OH SNAP — Queen Latifah and girlfriend-trainer Jeanette Jenkins enjoy some time on the French seaside aboard a yacht with Alicia Keys and new husband Swizz Beatz. (Photos: Bauer-Griffin)
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RomanHans
Queen’s not a lesbian. That’s her live-in personal trainer.
They’re hoping after another ten or twenty years of full-time care, Queen will fit into women’s swimsuits.
Cam
It’s a shame that there is enough self hatered in here that she would be ashamed to be honest about what seems to be a very long term and affectionate/loving relationship. Queen Latifa used to sing about women’s power and empowerment. Here’s hoping that she relistens to some of her old music and becomes secure as a lesbian as well.
Cam
@Cam:
“In here” supposed to be “In Her”
RR
Three lesbians and a merkin on the French seaside .
Hilarious
@Cam: If there was self-hatred in her heart then she wouldn’t have a girlfriend/partner in the first place.
She seems to be enjoying time with her lady and ignoring the cameras in plain view. What’s the problem?
All I see is a bunch of gay folks who should be on her side griping at her and demanding she become a spokesperson when she clearly doesn’t want to.
Doing what she wants is not self hatred. She seems to be enjoying herself and doesn’t need anyone’s permission or “acceptance” to do so.
CJ
I find it baffling that many people here want to tell Queen Latifah how to run her life. Each celebrity chooses how much they want the public to know about their private lives. It’s not OUR decision to decide for them. If she prefers to keep her relationship private, go for it. It’s her choice. She’s certainly not telling anyone else how to live THEIR lives.
L.
@RomanHans: Suddenly, your blog name makes sense.
Enron
Why are we making this our business? Why must she come out to please us? She is the one in the public eye, not us! Could we stop pressuring her and let her live her life of privacy and peace? Trust me, if Barack Obama came out as a gay man tomorrow, it wouldn’t make a difference for Gay rights. Its up to the intolerant persons to change their attitudes. So lets leave QL alone.
Sam
Did they bring watermelon?
RomanHans
Wow, L — you pieced that together all by yourself?
Since independent thought seems to be beyond your capabilities, I’ll spell it out here. Queen Latifah has consistently denied that she’s gay. Over and over. Then she bought a house with her personal trainer, and now she’s photographed pretty much in flagrenti delicto with the personal trainer.
Now, here’s my problem. All this denying seems to mean she’s ashamed of being gay. In fact, she’s telling her fans — 99.9% of whom are aware she’s gay — that gay people should stay in the closet.
Adding insult to insult, Ms. Latifah recently came out with a book that lectures people on how to get self-esteem: “Put on Your Crown: Life-Changing Moments on the Path to Queendom.” Making her an expert now, and an expert who wouldn’t come out of the closets if BURROS were involved. Call me crazy, but I’m thinking this allegedly strong, independent, self-made millionaire who can’t admit her sexuality shouldn’t be lecturing ANYBODY about ANYTHING.
Which resulted in my rude post. IMHO, Ms. Latifah deserves ZERO respect from the gay community, because not only has she given us zero, but she’s actually hurt us by her obvious shame at being gay.
Jay
Her life is her business like our lives are our business. It’s up to individual to decide, stars/entertainers owe us nothing but a good job onscreen/stage! So tired of the ‘self-loathing’, ‘self-hating’ statements made by the queerty regulars that do nothing all day buyt blog on other people’s lives.
Stan
@ 11 Jay – agreed.
Lanjier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUWb7Q4_uV0
scott ny'er
gotta agree that it’s her life to live as she pleases – which includes coming out when she wants to.
i’ll say this tho, she has made millions. been in movies. she has nothing to fear now. Unlike a Mr. Bower who is still on the cusp. Or like Clay Aiken was. So, she like Ricky Martin are at the best point to come out versus some time later when the public really does not care.
