alex Sarmiento: Don’t dog Desperate Housewives ok lol dat was a damn good show
Chris
@James: What an inane comment. On that cover are multiple Emmy winners, the star of a tv show that syndicated for a record 1.5 million per episode, an incredibly successful touring comedian, and the first openly gay programming director of a network.
How exactly do you define household name?
the other half
@Xtincta: Big difference between Matt and Adam is that Matt actually is hot and has talent and most of all has a great team behind him.
ProudDad
All these men are fabulous and represent us. Like it or not, not every gay person is trying to be straight ACTING. Many of us are proudly fem and will continue to be so. Making no apologies for it!
Mk Ultra
Jim Parsons is hot with a tan.
Brandon
Most LGBT celebrities in Hollyweird are still closeted. It’s the agents and personal assistants (many of whom are gay men) who keep them closeted.
Zachary Quinto’s handlers did not want him to come out but he did anyway.
Franco
Wow, there’s a lot of judgmental comments about this. I think coming out is very personal and people choose a method that they are comfortable with. There’s no right way for every single person. Kudos for anyone who does.
Steve-ATL
All these men are great, succesful and not worrying about how to pay any bills. Matt Bomer I’d say is one of the least famous of the bunch, if we’re going to be honest. Andy makes me laugh and Chris Colfer is such a strong, brave, charming young boy. Parsons is exceptionally talented and my entire family…even in Texas, goes crazy for Niel Patrick Harris. COME OUT OF THE CLOSET and stop living in shame!
CarolCollins
Its a shame that the gay community is just as judgemental as the straight. Who’s hot? Who’s not? How should someone come out? Taste in men, and women, is such an individual thing. To some, Angelina Jolie is the height of sexy, while to others the less sophisticated Katy Perry does it for them. Why do we always have to show such disrespect to those who do not agree with our views? It’s very disheartening.
Carlton W
To say any one person is a representative of a whole community is the most lame and brain dead statement I think I have read. Andy Cohen represents Andy Cohen. NPH represents NPH. Does the straight community have a representative? If so who? Lame, stupid, idiotic comments. Why is it ok for men to be individuals in the straight community but in the gay community they have to behave in some scripted manner. To say one person is hot and not another is another form of stupidity. It’s in the eye of the beholder. Lame. Talk to the hand.