Danny Pintauro, who won hearts as the adorable son of Judith Light in the ’80s sitcom Who’s The Boss, came out publicly in 1997 and married his husband last year in a beachfront wedding, is about to share his deepest, darkest secret with Oprah Winfrey. The 39-year-old will appear on this Saturday’s episode of Oprah: Where Are They Now to discuss the epidemic of crystal meth use within the gay community and tearfully tells the host that he’s been in the scene and reveals that there are websites designed specifically to allow meth users to connect with one another.
Related: PHOTOS: Former Child Star Danny Pintauro Married His Boyfriend Today
Watch a clip from the episode below.
BigG
Definitely a huge problem in the gay community. Glad he kicked the addiction and I hope he stays clean.
bluecheck
I really wish when you post and ad for a future show, that you’d mention up front it’s an ad and I’d click on it or not as I saw fit. I was actually looking to read an article about the subject, but instead get a teaser to watch later. You’re becoming the 5 o’clock news broadcasters telling us to “See the story at 11!”
pjm1
Is meth addiction still a huge problem in the gay community?
it certainly was in the past. It still may be but i do not hear about it as much
as i used to. perhaps it is b/c i am no longer out and about (Fire Island, Roxy,
etc etc). But, is meth still the omni present destroyer it was when Junior Vasquez
spun at Twilo and there was not (ok, maybe 1 or 2) a sober person in the house?
Is there still that much destruction?
Billy Budd
I once went to bed with a sex professional and he was on meth. Ugh.
Stache99
@pjm1: Just because you changed your world doesn’t mean the world changed while you were gone. Yes. It is still a major problem and I understand that perspective since we probably did our clubbing around the same time. Each generation has to make it’s own mistakes I guess.
nolaboy
Poor thing. I guess he was pretty methed up.
pjm1
@Stache99: @Stache99: it is true that i am a bit unaware of the party world to say the least but i hoped that all of the efforts against meth and
other drug use had yielded some success.
Armiya
@bisexual transwoman
Your comment is the biggest bag of bullshit. I’ve been clean from meth for over 10 years and I know PLENTY of other people who have as much clean time as me and even more. What you said is just as shitty as if I were to tell you that as a bisexual you are a fraud in this community and that as a transgender person you will never be a real woman so why even try? Do I honestly believe that about you? No. But to say or assume gay meth user has HIV is divisive and extremely hateful especially to people who live not only in recovery but those who themselves are struggling and trying to seek a way out. Remember that the next time you want someone to understand your own personal problems and write them off as bullshit.
BigG
@Bisexual-Transwoman: you got served
Doughosier
My ex got into meth badly. He lost everything, his job, car and eventually he was homeless. He got sober a few times but always relapsed. No one knows where he is now.
Cam
It will be nice when LGBT’s are accepted enough so that every interview with somebody isn’t an indictment against the entire community.
Drugs are a big problem in the heterosexual community also, but when Oprah dies an interview with a straight former drug addict it is about them, their addiction and their life. How about Pintaro talk about that rather than blaming the wider community? Anybody who saw pictures of him a few years ago could tell he was in meth.
seaguy
@Bisexual-Transwoman: And you doubt because your some sort of expert about gay addiction issues? I didn’t think so. What business is his HIV status of yours anyway?
seaguy
@Armiya: Well said!
Robert Klingerman
Get off the cross, we need the wood!
Smashnut
Glad someone is speaking about it.I’ve been sober for 2 yrs 3months.I must say it is a problem with all these site letting it happen.shoot you can even go on tumblr and they have videos of guys “slamming/pointin”it’s very sad
Stache99
@pjm1: Back in the late 90s when I was clubbing and doing allot of stupid shit I dabbled in meth. When it hit we didn’t know the dark side of it. Just some energy to fuel the all night fun. Back then most of it was garage made crap at least. Now the stuff is allot more potent due to the Mexican Cartels flooding the market with the factory made meth.
I agree that there was a great campaign against it years ago but I don’t see the same effort these days. Lots of stuff at least on Youtube. I too find it strange that people are still doing it. I get hit up to “party” all the time still on social websites. I give them a softball lecture which of coarse I know won’t do any good because I remember my own history way too well.
Stache99
@Bisexual-Transwoman: Do you ever get tired of being a duchebag?
Stache99
@Smashnut: That’s another point. Things aren’t out on the streets like they used to be. All night parties that catered to it or there at least not as open about it. Now it’s a bit more underground and maybe a reason why the public campaign against is went away. Like with GHB the only reason people cared was because people were dropping dead in public. Something had to be done.
