# Now that Ricky is out, what celebrities "everybody knows" are gay remain? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 29, 2010, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272 "2010-03-29T23:36:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/221 "2010-04-21T19:17:44Z")
> [@Illuminatiprimus](#): > > And this is exactly why we don’t confuse personal experience with global reality, something you seem to be able to do but **Martini Enfield** isn’t in this situation. Whatever the actual number of exclusively gay people in the population (and this is so extremely hard to know due to the still very prevalent taboo about admitting to one’s self and others about being gay) the notion that gay people are upwardly massaging the numbers as part of some activist campaign is laughable. “upwardly massaging” ? (Hey, I agree with you. Just enjoyed that particular phrase in this context.) ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/222 "2010-04-21T19:20:57Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Hey, if gay people don’t like it here they can go back to where they came from. I think that’s what the gay males are trying to avoid, eh, ehhh? Meh. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/223 "2010-04-21T19:37:38Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Hey, if gay people don’t like it here they can go back to where they came from. If you even try to give out the location of our secret base and mating grounds in Milwaukee I’ll call a Judy Jihad! An irony about Graham is that he received a 0 from the Human Rights Campaign (a glbt lobbying group) on gay rights issues. If they manage to recall him for being gay, WHOEVER replaces him will at worst equal his record on gay rights issues and very likely will be much gay friendlier. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/224 "2010-04-21T22:45:27Z")
I actually have no idea why they think this or if there’s anything at all to back it up, but a _lot_ of fangirls of the Star Trek reboot are completely positive that Zachary Quinto (also of _Heroes_) is gay. Just a bit of gossip for you. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/225 "2010-04-21T23:02:24Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > I actually have no idea why they think this or if there’s anything at all to back it up, but a _lot_ of fangirls of the Star Trek reboot are completely positive that Zachary Quinto (also of _Heroes_) is gay. > > Just a bit of gossip for you. I heard that, but I think it was here. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/226 "2010-04-22T03:07:00Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > I actually have no idea why they think this or if there’s anything at all to back it up, but a _lot_ of fangirls of the Star Trek reboot are completely positive that Zachary Quinto (also of _Heroes_) is gay. > > Just a bit of gossip for you. If Quinto is ever romantically attached to a lady, I will be _stunned_. ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/227 "2010-04-22T10:49:06Z")
Just wondering about this in a broader context… other than men in physical sports, like football, hockey, etc… does it really matter that much? Does anyone really care? Apparently, the answer to this question is yes, but I’m not sure why. **Matthew Brodderick** - Never heard this rumor, until reading this thread. Certainly, this would explain marrying Sarah Jessica Parker, a very masculine looking woman (facially, anyway). I’ve always wondered about her sexuality… perhaps a Hollywood marriage of convenience? **George Clooney** - I don’t see it, but my wife is convinced he is gay. I don’t know any stories out there, and he’s been seen in public with women, so if he is gay, I’d be a bit surprised. Those who I thought were already out: **Anderson Cooper** **Jodie Foster** Those who haven’t had an official “coming out” announcement, but is widely accepted that they are gay: **Oprah Winfrey** **Tom Cruise** **Richard Gere** A couple of guys who are rumored to be gay, and neither would surprise me: **Ryan Seacrest** **Simon Cowell** A few sports figures, who may or may not be. **Johnny Weir** - OK, he’s gay. Straight guys don’t take baths with their friends and post it on the internet, even for fun or shock value. **Michael Strahan** - No proof, but some rumors… perhaps nothing to it. **Troy Aikman** - I saw his name upthread, and was wondering if this is a widely held belief, or if it’s just a strange rumor. I’ve heard this too, but I know he’s married (not that being married doesn’t permit one to be gay or bisexual). Still, I’d be curious if anyone else has heard this and if it has any legs to it. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 11:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/228 "2010-04-22T11:12:22Z")
