Rosie To Come Out April 23

[Dazey]

Well damn. I never cared for her show--"Queen of Nice" about sums up why--but this sounds like a Rosie I wouldn't mind seeing.

Good on her.

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"We are in the love. We are...the in love ones. Lesbian, in love with merry-type."

[La]

Here's an article from the New York Press with an interesting take on the timing of her "outing" and also a very little bit on Hollywood gays and lesbians:
http://www.nypress.com/15/10/news&columns/signorile.cfm

The Gist
Michelangelo Signorile
Rosie's Endless Outing

If the journalistic definition of "outing" is reporting on an
individual's undisclosed homosexuality, then in the past six weeks Rosie O'
Donnell has been outed at the very least 10,800 times (that's the number
that comes up when you do a Google search of "Rosie O'Donnell and gay").
And that's not including the supermarket tabloids, where Rosie perhaps
holds the record for celebrity outings over the past several years. Rosie
had yet to say the words "I'm gay" herself on camera or in print - although
last week, at a benefit at Caroline's, she reportedly said onstage, "I'm a
dyke!" - but nonetheless we have been assured for weeks and weeks by CNN,
The New York Times, the Associated Press, Barbara Walters and everyone else
participating in the hype machine that it is absolutely true, and that
Rosie will soon say so to the world - promise!

Yes, she will do it in her magazine Rosie, she will do it in her
upcoming book Find Me, she will do it in a highly publicized Primetime
Thursday interview and she may do it on The Rosie O'Donnell Show. It's
true that Ellen DeGeneres was the first big TV star to jump into the
self-outing media whirl, but she just didn't have such a lucrative product
line - all she had was a bad sitcom - not to mention that Rosie has a
serious cause to champion (which, in p.r. terms, will blunt charges of
crassness and opportunism), as she'll be taking up the issue of lesbian and gay adoption, a personal issue for her as a mother. The love that dare not speak its
name, in that great American way, has been transformed into high-concept,
cross-promotional marketing brilliance.

That's progress, I guess. It's certainly true that with a
prominent spokesperson, activists trying to change laws that ban adoptions
by gay people will get a boost. From the standpoint of some lesbians and
gays - and certainly from that of fearful entertainment industry executives
- it was smart for Rosie to first establish her career, define herself as a
devoted mother and as one of America's favorite talk show hosts, then
announce that she is a lesbian later.

Still, it's hard not to be a bit cynical when discussing a woman
who waited until she was almost 40 years old and until after she grew tired
of doing her TV show - which she's packing in this year - to stop promoting
a lie. That may sound harsh, particularly since Rosie's people are trying
to spin the media the other way now, putting out the idea that this is all
not really a big deal, that Rosie's never really hidden her sexuality or
tried to appear heterosexual. But in fact, Rosie has long known that her
audience is Middle America - from day one she knew what to talk about on her show,
and what not to talk about.

If her being a lesbian has never been a big deal - and if she wasn't hiding anything - why not just say it, instead of offering the vagaries Rosie has offered in the past? Why not make references to it in
passing on your show? And why put out the idea that you're just like many
other single (and unhappily married) moms in Middle America who wish a big,
strong male movie star would come and sweep them off their feet? One of
the hallmarks of Rosie's show, which no doubt played well in Peoria, was
her supposed crush on Tom Cruise - though she didn't dare let on that she might have
crushes on famous women. Like Kathie Lee, she talked incessantly about her
children, but said nothing about her live-in mate and co-parent. Rosie
knew what Liberace and other famous occupants of the glass closet have
always known: there are plenty of people out there who so deeply do not
want to believe that their favorite star is queer that, unless you say the
words, they won't ever get it, your own glaring giveaways and the supermarket
tabloids notwithstanding.

So it's understandable, then, that some gay people think it's nice that Rosie is finally saying the words now that her show is ending - but still ask, What about all those struggling gay teens who could have
benefited during the years that her show was riding high, while those same
teens' own moms were watching the show and while Rosie was spinning out
yarns about Tom Cruise?

