The Glass Closet

Image from source, New York Observer

There is a new phenomenon in the world of gay celebrities: The Glass Closet, and the eventual anti-climactic outing. There have always been those who are rumored to be gay, but nobody seems to really know. For years, that has included Kevin Spacey, Tom Cruise and John Travolta. All have at one time or another outright denied it, the final two vigorously. Cruise has seemingly been on a quest to be portrayed as manly as possible, and rumors be damned, there sure doesn't seem to be evidence. The older Travolta is less successful, and has seen a rash of allegations lately that makes the rumors seem true. And while I'll admit to playing this gossipy guessing game, I have no idea.

Of course I missed the one about Doogie. I had no idea that Neil Patrick Harris was gay before he came out. My gaydar is good, but that one didn't register. But right now, we've got a whole list of openly gay celebrities who surprised very few people when they acknowledged it, because we kinda already knew. Ricky Martin, Sean Hayes, Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer. . .I already "knew" before I knew. But there are the ones still in The Glass Closet that are vexing.

Travolta of course--if he is gay--has constructed an elaborate fiction of a straight life. So, revelation would be embarrassing, and for his religion, forbidden. Anderson Cooper seems unlikely to lose much of anything, other than perhaps his own safety in certain places in the world he reports from. But Queen Latifah? I can't imagine she'd lose much of her following. She's talented and funny. Like Wanda Sykes before her, there would be very little downside.

There's another kind of glass closet, though. It's got one way mirrors, and everyone can see that the person inside is gay, but they're oblivious that we can see them. I'm thinking of a certain Barry Man. . .ilow. A Rich. . .ard Simmons. Perhaps a Marcus Bach. . .mann? I don't know what their problems are.

[Excerpt]


Outward Bound: Celebs Struggle To Keep Sexuality Secret(ish), But Media Make Mischief

At a crowded movie premiere in Midtown recently, The Observer witnessed a young movie and TV star—a dashing young man who’s been involved with several starlets despite whispers about his close relationships with other men—sitting for the entire party in close conversation with a well-groomed gent, even as his co-stars circulated. As we passed, the plus-one stared us down, as if to say, “Step off,” or perhaps, “Don’t you dare write about this. . .”

Read more at: New York Observer