I am deeply disheartened and sorry to hear that members of the gay community have misunderstood the points I was trying to make about being ‘out.’ I attempted to shed light on how hard and scary it can be to be out. That gay families get attacked and even small daily interactions involve others being ‘shocked and disturbed’ by the gay lifestyle. I was saying if along the way in my life that had been a choice I would have made it, but it’s not who I am. Gay is not a choice. If I was ashamed of who I am, I would be in the closet. Considering my family was on the cover of People magazine, I think I’m pretty far from that.”
— Jillian Michaels explaining to People that her statement in which she said she would trade her wife for a husband was misunderstood
AtticusBennett
no, we didn’t. because those of us who’ve moved BEYOND where Ms. Michaels still is can see those comments for what they were, and are; remnants of internalized homophobia. it’s ok, Jillian. we all get through it – but we all must work to get over it if we want to enjoy life.
that means when someone asks who you partner is, you tell the truth. because you care more about the truth than lying to someone just in case they can’t handle it.
just because you’re “out” doesn’t mean you’re not ashamed. GOProud anyone? those boys hate being gay. they’re totally ashamed of being gay. they wish they weren’t gay, just as much as their shi**y republican parents wish they didn’t have gay sons.
1EqualityUSA
Maybe she got tired of sleeping on the couch?
iggy6666
Someone needs to tell Jillian she needs a lawyer when addressing personal matters. Because her own ”community” is a ruthless bunch, waiting for any error in wording to tell the world how she should feel and how to act. The fact she had to clarify things is proof. She needs to just tell people to !@#$ off and continue with their own journey of self gratification.
AtticusBennett
for clarification – just because you’re Out doesn’t mean you’re no longer ashamed of being gay.
here’s a video example of an Out gay man who is ashamed of being gay:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2R6jqMysHaA
Zekester
You can’t claim that people misunderstood you when they understood what you said just fine but you didn’t say what you meant.
1EqualityUSA
She has a michelle bachmannesque look to her. Same genetic pool?
Ottoman
It’s certainly possible that she’s just extremely in articulate. of course the fact at she referred to straight relationships as normal doesn’t bode well for her claims of self love.
teejay123
Is it not just possible that she meant (albeit not phrased brilliantly) that she would rather live a life whereby your family setup didn’t provoke disgust and contempt, than one which did?
The knee-jerk defensiveness is understandable, but really, step back, and pick your battles. Out family woman Jillian Michaels is not the enemy.
aliengod
@iggy6666: I completely agree with you.
Desert Boy
Go work out, Jillian. No one cares about you.
LadyL
You know, I don’t want to be disrespectful of her struggles or dismissive of her fears. We all have to deal with what we come from on the way to who we want to be. But come on now. 40 year old Jillian Michaels is a mega-successful businesswoman, fitness trainer and author– and a beautiful white celebrity as well. In the universe she inhabits, exactly how many haters does she and her family encounter on a day to day basis?
Yes indeed, Jillian, it can be hard and scary to be out, living in fear of being attacked, especially if you are a man living in a Muslim or African or West Indian country; or a black teenager living in a household and community ruled by fear, ignorance and the Black church; or a white teenager coping with conservative parents and the hypocrisies and restrictions of a Mormon/Evangelical/Catholic Church… I’m saying a little perspective is in order here.
There is intolerance in the world and she has likely been confronted by it. She probably got hate mail after that People magazine cover. But I’ll bet she also got letters of encouragement, gratitude and support too. I think the biggest obstacles to happiness and acceptance of the “gay lifestyle” are in Jillian’s own head.
enlightenone
@AtticusBennett: Thank you for continuing to, no matter the opposition, calling out and challenging those who say they are “gay/bi/”no label,” especially since so few of us have the privilege of “being on the mic” and/or get to “play”/have work they are passionate about and rewarded with more money than we will ever have in two lifetimes! And thanks for the videos of the resurrected dodo birds!
enlightenone
@LadyL: Bravo! And to add, she more than must of us has control of her public footprint and can afford a security team if necessary.
kfolger
This quote tells it all:
That gay families get attacked and even small daily interactions involve others being ‘shocked and disturbed’ by the gay lifestyle.
There is no such thing as a “gay lifestyle”. How is your lifestyle gay? Is raising children, paying bills, cooking dinner, going to work gay?
Kangol
Her comments are a perfect example of internalized homophobia and misogyny. I hope she gets some helpful counseling, pronto.
LadyL
@enlightenone: Good point. I WISH I had a security team!
LadyL
@kfolger: Precisely. I don’t know any heterosexuals who walk around referring to their “straight lifestyle” and I’ll bet she doesn’t either.
Cam
@iggy6666: said… “She needs to just tell people to !@#$ off and continue with their own journey of self gratification.”
_____________________
If she had the guts to say that to anybody she wouldn’t go around introducing her wife as her “Friend”. The fact that she is far more worried about what some sales clerk thinks of her than the feelings of the woman she has spent years and had two children with is very telling about her true feelings and frankly is pathetic.
Saint Law
@aliengod: Oh look the moron agrees with the cretin.