Well, Ricky… I guess, the public doesn’t care already. Latifah has that yummy covergirl contract and movie roles. That is what she’s fearful of losing, I think.
Fitz
It is 100% her (and her partner’s) decision to be out and proud or try for some privacy. Don’t forget that the partner (who is not a celebrity) may be far less comfortable with being in the public.
That being said, I DO think about the many queer kids of color who attempt suicide, and who may benefit from positive role models.
But Dana never signed up to be queer youth’s coming-out coach, and it’s her decision to make.
Luxury
@RomanHans: . “Queen Latifah has consistently denied that she’s gay. Over and over… All this denying seems to mean she’s ashamed of being gay..:”
—————
I don’t think she’s ever denied being Gay. She’s always said her personal life is none of your (our) business. There is a difference, and she has every right to say that.
Just because someone doesn’t release a press statement saying “Hey World, I’m Gay!!!!” Doesn’t mean they’re closeted and it doesn’t mean they hate themselves.
There are plenty of straight public figures (or perceived to be straight) who absolutely refuse to talk about their personal lives and everyone’s fine with it, but if you are gay or people think you’re gay and you don’t want to make it a topic of discussion or make it part of your schtick, then you’re a self hating closet case who’s ashamed of who you are… Interesting..
alex
Here’s how I see it: We shouldn’t out anyone unless he or she is actively working against LGBT equality.
So, politicians who vote for anti-gay legislation are fair game; actors who need to get hired are off limits.
Gem
@17 Alex – Exactly!If they are bearding or actively harming it’s fine but otherwise not.So tired of people who have no clue what show business is like setting expectations on how others should live.They throw NPH up as example when all here in h’wood know his straight role days are over inless its some Glee or generic ensemble role.It’s just too easy to cast a straight actor in a straight role when deciding between two actors – moraly wrong but simple as that – that’s the way it is.
PopSnap
If I ever get famous (snort), I would be out to close friends & family but would never slap myself with the label of “that gay guy”. I’m SO much more than that. Nobody would know I’m gay if I didn’t tell them. Heterosexuals aren’t known by ‘that straight guy”, so why should I be known by that gay one?
Queen Latifah’s personal life is HER business.
Ash
See, now they could totally be seen as just a couple of friends hugging if it weren’t for the hand on the bum. The jig is up, my friends. The jig is up.
Chapeau
::
This is a tough one. I whole heartedly without question believe in the OUTING of Politician’s – because they have the Power to affect Change and when they do not while lying about who they are … then they have to be called out for this crime against the community.
I do believe that people with Celebrity — whether that be the Hollywood kind or the Princess Diana sort — or anyone who has the ability to have people take note when they speak – especially when it is for the common good and betterment of society — should use this opportunity for all of us who will never be in the position to speak and be heard.
It is especially difficult with Queen L — because the Afrian-American community suffers from a lack of real positive role models that Live Proud and Out.
The Recent MURDER of a baby boy in NY – because he was not acting manly enough – read: GAY — he beat the pour innocent creature to DEATH.
Yep — QL owes it to the LGBT community to stand up and Live proud – there is no shame in being gay. Until everyone lives with this attitude on our own community we’ll continue to see innocent LGBT blood shed.
Republican
I’m tired of people making all kinds of excuses for actors when there are millions of gay people out there in other fields that risk not just their careers, but their lives by being who they are. Besides the threat of bodily harm in particularly bigoted areas, many of these people are taking a very real risk when they talk about their lives to their co-workers. The possibility that some bigoted supervisor or boss will fire them for being gay is quite real. But these people don’t have the option of just saying that it’s no one else’s business, because saying that doesn’t work well in a close work environment. Instead, they either have to lie or tell the truth.
And, to be honest, I am convinced that the blame for Hollywood’s anti-gay closet requirement rests not just with the big money at the top, but with the actors themselves. By staying in the closet, they are making things more difficult for themselves and for those who will eventually take their place. And I hate to say this, but they are also making it harder for some random gay kid in Podunk, USA who feels all alone and has a gun to his head trying to decide whether or not to pull the trigger.
