# Where do persistent gay rumours of celebrities come from? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 10, 2006, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837 "2006-11-10T05:27:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/21 "2006-11-10T16:55:00Z")
I had a friend who was a theater major in college, and was one of the few straight males. So either (a) only the straights go on to become big name celebrities; or (b) the pecentage of gay to straight is the same in Hollywood as it is in college. And to the OP, the rumors are either (a) vicious, nasty, slander designed to destroy an actor’s career, or (b) true. In both of the above, I pick (b). ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/22 "2006-11-10T16:57:20Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] Another mostly-related question - is it still a big deal in Hollywood to be openly gay? I read an article on some gay website a little while ago talking about how gay actors still don’t feel free to come out, and I was surprised - I thought it didn’t matter in Hollywood any more. Was that just naive of me, to think that? Any ideas what the real attitude towards gay actors is in the entertainment industry? [/QUOTE] It’s only a big deal within the industry because it’s still (for some) a big deal outside the industry and the industry, of course, only exists because of that outside. If no one buys your lead as a macho, studly stud for studding babes, than they’re not likely to watch a movie staring him blowing shit up. I can’t think of a single blowing shit up mainstream action movie staring an openly gay lead - even Ian McKellen is only a star in the ensemble movies like X-men and LOTR. Art film actors, of course, have way more flexibility, because their movies aren’t often depending on ticket sales in Homophobe, USA. There were Dopers in the recent “OMG! DOOGIE’S GOT TEH GAY!” thread who said the news would adversely affect their suspension of disbelief because his TV character is a “horn-dog”. If this pinko librul commie message board is having trouble, I can only imagine the reaction elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/23 "2006-11-10T17:16:30Z")
Remember, Hollywood is different from theatre, paticularly musical theatre. If you can sing, dance, and act on stage, nobody gives a flying f_ck who you are f_cking. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/24 "2006-11-10T17:17:00Z")
[QUOTE=Lochdale] Again though, it’s just a way to sell tabloids and/or make people feel better about themselves by pissing all over someone else. [/QUOTE] I think for the most part it’s a neutral thing, never something to taunt the person about, as long as the person isn’t lying about it. Even “I don’t discuss personal matters” is fine with me. And actually, even if they’re lying about it, who cares. ---
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/25 "2006-11-10T17:48:20Z")
I generally assume that persistent gay rumors about celebrities come from either persistent gay fantasies about those celebrities, or those celebrities persistently having gay sex. Or some combination thereof. As the truth of the matters would have absolutely no impact on my life whatsoever, that’s as far as I analyze the matter. And the only celebrity whose work I’ve regarded differently once their sexual hijinks were revealed was Troy McClure. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/26 "2006-11-10T18:09:37Z")
Lesbian actresses seem to be more accepted in Hollywood than gay actors. I take it make moviegoers aren’t put off by the idea of an atractive leading lady wanting to have sex with other women rather than her male co-star. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/27 "2006-11-10T18:27:05Z")
Rumors about gays in Hollywood usually turn out to be accurate- are there any stars rumored to be gay who absolutely positively are not? There’s the rub- you can be proven gay in many obvious ways, but its impossible to be proven not gay. I think much of it stems from people in the know about gay celebs, and other rumors by observation- for example, Clay Aiken- young guy, reasonably attractive I guess, (sadly) one of the most famous artists out there, millions of young girls who would gladly let him be their first, etc. etc., and in all this time is never once seen with a hot chick? You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to put the pieces together. John Travolta, the pic off him kissing a man on the lips. Matthew McC- the naked bongos with only another male present. Kevin Spacey- the London park “mugging”. Tom Cruise- not sure about that one. ---
**Author:** ![Daffyd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daffyd/32/8923_2.png) [@Daffyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daffyd)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/28 "2006-11-10T18:34:58Z")
[QUOTE=RealityChuck] I think a person’s sexuality is his own business, but for most people, it’s titillating information. [/QUOTE] Unless it’s about Britney and her husband divorcing, what celebrity slept with what other celebrity, etc… Unfortunately, society has this strange double standard - we’re supposed to “protect” stars who are living very openly Gay lives… because it’s somehow “dirtier” than being straight… The media can talk about an actress being addicted to heroin, actors shoplifting, you name it, but GAY? Mustn’t touch that… But if I’m out at a Gay bar and see an actor who I know isn’t out, it isn’t my place to out him… If the media sees him, however, why isn’t it news? They report on all the actors seen at what New York bar all the time… The same goes for politicians… In general, the media won’t report on what anti-Gay politician is actually Gay themselves… even when they know… Now, ummm, having slept with a few closeted politicians in my time, if they had later tried to vote against my rights as a Gay person, you better believe I would have been helping their closet doors open WIDE… ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/29 "2006-11-10T18:54:42Z")
