Celebrities coming out of the closet
By monkmano
@monkmano (585)
Canada
July 3, 2012 7:49pm CST
Recently Jim Parsons and Anderson Cooper came out.
Anderson Cooper has always said that he wanted to keep his personal life personal for journalistic reasons. Do you think now that he has come out he will be viewed differently. Ellen Degeneres certainly was but that was a long time ago, now in 2012 is it different? Is his journalism less sensitive to his personal life now that he has become a big name, a reliable news source? What are your thoughts, why now and not earlier or later?
And Jim Parsons, who plays the beloved Sheldon on the big bang theory,even in 2012 do you think there will be some backlash from closed minded people?
I think it is a really brave and powerful thing to come out in hollywood, young LGBT youth can look up to these two established men as role models. I hope that other celebrities will feel they can do this too, perhaps it will help young people be more accepting. (for example still loving that hilarious sheldon on big bang whether the actor is gay or straight, no judge just love)
2 responses
@jjzone44 (917)
• United States
4 Jul 12
Hopefully it won't affect his credibility at all. If you think about it, he didn't "turn" gay, he was that way years before his "coming out". If someone trusted his journalistic ability before, that should not change now.
But sadly there will be those who won't watch him any longer because it is a spoken fact now, but there will also be those from the LGBT community that will now watch him, so hopefully it will even out.
A persons private life should not influence their on-air life, unless they are engaged in criminal behavior, or they are doing one of those reality shows that they follow you around constantly.
I have a really good friend, and she came out to me years ago. I know it was hard for her to admit her preferences to someone in the "straight" community, but I really applaud her courage, and her deep trust in me that she could tell me such things. She took a chance that I would understand her, and that our friendship was strong enough to endure. She was right on both counts, and I remain humbled that someone trusted me that much.
@monkmano (585)
• Canada
4 Jul 12
I really like that point, that i agree with too these celebs were gay before and you watched and respected them why should that change?
sadly most celebs are judged largely on their personal lives. and i agree with your statement, on-air life should have a complete disconnect with whatever you think about anyones personal choices or sexuality.
1 person likes this
@doroffee (4222)
• Hungary
4 Jul 12
I think it's important for LGTB kids to know that they are not alone and have some influential role models, but I don't think LGTB celebrities should be forced or expected to come out. I think it should be everyone's own decision whether they want to come out or not, if they want to live a private life.