Personally, I have no problem saying the words, “I’m gay.” If you ask me, I will tell you. I don’t wear a shirt that flashes it across the pecs, but I’m not going to play clever little word games in an attempt to deny the obvious because some idiot somewhere might retaliate in a way that hurts my pocketbook or career. That would be cowardly.
The truth is that the subject does come up indirectly in many ways throughout a normal person’s day. From chit chat at work about relationships to date night at the movies to a romantic night out at a restaurant, straight people display themselves in a way that would royally piss them off if gays did the same thing. Heck, I work in a very nerdy field in academia and even in that community I see these displays on a fairly regular basis.
But unlike some, I don’t believe in a double standard for gays. I will be every bit as open as they are. And if my openness helps one confused kid somewhere realize that it’s possible to be happy, successful, and openly gay, then every nasty comment, threat, and bit of harassment I’ve received over the years will have been worth it.
jeffree
@Republican: Please, if you want to be so “out” publish here on Qty *your* real legal name, & city of residence.
Your political party will be most appreciative & grateful, as well as your church, your employer, & community!
Thanks in advance for helping to improve the lives of your fellow LGBTs!
Dan
@Republican: Show business is not Macys or the local beauty salon or florist shop.If you are out offically, it limits you, including every out and proud actor currently, especially if you are a man.Sure they may get roles,but not leading man roles or action roles they may desire.Why should these folks sacrafice their careers and years of hard work for us?It’s not their job to be poster folks for our cause unless they so choose.
Republican
@jeffree:
Right, like I’m going to do that and have some wacko on here who has a grudge against me for some disagreement we’ve had in the past few years start to stalk me. I use an alias here for a reason and it has nothing to do with my sexual orientation.
I am completely out and have written a number of gay-positive pieces that have been published under my own name. There is literally no more out that I could be without hiring a skywriter.
Oh, and I no longer go to church, but thanks for making that assumption.
Dan
She can deny being gay, especially if she is actually bi.
Republican
@Dan:
Good point.
Ash
@Ash: Oh, come on, I get a thumbs down for that?! It was a joke! lol.
Tackle
I think Queen L should not come out until she is danm good and ready. It’s her call! And why should she come out at all for the benefit of a White LGBT community who have no problem still blaming her/Blacks for the passage of prop-8 after this was proven false nearly two yrs ago.Falsely beliving that Blacks are the most homophobic while giving a pass to White homophobia.
No Black, Asian, Latino should sacrafice their careers and yrs and yrs of hard work and their familys livelihood for a community that WILL marginalize them. @SAM is a good example of this. And MANY of the Queerty posters.
Even if she were to come out I don’t know if would be appreciated. At stonewall Drag Queens threw the first stone and they are still “marginalized” within the gay community.
Better to come out for a community that values and treats EVERYONE with decency, respect and EQUALITY.
Jeff
To all you, “Oh it’s her decision, blah blah blah”. The quote below is as pertanent today as it was when it was originally said. Perhaps you “comft closet cases” need to tak a minute and read and think about it. (And substitute John Briggs with Tony Perkins and Anita Bryant with Maggie Gallagher.)
“My name is Harvey Milk, and I want to recruit you. I want to recruit you for the fight to preserve democracy from the John Briggs and Anita Bryants who are trying to constitutionalize bigotry…
On this anniversary of Stonewall, I ask my gay sisters and brothers to make the commitment to fight. For themselves, for their freedom, for their country…Gay people, we will not win our rights by staying silently in our closets…We are coming out. We are coming out to fight the lies, the myths, the distortions. We are coming out to tell the truths about gays, for I am tired of the conspiracy of silence, so I’m going to talk about it. And I want you to talk about it. You must come “out. Come out to your parents, your relatives.