Rosie already has some quips lined up to shoot down such criticism.
She reportedly wisecracked at the Caroline's benefit that "the gay Nazis"
have been on her case about her Cruise ruminations (and she now claims she
never meant she wanted to "blow" him - though for anyone who watched the
show, it certainly seemed she wanted that and more). But one thing even
Rosie can't deny or slough off with a joke is that if it weren't for the
"gay Nazis" - people like former Talk editor Maer Roshan (back when he was
an editor at New York), Voice columnist Michael Musto and others in the
media who've been critical of her subterfuge - Rosie probably wouldn't be
taking this step at all. In the past, the responses from her and her
people in fact showed that the criticism annoyed and embarrassed her. And
according to what some of her friends have said in the media, the critics
perhaps even made her feel a bit guilty, too. Surely Rosie realized that
the only way the critics - and the tabloid outings - would stop is if she
just came out.

So three cheers for the gay Nazis. And three cheers for Barbara
Walters, too, who has emerged in all of this as today's outing warrior
extraordinaire - she knows a ratings-grabber when she sees it - not to
mention as an even bigger prima donna than ever before. I didn't think
anything could top her interrogation of poor, doe-eyed Ricky Martin in
September of 2000: "You could say, as many artists have, 'Yes, I am gay,'
or 'No, I'm not.' I don't want to put you on the spot - but it's in your
power to do it." (Alas, Martin didn't crack.) But then, with the Rosie
coming-out affair, Walters outdid herself, as she and Diane Sawyer gave us
the greatest TV diva duel since Joan Collins and Linda Evans slugged it out
on Dynasty back in the 80s. Except, in a sign of the times, they weren't
fighting over a man - they were fighting over a lesbian.

Though they've both denied any animosity between them, Walters
reportedly was miffed that Sawyer got the Rosie coming-out interview. So,
the story goes, Walters picked up the phone, called up Rosie to get the
dirt and then, on The View weeks before Sawyer's Primetime Thursday Rosie
interview, Walters confirmed the rumors and announced Rosie's plans to take
up the adoption issue, stealing Sawyer's thunder.

There was a time not long ago when you couldn't get journalists to
report on gay public figures who were already out, let alone get them to
push the closeted ones to fess up. Now they're undermining one another to
be first with the homo scoop. That, I guess, is progress too.

Michelangelo Signorile can be reached at www.signorile.com.

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Taree: ah'm, yo' know...
Willer: Whut in tarnation?
Taree: Yourn...

[This message has been edited by La (edited March 06, 2002).]

[SiWangMu]

I think this is definitely a great thing-- Rosie's coming out, I mean, in terms of her image as a mother and a respected figure for middle class America especially. There's just one thing--wouldn't it be nice if she could come out without it seeming like "openly gay" and "nice" are contradictory terms? Coming out at the show by saying "I'm tired of being nice" and then making sexual references, etc... this can only lead to people who might condemn her for her orientation additionally disapproving of her conduct. What I'm trying to say is that it feels something like the announcement we're getting is "I'm not squeaky-clean Rosie, I'm a dirty lesbian." I feel it would just have more impact if it was "I'm the same mostly-squeaky-clean person you've all come to love, but I'm a lesbian, too!"

That said, she's human, and she gets to conduct her affairs any way she likes. If she's tired of being nice, that's her prerogative, but in terms of the public relations or overall impact of Rosie coming out, I'd just rather she not spoil it by reinforcing lots of stereotypes along the way.

But anyway, good for her!

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"I think this line's mostly filler"

"Tara: I do not know in other things concerning everyone, but, the chicken is loved."

[theatremouse]

quote:

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Originally posted by ArtemisEcstasy:
I read somewhere that the producers for W&G wanted to change the script and make Rosie's character straight, and she insisted that they don't. I have to say I'm really glad that she's coming out. I think that she can have a good effect on a lot of people's perceptions, especially when it comes to gay people as parents.

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i actually doubt that article (or wherever you read it) is accurate, but for the only reason that they wrote the part for rosie, and then she accepted it, so why would they want to change that huge portion of the script, and plot, if they intentionally wrote the character with her in mind, for her to play, and then got her to play it. it just strikes me as silly. but anyway.... on the tom cruise note, actual quote from Rosie: "I said I wanted him to mow my lawn and bring me lemonade; I never said I wanted to have sex with him."
peace out!

