Comments on: Withers: Harry Potter is the man and the Queen is not talking

By: Gene Tauber

Gene Tauber — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:08:47 +0000

Good for Daniel. So what about Latifah? Damned if you do. Damned if you don’t. If she would have made a big deal about going to a gay establishment, some would have accused her of self-aggrandizement. She certainly has never shied away from working with or associating with gays. She would have never made “Hairspray” were that the case. (Anyone else ever notice that her civil rights power ballad “I Know Where I’ve Been” could just as easily be about gay rights, save for one line? With Adam Shankman and Marc Shaiman at the helm, that’s no big surprise. Insert Zac Efron comment here _____ .)

As for Radcliffe, he seems like a nice young man who can help show that inclusiveness is mainstream and centrist. Valuing people for their personhood is not a radical trait. I can’t find the quote now, but he was asked about doing the nude scene in Equus and how women and some men might come just to see him naked. He made some remark about hoping that none of them is disappointed, but that they notice his performance with his clothes on too. My brother and I took my boyfriend to see him on Broadway and his performance – clothed and un – was fantastic. Kate Mulgrew could have been replaced with a robot.

I’m not sure about his orientation, but I sort of hope that he is not gay and using this as part of his coming out process. It would be nice to see straight celebs doing more to show they value their GLBT colleagues and friends.

By: Amber Burza

Amber Burza — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:10:39 +0000

But being gay and coming out is much more of a political subject now a days. We are fighting SO hard for political equality at this point that we need ever single ounce of support and normalcy. During the women’s rights movement, it would have been upsetting to hear that women were dressing as men. They would have been hiding who they are. You shouldn’t hide who you are. It is the business of this equal rights movement to know who is with us and who isn’t. Now whether Queen Latifa uses a huge dildo in the bedroom or not, THAT is none of my business. But being gay, as political stance, that is our business.

I don’t mean to offend anyone at all. But I am in total agreement with the late and very great Harvey Milk – “On this anniversary of Stonewall, I ask my gay sisters and brothers to make the commitment to fight. For themselves, for their freedom, for their country … We will not win our rights by staying quietly in our closets … We are coming out to fight the lies, the myths, the distortions. We are coming out to tell the truths about gays, for I am tired of the conspiracy of silence, so I’m going to talk about it. And I want you to talk about it. You must come out. Come out to your parents, your relatives.”

By: Jacquemar

Jacquemar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:31:24 +0000

I think a couple of different people have points here. Queen Latifa’s sexuality is her own business, and if she’s a lesbian and wants to come out, more power to her. She isn’t being hypocritical or attacking the gay community.

Celebrities are under much scrutiny because they’re in the public eye, and are the avatars of the entertainment industry. I think celebrities definitely have to think about their careers when it comes to being openly gay. There are many homophobic people who wouldn’t see a movie or buy an album just because it featured a gay artist.

I do think that it is brave and courageous to be an openly gay celebrity; and I think it’s cool that (especially) gay youth can look at such people as an example or role model. H

However, a celebrity’s own life comes first and it is his/her decision as to whether or not to be openly gay and it’s really no one else’s business.

By: Clint

Clint — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:31:13 +0000

Yes, Ameber, you’re right to some extent. I hate some of these terms “admit” to being gay, or we “suspect” he or she is gay or lesbian. It makes it sound like it’s an accusation against someone for a crime! It’s possible Queen Latifah is just keeping her private life private. However, if she is keeping it private only because she likes women, that is shame for being gay.

By: Leeanne Menses Henry

Leeanne Menses Henry — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:52:51 +0000

Thanks Mario Lavandeira. Everyone loves juicy gossip. Which lesbian club? So I know to avoid it as they cater to breeders.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 07:59:16 +0000

atta boywithered … now your a gosip columnist….LOL
try not to screw this up too!

By: David Moore

David Moore — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:56:06 +0000

For all anyone knows, Queen Latifah went to a club’s lesbian night to be supportive of a friend. She may like the club’s atmosphere. It may simply be the case that she has a fan base at the club. Her appearance in a gay or lesbian establishment is no more an indicator of her sexual identity, than showing up at a synagogue on Saturday makes her Jewish.

As for Daniel Radcliffe, the man is generous and benevolent to the gay community. If only more actors and celebs would be as generous.

By: Facebook User

Facebook User — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 04:08:32 +0000

Who the hell thinks Queen Latifah is straight anyhow? I mean, who besides Dana Owens?

By: Alexa

Alexa — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:50:52 +0000

Amber said: If you don’t admit to something you are either ashamed or embarrassed by it.

I think there are a few more options for why people don’t admit to things. I don’t admit to my coworkers how much $ I make, does that mean I’m embarrassed or ashamed, or just that I don’t think it’s their business?

Staying in the closet doesn’t mean I think there’s something wrong, it may mean I think others may believe there’s something wrong.

By: Trace Eggers

Trace Eggers — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:22:15 +0000

I’m with Gerry and JarinAmin. This is Queen Latifah’s business and her business alone.

The only reason someone should be “Outed” is if they are hypocritical and seek to do harm against others that are gay.

If she’s gay, great. If she’s str8, great. I love her work all the same.