Lanjier
There was a time — not long ago — when straight people had deep respect for men in the closet, and gay people would boast that they were in the closet and didn’t disturb anyone and kept things peaceful, and nice. I heard a friend say that a closeted couple he knew would have lavish parties where one of the men would brag, “I have never had a copy of the Advocate in this house!” As if to say that he was proud he never disturbed a straight visitor.
This legacy is so apparent to me in the comments in this thread, as if her majesty should be absolutely loved, adored, admired and respected for her “personal decision.”
BUT I don’t have to respect her for being in the closet – no fucking way. Of course she can do what she wants, but no, I don’t see the closet as bland of clothes, color to paint the walls, or a favorite restaurant. She has a civil right to fear, to shame and to not rock the boat of her life. But no way does she get my respect.
I judge her. I make a judgment about her. Gay people have to start getting a little more tough. We all know the pain she goes through, it does not mean we have to respect her. We don’t have to respect her. Private, personal, and judged by me. Period.
People who glow about her privacy are really using her as a proxy for their own personal shame.
RomanHans
@Luxury: “[Queen Latifah is] often reluctant to discuss the topic in the media, but last year, she addressed rumors that she’s a lesbian. ‘They want to make up stories and make me gay all the time and it’s like, “Keep running with it,”‘ she told Essence magazine. ‘I’ve definitely been annoyed by it, but I learned a long time ago that it was pointless to say anything.'”
link here: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/2010/05/09/2010-05-09_the_reign_of_dana_how_queen_latifah_came_to_love_her_life__and_herself.html
I don’t mind celebrities refusing to talk about it. I’ll never forget David Hyde Pierce saying, “My life is an open book, but I’m not going to read it to you.” We can all decide for ourselves what’s acceptable and what isn’t. Latifah denying she’s a lesbian is totally unacceptable to me.
Anyway, nice to read an intelligent comment here!
Samwise
I’m kind of torn on this issue. If I were straight and a famous entertainer, I’d want to keep my private life private too. I’ve seen what media attention does to relationships. I’ve seen straight celebrities try in vain to keep their pairings secret for at least the first few months they’re going out. It’s unbelievably stressful to have everyone staring at you, analyzing your relationship, wondering how long you’ll last. It’s as stressful for gay and lesbian celebrities as it is for straight ones. Ever notice how gay celeb couples often break up as soon as the famous one comes out? Even ones that were together for a long time before that?
So it seems unfair to me that a gay celebrity would be seen as having a responsibility to talk about his/her private life and relationships, when we’d understand a straight celebrity’s decision not to. You don’t go into music or acting to make political statements, or to change the world. You do it because you love singing or acting (or both).
On the other hand, coming out is the most effective form of activism, especially if many people know and love you. I bet there’s a lot of black gay girls out there who look up to Queen Latifah, who have an idea in their head that lesbians are all white and butch and humorless. Seeing black, glamorous, hilarious Queen Latifah living out and proud would probably do wonders for their self-esteem.
I guess at the end of the day, it’s a good thing for a celebrity to come out, but it’s not necessarily a bad thing for them to stay in. Staying in is a neutral thing. Nothing changes, for good or for ill. I do hope Queen Latifah comes out someday, though.
Luxury
@RomanHans:
Wow.. I stand corrected.. I remember when Wendy Williams had her show on VH1, Latifah was a guest and she flat out asked her if she was a Lesbian and she didn’t deny it, she said ‘you’re not getting me on t.v. talking about this’ or something to that effect. I’m a bit surprised and disappointed by her quote in that article, assuming they were in correct context.
It’s still up to her and nobody else to decide if she keeps her private life private or when she should come out on a public stage, but I can’t deny that I’m a bit shocked by the actual quote. I’ve always heard her dodge, or refuse comment.
