The Internet has been in a tizzy all morning over news that singer Barry Manilow is a homosexual.
Speaking to People, the iconic “Copacabana” crooner finally opened up about his relationship with husband/manager Garry Kief, confessing to the publication that thought he “would be disappointing [my fans] if they knew I was gay.”
It’s the first time 73-year-old Manilow has spoken publicly about his sexuality, and it’s sparked quite a response in people.
Check out how folks have been responding to the news…
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Barry Manilow comes out as gay with his manager after a secret relationship of nearly 40 years. I can't keep a secret for 40 seconds.
— Dustin (@NutritionTrain) April 5, 2017
Barry manilow coming out as gay is like yogi bear saying he loves picnic baskets.
— im here all week (@wayne_robb) April 5, 2017
Steve Bannon and Barry Manilow are both out, what a time to be alive
— Lesley! (@vanetti) April 5, 2017
All this time I thought Barry Manilow was a lesbian.
— Michelle Wolf (@michelleisawolf) April 5, 2017
Barry Manilow coming out as gay has given me the strength and courage to come out as an African-American.
— King Natles (@natnatles) April 5, 2017
Barry Manilow announces he's gay
In similar news, Chris Christie says he loves cake.— Paul Lander (@paul_lander) April 5, 2017
When Barry Manilow is trending on Twitter and you freak out because you think he's dead but then you're like "Oh, good he's just gay" #MANdy
— Logan Barer (@LBarer32) April 5, 2017
Eagerly awaiting Barry Manilow's next press release in which he announces he's had a bit of plastic surgery.
— Andrew Brazier (@andrewbrazier) April 5, 2017
I don't think I ever thought Barry Manilow was straight. The only shocking thing about this story is that others did.
— V (@CaveDweller8) April 5, 2017
Barry Manilow came out as gay. In other news that everyone already knew, I am Luke Skywalker's father
— Darth Vader (@DepressedDarth) April 5, 2017
Of course, there were some more serious responses, too…
It's not shocking that Barry Manilow came out.
It's just sad we live in a society where you have to come out and not be who you are.
— Tony Posnanski (@tonyposnanski) April 5, 2017
"Barry Manilow" being gay – not a shock. Barry Manilow being in a relationsip for 40 years. Now that is fantastic news
— Anne Gillvray (@DoncasterLass) April 5, 2017
Saying "I always knew Barry Manilow was gay" is not the way to react to the bravery of someone coming out.
— Sean Kent (@seankent) April 5, 2017
Instead of making jokes or sly comments on Twitter, help create a world where Barry Manilow doesn't need to hide his true self.
— Momentus Beyondus (@eltbusglob) April 5, 2017
Congratulations @BarryManilow on coming out! Welcome to the club. #NeverTooLate
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) April 5, 2017
Related: Barry Manilow comes out
paul dorian lord fredine
the only thing disappointing about barry coming out now is to think that 40 years ago i just may nave had a shot.
gjg64
What? Barry Manilow is gay??? No way! Next thing you’re going to tell me is that Liberace was gay too.
PRINCE OF SNARKNESS aka DIVKID
He put the bathos into bath(house act) ostrich impersonator
aidanbh
I do find it interesting that Manilow has “just come out” and that “for the first time” he is admitting it publicly, because these were the same expressions that the press used to describe an event almost two years ago, when he also “just came out” and “for the first time”.
DarkZephyr
That’s not what happened 2 years ago. 2 years ago he got married and it was somewhat widely reported on, despite him having nothing to do with those reports himself. This is legitimately the first time HE himself has publicly addressed it and admitted it.
OzJosh
The comment is still valid. His marriage was widely reported. Manilow didn’t refute any of those reports, so even his most blinkered fans would have drawn their own conclusions. His “coming out” now seems to me doubly cowardly, not brave as some are claiming. If he’d done so off the wedding reports it would have seemed a natural reiteration of his stand in making a (semi)public vow. If he’d done so five, ten, twenty years ago it might have been significant and brave. But like Richard Chamberlain coming out once all hope of him still being seen as a heart-throb was over, this is a safe, career-end, what-have-I-got-to-lose, disappointingly qualified admission. It’s a poor 3 out of 10 on the coming out scale.
Terrycloth
I think the world already knew …even before Barry did.. glad he is happy…
ScottOnEarth
Right on, Barry! He comes from a different generation where secrecy was the name of the game – particularly for entertainers. I’m most amazed and impressed by his 40-year relationship. That’s infinity in gay relationship years.
BriBri
In a perfect world, this wouldn’t be necessary! But better late than never! Awesome Barry and BF!
larrytopping
I knew this even before he was re-named “Mary Banilow.”
bookworm
Am I the only one in which this marriage is old news? I remember reading that Mr. Manilow had married his manager 2 or 3 (maybe 4) years ago. I can’t remember where I read it….
