Gay celebrities coming out...

[wdwpins]

I've been noticing something interesting for years about gay celebrities when they come out. They do so only while in a relationship, never while single--at least with my own observations. Why is this?

Is it like saying "Yeah, I'm gay, but I'm normal just like you (straights) because I'm in a relationship"? Is it detrimental to the gay community for a gay celebrity not to come out while single?

Off the top of my head I can think of the following celebrities who came out while in an established relationship: Richard Chamberlain, Ellen Degeneres, James McGreevey, David Hyde Pierce, Neil Patrick Harris, Lance Bass. Can you think of others?

Can you think of a gay celebrity who came out of the closet as a single person? (I'm talking about a voluntary coming out.)

Any thoughts?

 

[ConcKahuna]

You forgot Wanda in your list as well!

But you're right, I cant really think of any single gay celebrities.

 

[rpmdfw]

T.R. Knight was single when he came out. He's in a relationship now, however.

I'd think that one of the factors is that being in a relationship helps you to be more grounded and sure of yourself. I know that my own self-confidence is much better now that I'm in a solid relationship.

It's much easier to say "who cares what the world thinks" when you know that you can go home to the one person who's opinion matters most and be safe.

 

[itsmuggsie]

Kelly McGillis was single.

 

[NHdisneylover]

It's much easier to say "who cares what the world thinks" when you know that you can go home to the one person who's opinion matters most and be safe.

I think that makes tons of sense

 

[I<3EvilQueen]

Can you think of a gay celebrity who came out of the closet as a single person? (I'm talking about a voluntary coming out.)

Any thoughts?

Well James McGreevey, Neil Patrick Harris, Lance Bass they weren't exactly voluntary, as the papers were going to out them, but they decided to cut the media off at the pass and come out ahead of the press.

 

[soulmates]

Sara Paulson was sort of outed by partner Cherry Jones, but I think that was an agreed upon thing...lovely couple. Sandra Bernhart was single when she came out, so was Sara Gilbert.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I also think that sometimes, maybe, it is just not that much of an issue if you are not with someone Maybe you just don't think about bringing it up--you are just being you and it is not so noticiable because you are single but you aren''t in or out really (with the public), you just are-- until you are dating someone and then realize someone else may make an issue if they see you together (or maybe I live in a dream world and is always an issue in your mind; shouldn't have to be but life is not always as it should be).

 

[rustyp]

How about Clay Aiken? I don'tthink he was in a relationship when he came out.

 

[ConcKahuna]

How about Clay Aiken? I don'tthink he was in a relationship when he came out.

Wasn't he married to a woman at the time? Although I dont think that counts

 

[rpmdfw]

Wasn't he married to a woman at the time? Although I dont think that counts

Nope. A friend of his acted as surrogate so he could have a child.

 

[DVCajun]

I think that if you're in a secure, loving relationship, coming out gives that relationship validity. Does that make sense? Sort of like denying that you're gay would somehow indicate that you're ashamed of your partner .... just projecting here.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Another less charitable reason might be that as a single gay man or lesbian no one really notices you. Once you join with your husband or wife to become a couple, you are now being noticed, and that isn't always a pleasant thing.

That implies that you may have no other choice than to "come out."

 

[Nauf]

This is an interesting thread! I don't think I ever noticed the "Partnered-Pattern" before. Makes perfect sense, though. I'm going to have to agree with DVC on this one as to why its more common to come out once paired up.

 

[JarethDrakul]

T.R. Knight was single when he came out. He's in a relationship now, however.

I'd think that one of the factors is that being in a relationship helps you to be more grounded and sure of yourself. I know that my own self-confidence is much better now that I'm in a solid relationship.

It's much easier to say "who cares what the world thinks" when you know that you can go home to the one person who's opinion matters most and be safe.

I have to agree with that, I've always said I'd come out when I've found someone....which will be never but (haha)....but to me coming out when you have someone is like you have someone to help you through it and not be alone

 

[colaboy29]

Sara Paulson was sort of outed by partner Cherry Jones, but I think that was an agreed upon thing...lovely couple. Sandra Bernhart was single when she came out, so was Sara Gilbert.

Sara Gilbert came out? Where was I when that happened?

 

[wdwprince]

Probably that is why. When someone is in love they want to share it with the world.

 

[soulmates]

Sara Gilbert came out? Where was I when that happened?

Oh Lord, in the 90's sometime!! Everyone on the set knew she was gay. She's been with her partner for a long time. They were each artificially inseminated and have had 1 baby a piece. I follow her on Twitter!

 

[TummyGummi]

does gale count for oprah?

 

[rpmdfw]

I follow her on Twitter!

That sounds dirty!