Thanks for providing the link… I guess… lol
WalkderDC
Oh please, to all the people saying “Waaah, she doesn’t hate her self, she is just private blah blah blah”
Somebody needs to go back and actually listen to some of her old music. It was about being strong, in your face, being yourself, not taking crap from anybody. What a hypocrite she is.
MissLaWandaIsBack
This is all so racist. Come Queen, come out of that glass house! (she don’t fit in a close chil’)
Kim
La was with a man before Jeanette, if she falls in love with another man Is she still a lesbian? Are Anne Heche, Julie Cyper, Angelina, Drew Barrymore lesbians they have had rel. with men and women. Stop with the labels
RR
@Kim: Angelina and Drew Barrymore said they are bisexual. Keep in mind that celebrities are phonies and have no problem with lying.
There is nothing wrong with having a name for sexual orientation. Stop ‘we don’t need lebels’ bullshit.
D'oh, The Magnificent
STOP WITH THE DOUBLE STANDARDS.
Her being gay is no more sacred than any other celebrity news.
And, no, I don’t believe most of you would have a problem with a report about say Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie doing something supposedly private that is made public
The double standard is what kills me about the present “gay movement” as far as it comes to being out or not. The truth is- I don’t want to treat her life as any different than being straight. That means – if she’s parading around with her girlfriend- she gets to be reported on just like any other star.
Tylertime
@Samwise:
You say if you were a straight entertainer you would want to keep your life private too. From what I read Anne Hathaway is straight and I know little about her personal life. Same for Emily Blunt, Felicity Huffman, etc. The same can’t be said for Britney, Lindsay, etc. These last 2 girls work at staying in the spotlight.
Just because you say you are gay doesn’t mean you can’t keep your personal life private. Since Ricky Martin came out I haven’t seen/heard much about who he is dating. You rarely hear about Neil Patrick Harris and his partner and as for Rupert Everett who has been out for years I never hear squat.
Queen Latifah actually draws more attention to her life by lying about it.
Miles
@Tackle: please…you’re a homophobic black person wanting to victimize black people when GAYS are the ones being victimized. I love how black people, always wanting to play victims, manipulate our civil rights situation by somehow turning it in to “woe is me”…no, it’s not. Our current president is black. Homophobia IS rampant in the black culture. Over 70% of Prop 8 supporters WERE black..stop lecturing our community and go educate the black community that the only civil rights movement is not theirs.
So sick of blacks crying over mistreatment from gays. That’s what you call a calculating twist on the truth.
Dan L.
Afrifican American celebrities will not come out because the Africian American culture is more homophobic, enough so to deter even an African American celebrity from coming out. I believe Queen Latifah should be ashamed knowing she could influence change and make an impact amongst African American gay youth by coming out but chooses to endorse African American bigotry toward gays by pleasing the over zealous AA “church crowd”
Fitz
@WalkderDC: When you are in a relationship, your old identity dies a little to make room for a new one. I also really wish she would come out. I think it would do a lot of good. But she isn’t my GF or wife. I am not saying that this obvious phony stuff is because of her spouse.. but it might be. And you know—- another piece of this: she really isn’t relevant to the kids now anyway. She did her shtick. Maybe it’s time to focus elsewhere.
L.
@RomanHans: Your post was beyond rude, it was insulting, and, in the present case, totally unwarranted.
You’re entitled to your opinion about being out or being outed and whatnot – I just think that your bile should be better directed at others, who actually harm us.
*You* have no say into how Latifah runs her life. *I* have no say. It is *her* life, not yours, not mine.
The only people who need to be out(ed) are those who actively and repeatedly hurt us. Any other person is free to live their lives as they see fit.
I am not sure I understand why she feels she needs to stay closeted, but it’s not for me to judge, and it’s not for you.
And it’s certainly not for you to post such hateful remarks about someone who never hurt you.
ADC
Both Miles and Dan L. are full of shit.
BTW, African American’s didn’t vote over 70% for the passage of Prop 8, you ignoramus. Those exit poll numbers have been long refuted. The real number for AA voting was 58%.