If Simon Cowell is gay he’s [working very hard](http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/2010/04/20/lovestruck-simon-cowell-plans-to-have-four-weddings-to-fiancee-mezhgan-hussainy-86908-22198348/) to convince everyone otherwise. Although… > [@](#): > > It is understood the wedding will be in Brighton, with the other events being blessings or celebrations. Brighton…hmmm… ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/229 "2010-04-22T11:58:40Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > Just wondering about this in a broader context… other than men in physical sports, like football, hockey, etc… does it really matter that much? Does anyone really care? Apparently, the answer to this question is yes, but I’m not sure why. I really don’t think it’s as big a deal as it’s made out to be. Since coming out, Neil Patrick Harris’ career has only grown. Jodie Foster will never go wanting for work. Sean Hayes and Nathan Lane are Hollywood’s go-to wacky actors. Anderson Cooper is pretty much the US’s most respected newsman. Gay folks have won all of the major reality show competitions and none of them had an exclusively gay fanbase. Of course there’s still bigotry, but if Will Smith came out as gay tomorrow, Men in Black III would still make evelenty bajillion dollars at the box office. ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/230 "2010-04-22T13:58:50Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > …but if Will Smith came out as gay tomorrow, Men in Black III would still make evelenty bajillion dollars at the box office. And baby Jesus cry. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/231 "2010-04-23T15:14:37Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > Just wondering about this in a broader context… other than men in physical sports, like football, hockey, etc… does it really matter that much? Does anyone really care? Apparently, the answer to this question is yes, but I’m not sure why. > > **Matthew Brodderick** - Never heard this rumor, until reading this thread. Certainly, this would explain marrying Sarah Jessica Parker, a very masculine looking woman (facially, anyway). I’ve always wondered about her sexuality… perhaps a Hollywood marriage of convenience? Uhh… what? Are closeted gay men compromising a bit by marrying ‘manly’ (by your standards) women? Her vagina had better be manly, too, you know. (Not that I think the rumor is completely groundless – a few of his family members are very religious, so I do wonder). ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/232 "2010-04-23T16:02:19Z")
> [@Captain\_Amazing](#): > > Because, while Graham, while generally conservative, supports things like immigration reform, and the guy making the accusation, who’s the head of an anti-illegal immigration group, who’s opposed to immigration reform, is trying to smear him by accusing him of being gay. You over simplify. Lindsey’s gayness has been known for a long time. The Repubs had use for him before. Now the scales have tipped and he is judged a detriment to the “just say no” plans. So they are using what they had for years against him. Why is outing a person as “gay” a smear. It is a description . ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/233 "2010-04-23T16:08:37Z")
[Content marketing is destroying journalism - Charleston City Paper](http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/charleston/is-lindsey-graham-gay/Content?oid=1111370) Like I said, his gayness has been known for a long time. The choice to use it now is a nasty republican political trick. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/234 "2010-04-23T16:16:25Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > rumors… perhaps nothing to it. > > **Troy Aikman** - I saw his name upthread, and was wondering if this is a widely held belief, or if it’s just a strange rumor. I’ve heard this too, but I know he’s married (not that being married doesn’t permit one to be gay or bisexual). Still, I’d be curious if anyone else has heard this and if it has any legs to it. The rumors have been around for years, and obviously, I have no way of knowing if there’s any validity to them. I DO know that nobody did more to spread the rumors than Barry Switzer. He and Aikman have hated each other for years. It started when Switzer recruited Aikman to play QB at Oklahoma, pledging to scrap the wishbone and put in a pro-style passing offense, to attract Aikman. But when Aikman got hurt as a freshman, Switzer went back to the wishbone, forcing Troy to transfer to UCLA. So, Aikman already had reason to believe Switzer was a backstabbing liar. Later, when the respected Jimmy Johnson was fired as Cowboys head coach and replaced with Switzer, Aikman was livid. He believed (rightly) that Switzer would be a hands-off coach and wouldn’t impose any kind of discipline on the team. Aikman sniped at Switzer in the press, telling them that the team was going to hell under Switzer’s brand of non-coaching. Meanwhile, Switzer fired back, telling reporters that Aikman was gay. White players generally sided with Aikman. Black players generally LOVED Switzer, and rallied around him. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/235 "2010-04-25T06:53:06Z")
