Explain to me again why we protect closeted celebrities and talk show hosts

[ruggerson]

who could help enormously, but choose not to.

If Brad Pitt can give $100,000 to No On 8, while a gay talk show host stays silent and keeps up her ruse that she is straight, why are we protecting her and others like her?

Why are these cowards allowed to live a public lie?

[bear425]

1. I'm deleting my silly comment. I'm angry, too. More than that...

I'm very sad for us.

[Ellen Forradalom]

4. Tyra Banks?

:-)

[msongs]

2. they hide in the closet so they can MAKE $$$$$$$$$ nt

[ruggerson]

3. And why do we let them?

[closeupready]

26. It's not that we let them, it's that the media complies with wishes to retain a celluloid closet.

Lots of good research into this out there. Serves commercial interests and for other reasons.

[KitchenWitch]

5. Are we talking about Ellen here?

I believe Ellen did want to come out of the gate with her ad right away but was poo poo'd. She finally had to produce it and distribute it herself.

[bear425]

6. I believe he is referring to Oprah. n/t

[ruggerson]

7. I'm referring to Oprah, Stephanie Miller and Queen Latifah

amongst many others.

[Moloch]

8. Is Queen Latifah closeted?

I thought she came out?

[ruggerson]

9. no she refuses to discuss it when asked

[amdezurik]

10. and your point?

besides un-thought out anger towards folks I am sure did not vote yes. funny how your impulse is to punish people like Stephanie (gay or not is not why I listen to her in the morning) who every single fucking morning spoke directly to that issue.

[ruggerson]

12. Because she actively pretends to be straight

which perpetuates lying and bigotry.

[bear425]

13. Yes, I hear you. Queen Latifah doesn't readily come to mind, but

I agree with you re Stephanie. Her future ex-husband, Keith, would not approve of her pretense, neither do I.

[ruggerson]

14. She is a coward

This is now officially a war, as far as I'm concerned, and they are either on our side or they are not.

She can choose.

[QC]

15. But...but...but...what about Stedman? n/t

[KitchenWitch]

11. Got it, thanks!

[Eryemil]

16. Anderson Cooper better officially come out while he's still hot.

All these celebrities wait to come out until they're old and no one cares about them anymore.

[closeupready]

17. If nobody cares that they're gay when they get old, what does that say about those who don't care?

In other words, if you just want to have sex with someone hot, that's what Manhunt is for.

I'm sorry, your comment is just so shallow.

[Eryemil]

21. It was a joke, ligthen up a bit. You're a bit anal on this board aren't you?

I was however making a point which seems to have evaded you.

Closeted public figures and celebrities usually wait until their careers are over or they are not relevant anymore to come out. Basically when it won't have any impact or make any difference.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

18. quite frankly i think unless black celebs come out and white producers/directors put black gay

characters on tv, we are going to keep seeing gayness as a white issue

[WillParkinson]

19. The same reason your friends protected you when you were young...

You weren't ready. Hopefully you made up your mind when it was time for you. Others need that same choice.

[Cid_B]

20. Anyone has a right to privacy...

They have a choice to declare to the world or keep it to themselves. Sheesh. They believed that certain things were more important to them than others. Who are you to decide for them?

[Eryemil]

22. Not public figures. It's one of the reasons invasion-of-privacy suits are are usually dismissed

[Cid_B]

24. If you want to hop on the tabloid bandwagon....

... then by all means go ahead. I suppose I was referring to common human decency of leaving others business to themselves. If they don't deem an issue important enough to get involved then let them be OR petition them for their support.

Threats of removing some "protection" are the low road and smack of extortion.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

23. who are they to deny my right to free speech? they are public figures and have put themselves

out there for discussion

its hardly the same as outing military figures etc

[closeupready]

25. They can't deny that they are gay?

Who's deciding to take their free speech rights away?

You know, I can't get over how some of you defend the closet.