The age of the “Yep, I’m Gay” magazine cover is over. At least so says Entertainment Weekly in this week’s new cover story. The full-cover declaration screaming up from your Time magazine could well be a thing of the past. Today’s stars come out in a nonchalant, oh-wait-did-he/she-just-come-out way that it barely registers bold-faced headline, let alone a very-special issue. Think Jim Parsons, think Matt Bomer, think Zachary Quinto, think Jesse Tyler Ferguson, think Chris Colfer. Wait, that’s a lot of guys. In fact, the women they use to illustrate this trend are Wanda Sykes and Jane Lynch. Wanda came out several years ago at an anti-Prop. 8 rally. And Jane? God, does anyone have any idea when Jane came out? Wasn’t she always out?
But there are a handful of hot younger female stars who are also out, like Amber Heard and Anna Paquin and Kate McKinnon and, um. Give me a minute. Um. And, speaking of nonchalant, I think Amber’s coming out was so nonchalant the mainstream media never even noticed it. Because they sure never mention her when talking about gay Hollywood. But I digress. While there is a small but lively crop of out female actresses in their 20s and 30s (smallest being the 20s), many of our most famous comings out still tend to be women who are older. And I don’t mean this in a mean way at all, but past the peaks of their careers. Women like Meredith Baxter and Kelly McGillis and Kristy McNichol. This is, unfortunately, the nature of the beast. Many actors are still too scared or unwilling to come out at the beginning of their careers. They fear it will limit their marketability, suppress their stardom. Yadda yadda yadda. But I wonder, too, despite the whole straight dudes get turned on by lesbians thing, if women still need to be sexier. If women need to be seen as more sexually available, especially when younger. I don’t know, I’m just spit-balling out loud here on the fewer famous out younger women thing.
Still despite the reason for the disparity, I will say I’m glad we’re past our magazine cover days. Don’t get me wrong, I like a cheesy coming out People magazine cover as much as the next gal. But the more being gay becomes just a fabric of who we are and less a circus show to be ogled at, the better. Also, that means my mint vintage 1997 Time magazine featuring Ellen’s “Yep” heard around the world will be worth more. What, I can’t be for gay rights and gay entrepreneurship? Sheesh.
17 comments:
So I don't know how I ended up here, but I very much like it.
It's as if I spaced out driving and somehow ended up in DisneyLand.
- Male, 21, Intrigued.
I agree that Anna Paquin should be in that cover, maybe in place of Jane Lynch.
Also, let's not forget that Jodie Foster started that nonchalant coming out trend with her "my lovely Cidney" Speech
I know there have been decades worth of "Johnny Depp is such a pretty girl" (granted this was largely before he always had the scruffy beard), but even so how much of an out dyke can Amber Heard be if she's fucking him?
http://www.crazydaysandnights.net/search?q=amber+heard
I'm just a tad weary of the young 'uns getting the ink for their lady loving then wandering off to screw/marry men, Amber just being the most recent example.
Amber Heard has never said she is a lesbian. She's bisexual. So, she can screw JD's heart out as far as I'm concerned. I still want her on my team. That's probably why Anna Paquin is not on the cover either. She is married and about to have a baby with a man.
Of course she can do/screw what she likes, but I really am TIRED of this, even when the claim is "I'm bisexual" and then next thing you never see the claimant romantically involved with a woman again. It's nothing against bi people. It's the manipulation of publicity to curry favor with a segment of the population plus trying on the 'edgy' mantle. I love Laurel Holloman, a lovely and talented woman who has been very supportive always, but her bisexuality seems to have amounted to one encounter while shooting "2 Girls". Angelina Jolie burst into our consciousness as the wild, omnivorous sexual adventurer. She seems to have settled down quite a bit in the last decade, hasn't she? And the last time she was linked to a woman was? And then a whole series of younger actresses grabbing headlines declaring their open sexuality, never to be seen dating women there after. I'm all for positive reinforcement, I'm all for people living their own authentic lives. But i can't help feeling a bit used when I see this scenario go down time and time again.
Hey people, have you ever thought that these people aren't coming out FOR YOU, but rather to try to be honest about themselves at that point in their lives? Would you rather they keep it to themselves until they're really really sure they're not going to disappoint you with their later heteronormativity? And what's with this idea that being bi is "edgy" or "adventurous" or the sign of a "wild, omnivorous sexual adventurer"? Stereotype much? Maybe at one point in their lives, Angelina partied and liked Jenny. Now she's happy with Brad and the family they've made together. Breathe and repeat to yourself: it's not about me.
As for younger ladies coming out, what about Ellen Page? Is she out yet?
No, they aren't coming out for me, they're coming out for their publicist. That's what pisses me off. Also, talking to brick walls who ignore half of what you said is kind of irritating too.
Just to reminiscence about Germany's last high profile 'outing' in 2007 (!)
www.afterellen.com/people/2007/11/annewill
The way they did it was as public as needed, but still lowkey.
There are so few roles for lesbians; and when they exist, lesbians rarely get cast. There are many many lesbians out there in the work force who are not out at work. Because actresses don't get the choice to be out in their lives but not at work; unfortunately, their lives become hidden. It's a lose-lose all the way around. And Kate, Ellen, Rosie, even Jane -- are not really actresses. Most of them are comedians first -- this is a field where honesty is more welcome. And they're all pretty darn successful. Why do we put so much emphasis on actresses? Let's look more at politicians. That's where the real damage is being done.
I honestly don't care if every orientation confused ass comes out, every bi, tri,or user, manipulator come out goes in or whatever, has 10 kids or no.
This is no more obnoxious then the pretty people looking down their noses at lesbians that aren't fluffy enough for the straights, because they want to pretend their just like them except for the woman fucking that is..
Everybody lies tries to one up and assert their agenda, it's called life.
Gee, anonymous. On behalf of all bi women everywhere, I apologise for existing.
...
No, actually, I don't.
Someone's working hard for the money.
Well I'm all for the "quiet" coming out. I'm in the let's-not-make-a-fuss-camp to be honest because really why make a fuss? So I really like those nonchalant coming out.
I think the issue with Amber Heard's bisexuality is that it doesn't seem very genuine. In fact, I'd go so far as to call it fake. It got her name out there in front of everyone, and I think that was it's sole purpose. Now that that's done, she can do what/who she likes.
Some fucking icon:
http://www.crazydaysandnights.net/2012/06/amber-heard-splits-with-girlfriend.html
Gay(ish) for a second while it earned her some headlines.
Dorothy, could you just hold off on anointing heroines until we see if they're going to stay on the team long enough to determine if they're for real or in it for the headlines? It's bad enough when we get used, please don't help them.
Oh honestly....she was open about dating a woman. Now they have broken up, such is the life of most people. But its still nice that she talked about it.
People's attitudes about bisexuals scare me a little sometimes. Its logically more likely a bisexual woman will end up with a guy due to the number of straight guys vs gay girls. Its fine, it doesn't make them any less bisexual lol
I do like that people can just come out and have it not seem like such a huge major issue. It shows that society might actually be progressing, amazing! But I would hate for all coming out announcements to be so quiet and nonchalant as to become invisible in the media. Stories of people boldly coming out can be inspiring.
And as for all of this bi talk...I'm not touching that topic with a ten foot dildo.
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