# 'Tom Cruise is gay': a homophobic statement? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 26, 2005, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163 "2005-07-26T02:39:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2005, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/41 "2005-07-26T22:47:27Z")
> [@no screen name for now](#): > > Oh, of course he’s gay. I mean, have you SEEN Nicole Kidman? She’s beautiful! I’m a straight woman and I’d have to think a minute before turning her down. I’m a staight man, and I think she needs a sandwich. I like some meat with my gravy. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2005, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/42 "2005-07-26T22:50:00Z")
> [@no screen name for now](#): > > ack, sorry about posting that twice. I must have hit the wrong button. :smack: Some things are worth saying twice. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2005, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/43 "2005-07-26T23:05:39Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > Tom Cruise is a Scientologist. > > Now _that’s_ an insult. To Tom or Scientology? ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2005, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/44 "2005-07-26T23:24:04Z")
> [@Case Sensitive](#): > > I’m a staight man, and **I think she needs a sandwich**. I like some meat with my gravy. It took me reading that twice to realize you weren’t speaking in a double entendre. I’ve been watching too much porn. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/45 "2005-07-26T23:41:34Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > This is where I think the homophopic part comes into play. If you are using the term as an insult, then it is homophobia/gay bashing. I see where you’re coming from, but that’s not quite what I’m getting at. Wether or not Cruise himself is gay, he’s undeniably homophobic. I say this because when someone says he’s gay, he responds with multi-million dollar lawsuits. I think the best (or at least, most fun) way to respond to this sort of homophobia is by calling the homophobe what he least wants to be called. So, as long as Tom Cruise considers being called a homosexual to be libel, I’m going to keep saying that Tom Cruise is a big ol’ homo. I realize this is childish, but in my defense, Cruise _is_ a doodyhead, so I think my behavior is justified. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2005, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/46 "2005-07-26T23:46:03Z")
I think that most people assume that alleging that someone is gay is automatically an insult. Coming from me it isn’t. I’m one of those people who would be equally happy if my child was gay or straight. I truly do not have any issues with gayness in and of itself. It’s the denial, the contortions Cruise is going through to deflect the rumors, and the inherent homophobia of Scientology I have problems with. I am in total agreement with **Maureen** : finding out Tom Cruise was gay would make me like him more. I’d have tons of compassion for his recent behavior, rather than the :dubious: :smack: :wally reaction I have been having. I’d feel very badly for his wives and fiancee, but relieved for them too. As it stands now, I just think he’s a fucking nutjob with identity issues who should shut his stupid mouth. BTW, I think the reason his lid has blown clean off lately is because he has changed management. His sister, also a Scientologist, is now his manager, so whatever mechanisms were in place to keep him in line were removed when he took over. Bad move, but Scientologists aren’t the sharpest tacks in the box. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2005, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/47 "2005-07-27T00:27:12Z")
> [@Maureen](#): > > It took me reading that twice to realize you weren’t speaking in a double entendre. I’ve been watching too much porn. :smack: What am I to read into your location, then? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2005, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/48 "2005-07-27T00:50:14Z")
She likes to hold 'em. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jaade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dfb087/32.png) [@Jaade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaade)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2005, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/49 "2005-07-27T01:41:47Z")
> [@Case Sensitive](#): > > What am I to read into your location, then? Excellent reply. Sadly, I happen to know the answer to that question, she’s just talking about cards. Cuz…if she were at a 7 stud table and didn’t invite me, I’d be a mite bit upset. **Rubystreak** beat me to the answer about Tom’s handlers. Since his sister took over, he’s become much more vocal in a hysterically over-the-top kind of way that isn’t pretty at all. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2005, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/50 "2005-07-27T03:01:03Z")
> [@Case Sensitive](#): > > What am I to read into your location, then? Heh. Unfortunately, **Jaade** is quite right. The guys at the 7 card stud table couldn’t be called “studs” by even the most generous of criteria 😛 And, she knows there’s no way I’d be there without her. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2005, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/51 "2005-07-27T03:01:22Z")