Whne I heard the naked bongo Matthew Mcwhosiegoods story. “GAY” did not even enter my mind. “REALLY fucking STONED” did. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/30 "2006-11-10T19:00:04Z")
[QUOTE=Push You Down] Whne I heard the naked bongo Matthew Mcwhosiegoods story. “GAY” did not even enter my mind. “REALLY fucking STONED” did. [/QUOTE] Ditto. ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/31 "2006-11-10T19:02:41Z")
[QUOTE=Push You Down] Whne I heard the naked bongo Matthew Mcwhosiegoods story. “GAY” did not even enter my mind. “REALLY fucking STONED” did. [/QUOTE] Me too. That sounds like the kind of thing really stoned, drunk frat boys (which is kind of Mcwhosiegood’s image) would do in college – nothing sexual. On the other hand, I do apparently have really bad gaydar because I never once thought Doogie Howser was gay, and in that thread people made it sound as though it was blindingly obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Lochdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/edb3f5/32.png) [@Lochdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lochdale)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/32 "2006-11-10T19:19:09Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn] Rumors about gays in Hollywood usually turn out to be accurate- … John Travolta, the pic off him kissing a man on the lips. Matthew McC- the naked bongos with only another male present. Kevin Spacey- the London park “mugging”. Tom Cruise- not sure about that one. [/QUOTE] See, I call bullshit on this. Travolta is married with three kids. Perhaps he is gay and hiding it but more likely he isn’t. Why not give him the benefit of the doubt? ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/33 "2006-11-10T20:01:29Z")
[QUOTE=Rodgers01] On the other hand, I do apparently have really bad gaydar because I never once thought Doogie Howser was gay, and in that thread people made it sound as though it was blindingly obvious. [/QUOTE] Somehow I “knew” it years ago. I don’t know how or where, but I thought I’d heard it confirmed some time ago. And I’m glad I’m not the only one who can’t ever remember his real name. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/34 "2006-11-10T20:06:40Z")
**Lochdale** , my apologies, I should have started a new paragraph. My listing of celebrities was not me saying they are definitely gay, it was me theorizing where the rumors of each may have started. I personally don’t think about it much, but if a gun was to my head, I would say Travolta, Cruise & Matt M aren’t- Spacey and Clay are no-brainers. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/35 "2006-11-10T23:01:29Z")
That is a strange double-standard, **Daffyd**. I didn’t realize that the media was also participating in a “don’t ask/don’t tell” policy. That could be because of journalistic integrity - AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Sorry - couldn’t get that one out with a straight face. Now you’ve got me wondering why the media doesn’t out everybody. What’s in it for them? Sell more copies with innuendo than fact? ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2006, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/36 "2006-11-10T23:51:08Z")
I think persistent gay rumors which originate from within the gay community are pretty reliable. The gay community can be fairly tight and it has lots of connections into Hollywood. The key is if it’s a _persistent_ rumor. Anyone who thinks Harrison Ford is dreamy can start a rumor he’s gay. But in the gay community all it takes is a few phone calls to old roommates who know, or know someone who knows and the person trying to start that rumor will get laughed at. But if you keep hearing about so-and-so, there’s a pretty good chance it isn’t just wishful thinking. Here in Monterey we’re right next door to Carmel & Pebble Beach. Both popular celebrity weekend “getaway” places and if you know people in the service industry or at the airport you hear lots of juicy stories about who shows up with whom for the weekend, or who goes to dinner with whom and he always flirts with the waiters and “it was pretty obvious.” You don’t have to believe any of those stories but if you _keep_ hearing them it’s probably not just wishful thinking. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/37 "2006-11-11T00:06:57Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn] Rumors about gays in Hollywood usually turn out to be accurate- are there any stars rumored to be gay who absolutely positively are not? [/QUOTE] Pfft. What keeps the rumors of gay celebrities going is called _confirmation bias._ The times our guess is right, we think, “See! Told you so!” and when we’re wrong, we think it’s just a matter of time before we’re proven correct. Even when somebody announces he’s straight, fucks fifty women, has nineteen kids and four divorces, we think, “Pshaw, he’s overcompensating, isn’t it obvious?” ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/38 "2006-11-11T00:53:11Z")
Here’s an interesting site…in alphabetical order. > **[FAMOUSANDGAY.COM](https://www.afternic.com/forsale/FAMOUSANDGAY.COM?utm_source=TDFS&utm_medium=sn_affiliate_click&utm_campaign=TDFS_GoDaddy_DLS&traffic_type=TDFS&traffic_id=GoDaddy_DLS)** > > Forsale Lander ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2006, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837/39 "2006-11-11T01:04:01Z")
[QUOTE=dropzone] Personally, I’m always shocked–SHOCKED–to learn that an actor is gay. Back in my day NO gay people got into show business whatsoever. NEVER! Or was that the other way around, as in, “You mean he’s STRAIGHT? Who’d’a thunk it?” [/QUOTE] What was it Dorothy Parker said? Scratch a Hollywood actor deep enough and you’ll find an actress? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-persistent-gay-rumours-of-celebrities-come-from/379837.md?page=1)