However, sites that cater to it are springing up all over. The drug use never went away but the culture changed a bit is all.
bicurious
Cute kid, I had no idea he was homosexual. I wish him all the best in his struggle to remain sober from crystal meth. I wish there was a way to get the word out to young gays that drugs like this will ruin your looks, and even more so can ruin your life. Thanks to Danny for doing his part to spread this important message.
onthemark
@Stache99: I still see “PNP” ads a lot. I always thought it was weird that such a “hillbilly” drug caught on so much among gays!
Cam
@bicurious:
Really? You had NO idea? Not even a clue?!?!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bji_ypcEry0
Curtispsf
Crystal Meth does not discriminate. It will take the young and it will take the old. I have seen up close how it comforts older gay men who have become invisible and feel invincible under its’ spell. I have seen younger gay men who have lost everything after getting hooked on this drug.
Have NO illusions; crystal meth is the devil incarnate and will chew you up and spit you out if you stay long enough at the party. I have seen the drug lead to several suicides. I am now sober and regret years of abuse; however, through my perspective I have come to see the joy in everyday life…little things that make life worth living. If I can impart one or two words of advice about crystal meth, it is this: Not even once. Do not use this drug. You are risking your very soul, and that which is precious. I wish this man well in his recovery. His life depends on it.
And to you, Robert Klingerman in your comment “Get off the cross, we need the wood” I pray for YOUR soul…and oh yeah, a BIG FUCK YOU!
Bisexual-Transwoman
@BigG: No I did not get served. Talk to people who are tweakers and you will find that very few people actually do quit meth and stay sober.
@Stache99: Is that how you became a jaded queen that’s poz and trolls LGBT sites like this one?
@Armiya: Meh, you’re a biphobic and transphobic bigot. No surprise there. Given how you’re full of rage that just shows that you’re not actually sober from meth; but using meth even just once or a few times damages your brain.
McShane
@Bisexual-Transwoman:
Crawl back under your bridge, foul beast.
Lvng1Tor
@Bisexual-Transwoman: you’re pretty much just an a@@…aren’t ya!
Jonathonz
@Bisexual-Transwoman: I’m giving you major side eye right now. Like, what did she just say?
Billy Budd
This Minotaur/Pintaur guy is awesome.
Jonathonz
@Cam: great scene Cam! I’m loving Judith Light’s outfit!
Armiya
@bisexual-transwoman
You have no idea as to not only my sexuality nor my gender identity. Second, please please point me exactly to where anything I said was bi-phobic and transphobic. Honestly you still seem miserable no matter what you identify as, Dan seems happy to be free. And I’m sure glad I got to meet Amanda Bynes online!! ?
Ronnyboy
@Jonathonz: Naw. I’m more into Tony Danza’s outfit. Well, those tight jeans that he wears so well anyways:)
sportsguy1983
Cry me a river.
Bisexual-Transwoman
@Armiya: No matter what your sexuality or gender you’re still biphobic and transphobic. This guy is meth free? Please if you believe that you know nothing about meth.
pjm1
@Stache99: that is an interesting observation, that is,
it is drugs are still around just behind closed doors, etc. That may be b/c the internet allows
that and there is not as much public acceptance (perhaps). Anyway, i am hopeful our community
over time can find away to get away from alcohol and drug abuse. I do think part of it generates
from escapism and some of it from opportunity.
DerekR
@Bisexual-Transwoman: And if you don’t think recovery is possible then you don’t know people….also FYI you are a stupid c unt
stranded
I don’t like these general references to the “community.” A drug scene is a drug scene, I mean i try and be social and go out and i like the Long Beach scene in Southern California, Silverlake scene, even WeHo sometimes. I don’t really see drugs being used. The internet is different. I like looking at craiglist ads for fun, and there are a lot of drug users looking for other drug users.
Geoff B
Wow.I saw an article of the methods use, but I’m watching the interview now and had no idea about his HIV status. Hope he is truly doing better and that he is happy and healthy. I know he and Judith Light were very close and she is a huge ally. I hope she’s still in his life and looking over him.
Bisexual-Transwoman
It’s obvious he’s HIV+.
@DerekR: Yes recovery is possible but the majority of people I have met who are meth addicts still do use it even if it’s once a year as relapses/slip ups do happen a lot with “recovery” from meth.