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Jordan Bartel |
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| Celebrity or not, coming out is never news |
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| By Jordan Bartel, Plugged In |
Tuesday, November 07, 2006 |
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Two weeks ago, T.R. Knight, one of the stars of "Grey's Anatomy," one of the most popular shows on television, came out publicly to People magazine.
The gay admission comes after, in his words, "a few questions about my sexuality." In a well-worded - and brief - press release, Knight added, "I hope the fact that I'm gay isn't the most interesting part of me."
I was happy that Knight worded it in that way. In fact, I can't think of a better way to say it. The sad fact is, though, and I'm sure a part of Knight realizes this, that now people will think that's the most interesting part of him.
Now, as in the case of whenever stars come out of the closet, people will forever focus on that aspect of their lives. The whole "publicly confirming that I'm gay" situation seems to me to be something that shouldn't ever happen.
Here's why: It's simply not news. It's simply not anyone's business. It's simply something that just shouldn't be an issue.
I'm not naïve enough to think that people won't be interested or that people don't consider it an issue. I resent the fact that stars, or anybody for that matter, feel like they have to publicly admit their sexuality, as if it's something that needs to be shared.
Holding the presses because someone in the limelight is gay is akin to holding the presses because a star admits that his favorite color is blue or that they painted their bedroom red or that they have green eyes.
Being gay is just a facet of who someone is, yes, even for Hollywood stars. As in the case of Knight or Lance Bass, who also publicly came out this year, it's something that's guaranteed ink. But I don't get why that has to be.
Knight is right in saying that it's not the most interesting part of who he is, mostly because, I assume, he means that it just is a part of him. It doesn't demand the attention it's getting or will continue to get. It never does.
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Press scrutiny of sexuality sickens me. It's not a recent phenomenon, though. Tom Cruise and John Travolta often are questioned about their sexuality. Ditto Kevin Spacey. Most choose not to dignify the questions. The fact Knight felt forced to answer the questions bothers me, but hey, that's just life right? Everyone's sexuality is everyone's business, right?
Coming out is an individual's choice. I'm not knocking Knight for coming out. If he felt he wanted to do so publicly and he felt comfortable doing so, then more power to him. I guess I'm just saddened by the fact people need to make public statements about their sexuality, something that should inherently be private and not an issue.
Another level of Knight's coming out is how the press relates it to his role on "Grey's." Most of the stories about it made it a point to say Knight's character has - gasp! - long been in love with the title character, who is very much female. It's almost like saying him being gay in real life makes him less able to act as a straight man on television. It's absurd.
When will one's sexuality not be an issue? Will that ever happen? Will stars and average folk ever not be susceptible to sexuality rumors?
Of course I don't have the answer to that. I don't think anyone does. It's a nice dream though to want to live in a society that doesn't make such a big deal about someone being gay.
I guess I can only hope. In the meantime, expect many a story about stars "publicly admitting" they're gay. Until the public stops eating up that news with glee, they'll certainly be out there. Maybe when we don't have that unnecessary hunger for that type of news, they'll stop. Wouldn't that be nice?
Reach staff writer Jordan Bartel at 410-857-7862 or bartelj@lcniofmd.com
The 'J' List
My latest favorites in entertainment:
Movies: "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan," opening Friday
No doubt, people on screen - and in the theater - will be squirming in their seats as Sasha Baron Cohen unleashes his deceptively sophisticated humor on the good ol' U.S. of A.
Television: "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy" 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., respectively, Sunday, FOX
Baseball is finally over! Sorry, World Series fans, but that means that FOX's stellar Sunday lineup returns with new episodes of favorites.
It's the 17th annual Treehouse of Horror" on "The Simpsons" and the scariest part of it all is that Dr. Phil guest voices. Over on "Family Guy" Brian and Stewie join the army. Expect a lot of "Don't ask, don't tell" jokes.
Music: "The U.S. vs John Lennon" soundtrack
If you liked the recent documentary but don't want to sit through the heavy-handed Bush bashing, pop in the album instead, which focuses on Lennon, the idealist, not Lennon, the mop-top.
Books: "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream," Barack Obama
The man who would - maybe? Possibly? - run for president offers well-written musings on issues of race, faith and community.
Internet: Mighty Goods, www.mightygoods.com
Be the hippest gift-giver on the block this holiday season by giving your loved ones gifts like a self-watering flowerpot or a personal planetarium from this quirky shopping site.
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