For some people this isn’t news at all, but there is an importance to actually saying something every now and then, and not letting gossip or presumption define you. Especially for young people (and everyone else!) out there who are homosexual and think there are no role models, or that gay people aren’t successful, now have proof otherwise. There is also another important reason for gays to come out of the closet–it would be nice to not have men dressed in cheerleader outfits or “dykes on bikes” at parades be the only image of gay people many in American ever see.
Amen, Tammy. I’m always thrilled to see someone come out, especially when they’re well respected, successful and don’t necessarily fit into some stereotype of what a gay man or a lesbian acts like, looks like or thinks like.
Hooray for Jodie and for all of us!
One of the worst kept secrets in Hollywood. I wonder if John Hinckley would have done what he did had he known she was gay. He kept referring to her as “my girl friend.” The first time I ever saw Jodie Foster was in an episode of season 1 of Kung Fu (1972 -73),
‘S the story of my life, sadly. Another Hot Chick crossed off my list. Sigh.
Tammy,
I am 100% died in the wool heterosexual male and, hope I don’t lose you on this. You haven’t lost me because you practice homosexuality. Regarding Jodie Foster, I am happy that it brings you joy, truly. It’s even a little fun to watch you fawn over beautiful women. We have similar tastes.
For me, the idea of me having sex with another man repulses me as much as the idea of me having sex with my mother. From the perspective of a boy, maternal love and affection can be confused with the oncoming sexual desire type of love. There are hugs, kisses and the word love involved in both. It’s healthy to be on guard, to sort things out. Similarly, I am always slightly on guard with my friends “who play for the other team” who do have desire for me. It’s natural defense against inappropriate advances.
There exists a healthy balance of predominantly heterosexuals. The world would change dramatically if we all became homo- or bi- sexual. I might look like devolution, as does incest.
Balance seems to be lacking in our national dialogue. That’s our dilemma. I agree with your good role model comments about Jody Foster. I know however from experience that I am less comfortable when I have to be on guard. It must be the same in reverse and therefore daunting to be in the minority. The secrecy of being in the closet must cause mental health issues of all sorts. Believe me, I’ve been exposed to a murderous homosexual sociopath. He’s angry at the world about his sexual preference and how he arrived there. It’s hard to be a fagot. (Look it up in the dictionary!) It wasn’t pretty but, I don’t hold that against my dear friends who are not murderous or sociopaths. At times I’ve even been excluded because I wasn’t their kind.
The language we use is messed up. Just as “queer” is derogatory and “homo” is clinical and has five syllables, from what I see “gay” is an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms. Furthermore I resent that I can no longer use the word “gay” to describe anything about what I or other heterosexuals do. The gay offensive is a one syllable word the politically correct press foisted upon all of us which is somehow meant to replace a derogatory with a laudatory.
I practice acceptance. At the same time I don’t believe homosexuality should be encouraged. It just a natural fact that some people are that way. It’s OK, but it’s not what I want for my children. We need a new word to replace “gay,” one which neither elevates nor denigrates, neither encourages nor discourages. We need a label which just accepts without sexualizing our national dialogue. We need a kind of motherly love, a comfort zone but, we haven’t found it yet. The right language would help.
so what does this mean? i’m not hookin up with jodie any time soon? i can still dream, though…………………i love the mix of people we had when i was working, i remember when i got my first lesbian in my squad. she was tough, but cute. i gave her a ‘kill bin laden’ t-shirt last night at our christmas party. she loved it!
My Dad has a thing for her, and I can see why. She’s one of the most headstrong, level headed, intelligent and beautiful women in Hollywood. I will still remember her best role however as Clarice.
Oh, and just to forewarn you, I think Queen Latifah will be next to come out soon… lol
Good for you Jodie. I can not relate to what it must be like to carry that so called (for lack of a better term) “secret”- so I can imagine that it is the one of the heaviest of burdens to keep. Be who you are Jodie and everyone..
Great message Tammy..for all of us, truly!!
I respect her choice to come out, or not. Excellent actress, she deserves the accolades.
just a thought, maybe her kids want this?
Good for her. As usual, and as especially appropriate for an actress, the Bard put it best:
—Hamlet, Act I, scene iii
I know, I know personal choice and all that. But I keep thinking- strong, gorgeous, classy women are so rare!
Oh yeah- I married one.
And there is my daughter.
But other than that…
Actually “coming out” as bi or lesbian in Hollywood is pretty meaningless these days – it’s almost expected.
If she really wants to “come out” and be blacklisted and have her career ended abruptly – she should “come out” as a Conservative.
…sigh…
John has a point about coming out as a conservative in Hollywood. It’s definitely a big consideration for those who are already established and even more so for those who are still working to “make it”. Not an easy road to navigate.
For once my gaydar was finally correct!!!!!! I mean…good for her for finally coming out.
hmmm, having sex with my mother would definitely repulse me way more than having sex with a guy. and, i don’t recall any of that maternal love, hugs and kiss confusion, either.
I’m with Getosama on this one.
I love my Mom, and I always got plenty of hugs and kisses. But I never managed to get that confused with anything else.
Furthermore I resent that I can no longer use the word “gay” to describe anything about what I or other heterosexuals do
——————————————
You can use it, but it’s really gay if you do.
Cool! Gay, straight ,or bi; Jodie Foster AND Tammy Bruce are totally hot!!! :0)
Tammy, I always knew Jodie Foster was a lesbian. I think she’s the best. She carries herself so well, with such class and dignity. I admire that tremendously. She’s an independent woman who lives her own life. She defies stereotypes, which is what I love the most.
Wow! I was always willing to go with the default position that Jodie was hetero unless stated otherwise.
I remember an interview with her on Larry King Live where she was asked about having a baby via. artificial insemination. Larry asked her why she never managed to find a husband to have children with. Jodie, in hindsight, lied. She deadpanned that she was too boring for a relationship, playing like she was single. She said that what she liked to do on her own time was sit down and read a good book. She wasn’t interested in the party life, etc. She said she wanted to have children, and wanted to do it before her biological clock ran out. That was her cover.
One hint I got was when I watched a biography of her. Someone from hollywood said that it was a bit difficult to find roles for her. The best fit seemed to be ones where a man could’ve played the same part. I know actors often say that gender doesn’t matter and that men and women should be able to play the same roles, but I mean this in the sense of a man playing a man.
People like Jodie are probably just of an older generation and were raised in a time when homosexuality wasn’t accepted, and coming out would’ve meant “eternal shame”. Richard Chamberlain also kept his homosexuality in the closet for many years. I don’t think this is so much an issue with the younger actors. They get it that it’s no big deal now to come out. Heck, they’ll even get accolades for it.