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It's horrible! That's me as a vampire. I'm so evil and... skanky. And I think I'm kinda gay.quote:

[Dazey]

quote:

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Originally posted by SiWangMu:
wouldn't it be nice if she could come out without it seeming like "openly gay" and "nice" are contradictory terms?

---

Your point is well-taken...but "nice" in this context means, I think, not so much "caring, kind, compassionate" but "conforming to the values of middle America and the Religious Right". Which no one who is openly gay can possibly be.

And this is from the NY Press article transcribed above: "What about all those struggling gay teens who could have
benefited during the years that her show was riding high...?" What always grates my cheese about stuff like this is, and pardon my French, it's her. fucking. life. Just because she is gay does not mean she is obligated to be a role model to "struggling gay teens". Yeah, it would be cool if she had been. But she chose not to, and none of us has even remotely the understanding of her personal life necessary to forming a judgement about this choice.quote:

[drlloyd11]

Ok, this sounds crappy.. This is from a tabloid the star, but that doesnt mean its not true.

The Star: Rosie Loses Foster Child Because She's Gay
World Entertainment News Network
03.06.02

Chat-show queen ROSIE O'DONNELL lost custody of her foster child MIA because American authorities discovered she's gay.

O'Donnell has only publicly declared her sexuality - despite it being rumoured for some time - but, according to American tabloid THE STAR, authorities found an adoptive couple for the 4-year-old in January (02) prompted by the revelation.

A source says, "She was shattered beyond words that she wasn't allowed to adopt Mia.

"All she wanted was to share her love with a needy child and just because she's gay,the law won't let her. It's appalling."

[VampNo1]

Even though I take the Star with a grain of salt, I think the adoption part is partly true. I've read the reason Rosie gave Diane Swayer the interview is because Diane agreed to talk about changing adoption laws for gays in Florida (at this time gay people can't adopt there). It's suppossed to be a two-part interview where one part will have a disscussion about changing Florida law (there is to be an interview with two gay men trying to adopt), with Rosie's opinion on the topic. The second part of the interview is where I think she will discuss her personal life and finally admit to everyone she is a lesbian.

[Cipher]

(People, please don't use really long unbroken lines of --- (etc) as separators. A line about half as long as Artemisia used would probably suffice and would not push my browser into widening the whole thread page because it refuses to wrap unbroken words (no whitespace) onto the next line. Not everyone uses full-screen IE browser windows, and separator lines like that really don't have to go all the way across--especially if the by-line above it is much shorter.)

It's annoying that The Star lumps it as "American authorities"; it's specifically Florida (and probably some other bass-ackward states) that has the asinine policy and is presumably at fault in this case. Some states are not so ignorant.

Ever since the semi-outing and mention that Florida has such homophobic adoption/foster policies I've been worried about what would happen to her children living in Florida (not sure if that's full-time, part-time, or what); we've heard stories of adoptions being nullified (or potentially so) because the adoptive parent is gay. But I think I read that her adoptions were handled through New York, so even if she lives in Florida with them I don't think Flordia has any jurisdiction to invalidate the adoptions (it'd probably become a federal test case if they tried). But foster care is another matter, and if Mia was through Florida's foster care system they certainly have jurisdiction to remove her and place her elsewhere, as foster care is an on-going temporary situation. Hopefully the national attention will showcase the absurdity of removing her just because Rosie is now (more?) publicly-known to be gay and will help to change the ignorant Florida policies.

[VampNo1]

Just to let anyone who is interested the new People Magazine (March 18 edition), has Rosie on the cover with a smaller picture of her and her partner Kelli Carpenter. The title is "Rosie's Brave Step", basically talking about how happy and in love she is with Kelly, and talks about her decision to come-out.

[theatremouse]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dazey:

And this is from the NY Press article transcribed above: "What about all those struggling gay teens who could have
benefited during the years that her show was riding high...?" What always grates my cheese about stuff like this is, and pardon my French, it's her. fucking. life. Just because she is gay does not mean she is obligated to be a role model to "struggling gay teens". Yeah, it would be cool if she had been. But she chose not to, and none of us has even remotely the understanding of her personal life necessary to forming a judgement about this choice.