A note to David Archuleta (the Morm-chichi from AMERICAN IDOL): Even if/especially if it’s true, “[I didn’t know it was a gay bar](http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/253607/david-archuleta-spotted-a-gay-club)” is never NEVER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES the right response. (And in his case it probably is the truth- it wouldn’t shock me in the least to learn he’s gay but it would to learn he knows it.) Presents a question: gay bars in NYC allow 19 year olds? How’s that legal? ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/236 "2010-04-25T07:06:20Z")
Speaking of Archuleta, his castmate and the winner that season David Cook always pinged my gaydar. That is 100% speculation and probably 100% wishful thinking on my part (he’s not conventionally attractive but I always thought he was super sexy). ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/237 "2010-04-25T09:17:49Z")
> [@Cat\_Fight](#): > > Uhh… what? Are closeted gay men compromising a bit by marrying ‘manly’ (by your standards) women? Her vagina had better be manly, too, you know. (Not that I think the rumor is completely groundless – a few of his family members are very religious, so I do wonder). Of course not. I just used this as an opportunity to take a shot at SJP, who I loathe… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/238 "2010-04-25T09:21:05Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > The rumors have been around for years, and obviously, I have no way of knowing if there’s any validity to them. > > I DO know that nobody did more to spread the rumors than Barry Switzer. He and Aikman have hated each other for years. It started when Switzer recruited Aikman to play QB at Oklahoma, pledging to scrap the wishbone and put in a pro-style passing offense, to attract Aikman. But when Aikman got hurt as a freshman, Switzer went back to the wishbone, forcing Troy to transfer to UCLA. > > So, Aikman already had reason to believe Switzer was a backstabbing liar. Later, when the respected Jimmy Johnson was fired as Cowboys head coach and replaced with Switzer, Aikman was livid. He believed (rightly) that Switzer would be a hands-off coach and wouldn’t impose any kind of discipline on the team. Aikman sniped at Switzer in the press, telling them that the team was going to hell under Switzer’s brand of non-coaching. Meanwhile, Switzer fired back, telling reporters that Aikman was gay. > > White players generally sided with Aikman. Black players generally LOVED Switzer, and rallied around him. Thanks for the back story. I had never heard the origin of the rumor, and now that you’ve explained it, it does make me wonder about the validity of it. I had no idea that Switzer and Aikman hated each other, so the Aikman gay rumors may have nothing more than a bitter old coach behind them. That’s a weird story. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/239 "2010-04-25T16:10:56Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > Presents a question: gay bars in NYC allow 19 year olds? How’s that legal? I don’t know what the laws are in NYC, but there are plenty of bars and clubs that admit people under age 21. It’s illegal to serve them alcohol, but you can be inside a building without drinking alcohol. It’s common to have some sort of wristband or hand-stamp system to distinguish the 21+ folks from those who can’t legally purchase alcoholic beverages. When I was in college (in Virginia) the only dance club in the region that _wasn’t_ strictly 21+ was a gay club in the next town over, so it did attract a fair number of straight 18-20 year olds. ---
**Author:** ![Anglachel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Anglachel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anglachel)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272/240 "2010-04-25T19:36:19Z")
> [@Stink Fish Pot](#): > > That’s a weird story. But missing some essential details. Aikman was injured in 1985 during the game against Miami, breaking his leg. He was replaced by a true freshman (Jamelle Holieway) who went on to lead Oklahoma to the national title (running the wishbone). Troy saw the writing on the wall and Barry was INSTRUMENTAL in helping Troy transfer to UCLA. It was a move that couldn’t have worked out better for either party. Aikman did apparently hold a grudge however, and was not pleased when Jerry Jones fired Jimmy Johnson and replaced him with Switzer. How much of the issue was losing the coach he respected or getting Switzer, only he knows. Switzer coached a number of years in Dallas (winning a Super Bowl as well) and most of the bad blood was resolved or at least put aside. As to the gay rumors, I’ve heard them and have a few decent sources and the most anyone ever said to corroborate the rumor was “That’s the rumor”. I’m not buying it. As to Barry starting it, never heard that at all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/now-that-ricky-is-out-what-celebrities-everybody-knows-are-gay-remain/534272.md?page=13)