BTW, the comments above are ridiculous. What a bunch straight/gay homophobic assholes.
DarkZephyr
That’s not what happened 2 years ago. 2 years ago he got married and it was somewhat widely reported on, despite him having nothing to do with those reports himself. This is legitimately the first time HE himself has publicly addressed it and admitted it.
DarkZephyr
Sorry that was not for you, nor did I even POST it under your comment. Queerty glitched out. The response I intended for you is as follows:
It was 2 years ago that he got married and this is news because unlike 2 years ago he is publicly acknowledging his marriage and his sexual orientation.
I agree with you about a lot of the snarky comments.
Pansgayman
Being a gay man who had the guts to come out of the closet 40 years ago, his “announcement” 40 years later doesn’t impress me. If he had been brave enough to come out then, when the struggle was real, that would have had a positive effect on my life & helped with the hatred & struggle. But today not so much. But, hey I’m glad me and the rest of the brave gay men & women from the 70’s who stood up & came out with no support whatsoever were able to pave the way for those who choose, for whatever reason, to drag their feet & hide who they were. Gurl, 40 years “in the Closet” is not a cute look, thank God you made it out before you died.
DarkZephyr
Congratulations on patting yourself on the back and being an insensitive arse.
Pansgayman
You’re welcome, Mr. know it all butt munch. Where you another closet dweller? If not thank God others opened the door for you and it wasn’t Barry Manitoe.
iggy6666
Better late then never I suppose. ..
But you definitely have the bigger balls for doing it forty years sooner!
natekerchel
I think, even if it is accidental, his ‘coming out’ now is more important than it would have been 20 years ago because of the political situation we find ourselves in. At a time when we are coming under the most sustained attack since the 1960’s it can only be good that someone of his international renown publicly identifies with other lgbt people. I can imagine that many many cheesy republicans, probably including the monster himself, had their favorite ‘romantic’ Manilow track. They will be cringing at the thought now. Good. Well done Barry is what I say – 40 years is a good example for us all.
QJ201
Oh please he didn’t want to lose his
OLD
WHITE
audience.
readycarlos
Barry Manilow is gay? Next you’ll tell me Lance Bass and Clay Aiken are too!
Alan down in Florida
If you’ve ever actually listened to the words he was singing you didn’t need his acknowledgement to know he was gay.
Lvng1Tor
#YES2AWorld where RICH WHITE CIS MEN (who EVERYONE knew is GAY) dont have to hide who they are! 1991 is a miraculous year! #ThoughtHeWasOut?
dwes09
Above you see the true face of the regressive “progressive”, no understanding of those who are from different backgrounds, could not care about past history, as divorced from reality as the worst of the right wing-nuts. Why exactly do you insult him for having been born a man (as if “cis” is some sort of an insult, you ass!!)? And what is your problem with the fact that he busted his butt in the entertainment business to make money? He comes by his riches honestly, much more than you come by your (rather stupid) entitled attitude honestly. Have you actually done anything to enrich other’s lives or make their lives more pleasant? Are you possessed of any sort of creativity, as he is? Bitching does not count.
The gay community really has no need for pissants like you who are too self absorbed, stupid and entitled to understand that things were different before you were born.
If you had to deal with the world in the 50’s 60’s or 70’s you would likely have never survived, and yet you so easily criticize those whose lives you cannot (and do not try to) understand. Nothing worse than a bitter stupid young queen who thinks they know everything.
dwes09
You are feeling the ire directed at all the fools here who seem tho think the world did not exist before they were born and that those on whose shoulders YOU stand are somehow cowardly for not living in the world they helped create for you. I will not judge him for staying in the closet, given the world we knew, but I will certainly judge you for disparaging him with no understanding at all of that world.
I started coming out in 1969 and was not completely out (to my entire family) until 1980. I will be damned if i let some fool like you disparage a man who was cowed by a world a hell of a lot more hostile than you are capable of understanding, without putting you in your place. If you had to deal with the shit he had to, I doubt you would have survived. And if you had, you would be trapped in a sham marriage to some suburban woman sucking trucker dick at a rest stop every chance you got.
Sluggo2007
I never had to come out because I was never in the closet. I accepted myself long ago and didn’t feel the need to hide myself to appease those who didn’t approve. I just didn’t care what they thought and I still don’t. Those who judge are those who are projecting doubts about their own sexuality.
Herman75
Well, yeah, one can joke about it, but the way things are right now, one could also recognize why it might be important. It’s older white men that put Trump in the White House, so a dose of truth from an older white man might help change a few minds. Now, more should follow his example.
natekerchel
Exactly my point.
jamih
All of you who keep saying that it was white men who put Trump in office, why is it that you keep forgetting white women?
gary69mike
What, no way! Hahaha… really this comes as a shock? Next thing you’re going to tell me is he goes to the hair dresser, colors his hair and gets a set and a tease.