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dazey, i'm totally with ya. on that same note, today on her show elaine stritch was telling a story and in it make a comment that secrets can be the death of you, then pointed to ro and said "and this one agrees with me there" and smiled. and rosie then remarked "yeah, and ya know its funny but sometimes you dont realize something was a secret until you say it outloud and all of a sudden there's this reaction, and you stop and go 'oh' ".

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It's horrible! That's me as a vampire. I'm so evil and... skanky. And I think I'm kinda gay.quote:

[shellybean]

question, did anyone see anything on tv yet with Rosie actually talking about coming out? because I want to hear her talking about it but all I've gotten were quotes and stuff. And isn't she going to do an interview for dateline or something?

[VampNo1]

The interview is with Diane Sawyer on Prime Time Live, and the interview airs on March 14.

Edited because I now have the right date.

[This message has been edited by VampNo1 (edited March 08, 2002).]

[Nouvelle]

This weeks US magazine and next weeks People have cover stories and interviews with friends and family of Rosie and Kelli.

[Eyes Without A Face]

Ms. O'Donnell just spoke on CNN.

Other stories that might interest the kittens are also present on that page.

-edited typo-

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Wallpapers
Illegitimi non carborundum!

[This message has been edited by Eyes Without A Face (edited March 14, 2002).]

[Pixie]

Thanks for the link EWAF. I couldn't remember when her interview with Diane Sawyer was and was worried I had missed it. Tonight, Primetime, 9:00-11:00 EST.

[Ryath]

I'm happy for Rosie. I've been a fan of hers since A League of Their Own.

Do you think that her coming out will change the minds of some homophobes or "homouncomfortables"? I mean, Rosie's face is a familiar thing in many family's households...a lot of people must question their take on gays and lesbian in general because of this, you know what I mean?

A lot of people loved Rosie...she's the same person, but now they know she's gay. I really hope this is an educating thing for some people.

[Kalita]

Well, in case you were wondering on the 'does anybody not know?' issue...

I was just down at the corner grocery grabbing some lunch. Ahead of me in the line was a little boy (no older than 6) shopping with his older brother. The current issue of People is right at his eye level and he notes to his brother as he points to Rosie, "That lady's gay, you know."

Kid knows his stuff.

[cookie monster]

CNN Talkback live are talking about her right now.
cookie

[eekiboo]

Rene Russo just confessed (teary eyed) that she was raised by lesbians and she's very proud of Rosie for being brave and passionate about being a gay parent! yeah!

don't forget the Rosie interview tonight w/ Diane Sawyer! go Rosie! pax

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Willow and Tara
Willow and Tara's Room

[Pixie]

Wow, how much does Rosie rock!?! She was so articulate, loving, honest and passionate. I loved the things she has said to her children about love and family, and the way her face lit up when she talked about Kelli.

[Bobo's Mom]

My local newspaper had the following headlines today:

"Military gay discharge rate higherst since '87"

"Va. station refuses to air gay kiss"

What a wonderful surprise to come home after a long day at work at see such a fantastic, heart felt interview. I've never been a big fan of O'Donnell, but she won me over tonight, and Primetime Live made me proud with their fair, even handed storylines. The gay male couple was wonderful, and the kids seemed truly happy to live in such a loving home.

I hope Bush takes her up on her offer to come for a visit. It might open his eyes.
BM

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TARA: Willow and I always know how to find each other!
ANYA: With yoga?
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BUFFYBOT: That'll put marzipan in your pie plate, bingo!

[w/tfan]

Hi, new here, and just wanted to say that Rosie was great. Also If you think it is wrong for the state of Florida to not allow the gay couple that was shown during the Rosie interview adopt one of their sons that the state wants to take away from them and be adopted by another family please go here http://www.lethimstay.com/
to e-mail governor Bush and Dept. of Children & Families Secretary Kearney. I think Diane Sawyer(spelling?) said over 90,000 people have already sent e-mails. It's not right to take a child away from the only family he has ever known and that loves him and wants him just because of discrimination.

[shellybean]

Yeah, I just saw the interview on Dateline and Rosie is so awesome! I just love her! I'm glad that she's finally able to come out and be open about her relationship with Kelly. And I'm really glad that she now openly talks about all this, especially the whole adoption thing because she's such a great speaker.