Either know what you’re talking about, or shut up. Neither of you added anything significant to this discussion.
Jayel
We talk about every detail of every single celebrities life…and this closet case goes on a boat and has a make out session with the person we ALL know is her girl friend and she’s off limits? I don’t think so!
Don’t want people commenting on your private life, stay out of Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Comes with the package and wont change anytime soon.
Also, if you choose to stay in the closet or not voice who you are as a person…then YES…you are not honest, forth coming or real and are essentially selling another role to the public, who aren’t buying it. Queen closet case Latifah lost her integrity a long time ago.
Kip
@46 – Blah, blah, blah. It’s her life. Nothing worse than career homosexuals on 3rd rate blogs who let being gay become ‘who’ they are instead of ‘what’ they are – they are the enemies of us all. Live your own fucking little lives and let celebrities live theirs.
Blayne
Check out pic 11. That’s one hell of a boat.
greenluv1322
@Dan L.: You obviously don’t know any black people. Queen is obviously a big ole narcissist. What you are saying is just not true. Mostly every black person I know which ranges in the hundreds “thinks” that Queen is gay. Every time she is in a black magazine she is asked about her sexuality. Matter of fact the June issue of Upscale magazine which she was on the cover asked her point black to address the “rumors.” She flat out refused saying ‘…I need my time. I need my private life.” So this whole denial is about her not the “black community” being homophobic.
Further when these very same pictures ran on predominantly very popular black blogs the responses to her gayness was OVERWHELMINGLY positive. So where do you all get your ideas from? Oh that’s right the MAIN STREAM media that also tell you that every black person lives in the projects and is on crack. Yes that media is so reliable.
D'oh, The Magnificent
@greenluv1322: Great comment.
dvlaries
I can recall several instances of Morning Goods that I only wish were as crisp and clear as this round of full-figured, middle-aged women I couldn’t care less about.
Leslye M. Huff
@Hilarious: Unfortunately, self-hate takes many forms… Shame-based behavior can be very self destructive – If Queen Latifah was light-skinned enough to pass for white, would you say that it was healthy to pretend that her chocolat brown mother was her maid (ala immitation of life)or acting like her dark skinned partner was her assistant or her children were adopted?
scott ny'er
@Blayne: OMG. You ain’t kidding. That boat is HUGE. I wasn’t going to click thru all those pages, so thanks!
WalkderDC
I love how every other celeb is asked about their realtionships, gets pictures of their boyfriends, girlfriends, wives, girlfriends whoever they are dating in the pages of US, or PEOPLE, and yet public aspects of those celebrities lives are considered private for Queen Latifa.
She bought a house with this woman, that is public. She goes out with her and on trips with her. IF Usher bought a house with some woman he would be asked about the relationship, she isn’t. Her cowardice is being protected. If a reporter asked her the exact same questions that they ask every single other celebrity she would be out. “Queen, you recently bought a house with a woman you have been close to for several years, how is that going?”
Cam
@greenluv1322:
LOL!!! Thank you for the comment, I haven’t read the black black blogs or magazines and didn’t know that they were so in your face with the questions to her. Good for them. Loved the last part of your comment by the way!
Tasha
I’m more disappointed that she is a smoker than a lesbian!
Barbara
4 all u people who are concerned about the Queen, why dont u get a life of your own.The girl can tell u when she wants and if she never tells it still ok. It s her life to live as she pleases so get off her case. I never ever heard her deny being gay, but as I read earlier in a comment she did say her personal life is her own, and she has the right to not discuss her sexuality or any other aspect of her life publicly. People should not have to justify who they are or what they do to please a certain group of people so I say leave her alone and let her be who she wants, tell or not. I am a true fan of the Queen and I have never heard her deny being gay, I think she only wants her right to be private, and she as an individual deserves that. So please stop B I T C H N.