Actually, if I found out Cruise was gay, he’d piss me off even more-because he’s a fucking homophobic jackass hypocrite. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2005, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/52 "2005-07-27T03:05:56Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I see where you’re coming from, but that’s not quite what I’m getting at. Wether or not Cruise himself is gay, he’s undeniably homophobic. I say this because when someone says he’s gay, he responds with multi-million dollar lawsuits. Weeeeeellll… Look: I hate to make excuses for the guy, but the fact of the matter is, for a Hollywood romantic lead, being outed could have multi-million-dollar ramifications; and that outing might hurt and gall all the more if it were based on a falsehood. Yah, it’s homophobic, but it’s a homophobic society we’re in, and if Cruise were to let every attention-whore who wanted to claim they fucked him have their uncontested say, it could really hurt his ability to play the sorts of parts he plays (Lestat being a notable exception). As Cruise has, so far as I know, never said or done anything explicitly hateful towards gays, I don’t have much sympathy for goldigging opportunists who just want to out him to make a buck from selling their smut to the tabloids. At worst, you’ve got sleazebags suing sleazebags in that scenerio. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2005, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/53 "2005-07-27T03:08:08Z")
I’m almost afraid to ask: What is the Scientology stance on homosexuality? And, could TommyBoy get Katie in the door of a poolhall/bar by showing his wedding ring? ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2005, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/54 "2005-07-27T03:18:48Z")
Only if he can prove he’s an angry lesbian. We Californians tend to cave to PC pressure. According to [this site](http://bernie.cncfamily.com/sc/gays_and_scientologists.htm), scientology considers homosexuality > [@](#): > > n expression of “1.1 tone”, an emotional tone midway between “fear” (1.0) and “anger” (1.5). The implication is that homosexuals prefer anonymous and indirect contacts to more open emotional involvement and responsibilities. Apparently scientologists view their emotions as software. Who knew? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2005, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/55 "2005-07-27T03:24:28Z")
Hmm… I’m feeling 1.02 and a beta test of 2.01 right now. What does that mean? ::looks thru fucking big ass book:: :eek: I need a drink. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2005, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/56 "2005-07-27T03:52:30Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > Weeeeeellll… > > Look: I hate to make excuses for the guy, but the fact of the matter is, for a Hollywood romantic lead, being outed could have multi-million-dollar ramifications; and that outing might hurt and gall all the more if it were based on a falsehood. Yah, it’s homophobic, but it’s a homophobic society we’re in, and if Cruise were to let every attention-whore who wanted to claim they fucked him have their uncontested say, it could really hurt his ability to play the sorts of parts he plays (Lestat being a notable exception). All good and valid points. On the other hand, I don’t care. Tom Cruise is a homo. 😃 Seriously, though, when was the last time a Hollywood leading man had his career derailed because of rumors that he was gay? And it doesn’t count if its someone only **Eve** remembers. If this were a common occurence, I might be more forgiving, but since it’s never actually happened so far as I’m aware, I’m just going to continue to be pissed at him for perpetuating the homophobia in our society by acting like being accused of being gay is some kind of dastardly, libellous insult. Oh, and for the record: Mel Gibson? Totally gay. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2005, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/57 "2005-07-27T04:06:28Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Seriously, though, when was the last time a Hollywood leading man had his career derailed because of rumors that he was gay? I can’t think of a recent example, but I also know of not a single Hollywood lead, much less a lead of Cruise’s star power, who is openly gay and still draws audiences. I just don’t think audiences can do it, watch a gay guy up there in a Hollywood blockbuster act like he’s Indiana Jones or James Bond. Sure, they can _play_ gay on occasion, but that can’t actually _be_ gay, or else playing straight would be unrealistic :rolleyes:. Either I’ve got to believe none of these guys are even so much as bi-curious, or figure a fair percentage of them are closeted, and for good reason. I’ve hung around a lot of fairly low-wattage actors (in terms of how bright their stars shine, if you will) since marrying, and the gay contingent is huge. I’m more surprised these days when a theater lead is _straight_, for crying out loud. Probably it’s different in big movies, but _that_ much different? Do they just screen out all the queers before letting them hit the big time, or are things just like they were when Rock Hudson was all that? ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2005, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/58 "2005-07-27T04:09:06Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Oh, and for the record: Mel Gibson? Totally gay. That is one _repressed_ dude. Isn’t Jude Law gay? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2005, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/59 "2005-07-27T04:13:55Z")
I’ve heard rumours about Vin Deisel. And van Johnson. ---
**Author:** ![Syntropy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Syntropy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Syntropy)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2005, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163/60 "2005-07-27T04:16:17Z")
By God, they will take Vin Deisel when they pry him from my cold dead fingers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tom-cruise-is-gay-a-homophobic-statement/314163.md?page=4)