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Willow: "Besides, spells going awry, friends in danger...I'm really nothing special."
Tara: "No, you are"
Willow and Tara's first real conversation - "Hush"

"Hear that baby? You're my always"
Willow to Tara - "Tough Love"

"HEY! You're gonna back off! She said no and thats it, you're not going to make her do something that she doesn't want to. And if you try, you're going to have to go through me. Understood?"
Tara standing up for Willlow and being the protective ex and bad ass - "Older and Far Away"

"Hi Tara, How are you? I was wondering if maybe you want to go out sometime? For coffee? food? kissing and gay love?"
Willow practicing asking Tara out - "Normal Again"

[dusty]

I was a little annoyed that Rosie said she hopes her kids turn out to be straight. I mean, of course I'm sure she'll accept them no matter who they are, but I was less than pleased with the way she stated it. She said it was because being straight is easier in our society, but I felt like she was saying that the straight lifestyle is a lot more desirable.

[Banshee]

quote:

---

Originally posted by dusty:
I was a little annoyed that Rosie said she hopes her kids turn out to be straight. I mean, of course I'm sure she'll accept them no matter who they are, but I was less than pleased with the way she stated it. She said it was because being straight is easier in our society, but I felt like she was saying that the straight lifestyle is a lot more desirable.

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Well isn't it? It's shoved down our throats and, literally, bashed into our brains that if you are outside the normal or defy your gender role in ANY way, then you're different. If the homophobia(notice there's really no 'heterophobia') that exists in this country were to be eliminated, then I don't think she would have answered that question the way that she did--but, I also don't think that the question would have even needed to be asked.
But, maybe I'm just projecting--getting bashed a couple of times kind of puts things into perspective for you about how uneasy your life can be because of your sexuality.

-S

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"Believe me I don't want to go,
And it'll grieve me 'cause I love you so
But we both know..."quote:

[Hugin]

I've heard of black parents expressing the idea that it would be so much easier for thier children if they were white. They don't hate being black. They just recognize how hard is is to be black sometimes in this society, and parants can border on psychotic in thier desire to protect thier children from any harm or hardship. I have some issues with Rosie, but she did say if she had the choice for herself, she'd still be lesbian.

-len

[Warduke]

It was a great interview, not perfect but all and all, it rocked, really shows how people are still so stupid in this day and age, but that's no big surprise now is it?

[Web Warlock]

I never was a big fan of Rosie, the person, but I always found her stand up and movies to be funny. But I liked last night's interview.

The important thing I got out of it is she seems like a great mom. Her kids will be fine as long as some dickhead senator doesn't get a hair up his ass and try to get a law passed to make it even harder than it alreay is for gay/lesbian couples to adopt.

About wishing her kids would grow up straight. I'll admit, I might lack the perspective here, but it seemed to me it was no different than her saying "I wish my kids grow up really smart, because this world is easier to deal with if you have a good education." or wishing her kids stay off of drugs, or don't join a freaky cult.

I saw what growing up was like for my brother, he had it rough and it took him nearly 20 years to come out. My wife's sister still hasn't to anyone but her, and she still wont talk about it. Call me selfish, but that is pain I'd like to avoid for my son. I also never want him to break a bone, or get cut, or his heart broken.
But I have no control over any of those things. I'm a parent, I am supposed to have unrealistic expectations.

Warlock.

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Web Warlock
web.warlock@attbi.com webwarlock@planetadnd.com
Author, the Netbooks of Witches and Warlocks
The Other Side: http://www.xtreme-gaming.com/theotherside/
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The FanCC: http://www.enworld.org/fancc/
--
"And remember, if you hurt her, I will beat you to death with a shovel.
A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend." - Willow.

[PandoraSpocks]

I was impressed by the interview and learned how stupid their law is. Let me get this straight (no pun intended) A gay couple can have a child as long as their sick or dying and they can foster as long as they want, but no adopt. That's just plain silly

[Kiwiccan]

Does anyone know of any transcripts floating around on the net from this interview?

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Paula
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May the Amber Force be with you.
Keeper of my own insanity