MANHUNT Daily

Random Question: When Did You Come Out?

Yesterday was National Coming Out Day, and we thought we'd ask you about your experiences to (belatedly) celebrate the occasion. So what age did you come out of the closet? It seems like kids these days are coming out younger than ever. Before you know it, babies will be popping out of the womb and proclaiming their love for the same sex.

Okay, so maybe that's a stretch. If you're not out at this current point in time, what's stopping you from making that step? Do you even want to be out? We understand that this process isn't easy for everyone, and some don't even want to be a part of it. We just want to hear your story, no matter what it is!

- Dewitt

(Don't) Leave Queen Latifah Alone!

Queen Latifah is a lesbian. It's been said over and over again, to the point that we've accepted this universal truth. Then again, it's hard to believe that she's not actually playing for the queer team. We know about the down low parties and gay bar appearances. And yet she's never downright denied that she munches carpet, but she's never quite confirmed it. The big question on everyone's mind is "Why the hell wouldn't she?"

A part of me wants to respect her wishes to keep her personal and professional lives separate. Then there's that other part of me who so desperately wants someone like Zachary Quinto to come out of the closet. They're both very successful in what they do, and I still believe that confirming public suspicion about their sexuality would have a profound effect on American culture. On the other hand, I get it. Coming out is a fucking hard process, and it's easy to justify to yourself that it's an unnecessary process. Yet I'm still left here wondering... what the hell are they waiting for?

- Dewitt

Family Guy Creator Confirms Stewie's Sexuality

Though it's not exactly any surprise, Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane has finally confirmed that his character Stewie Griffin is gay. Well, sort of. In an interview with Playboy magazine, he revealed, "Ultimately, Stewie will be gay or a very unhappy repressed heterosexual... He has a lot of aggression, which comes from confusion and uncertainty about his orientation."

MacFarlane also mentioned an episode which almost went into production, featuring Stewie traveling back in time to erase the passage in Leviticus that reads: "Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind. It is an abomination." Ultimately, they made the final decision to keep the character's sexuality vague, given that he's only a one-year old.

Now with all this said, what do we make of it? I've always thought the Stewie "gay" jokes were a bit stereotypical and predictable, but it's hard to take it seriously since it's a cartoon and... well, a baby. Do you consider the makers of Family Guy to be for us or against us?

- Dewitt

Why Can't Gay Hollywood Actors Be Open About Their Sexuality?

During a panel at Outfest, openly gay director Todd Holland advised young male actors to "stay in the closet" if they wish to be successful in Hollywood. Kirby Dick, the director of political documentary Outrage, didn't agree with this comment and replied, "I know where you're coming from, but it's a regressive argument." Holland asserted that he was just being realistic.

Dick went on to say he believed that if "an A-list actor came out, it would have more impact on the culture than an A-list politician." While I appreciate his sentiment, I think it's a little ridiculous to assume that Brad Pitt coming out would have more of a cultural impact than Barack Obama doing so. And no, I am not implying that either man is remotely gay.

Since coming out should be a personal process, I understand why outing celebrities is such a touchy topic. With that said, most of these guys would probably be out if their industry didn't encourage them to lie. I do agree with Dick in one respect--an A-List actor coming out would flip the culture of the entertainment industry upside down. It'd show that a man can be open about his sexuality without being pigeonholed into certain roles. If it's all just acting, what's wrong with a gay man playing straight and passionately snogging the hell out of Reese Witherspoon? It'd certainly give a new meaning to the term "straight acting"...

- Dewitt

For this terrible fake nude uncensored, follow the JUMP:

Ricky Martin Comes Out... Sort Of

Ricky Martin has told Puerto Rican magazine TVAqui that "his heart could belong to a man or a woman." Luckily, his ass belongs exclusively to a man. Speculation on Mr. Martin's sexuality began when it was discovered that the singer had two children with a surrogate mother. Oh who am I kidding? Speculation began back when he was in Menudo.

- Dewitt

For some gratuitous shots of Ricky Martin in a speedo, follow the JUMP:

What If Your Parents Asked If You Were Gay?

The ladies of The View discussed the question "Should parents ask kids if they're gay?" As you might expect, there were some divided opinions on this matter. Also, Joy Behar seems to think that playing with girly toys equates to homosexuality. I'm not even going to touch that.

Some of you may have come out to your parents after they inquired about your sexuality. Some of you may have done it on your own. Hell, some of you may not even be out to your parents.

With that said, is there any "right" way for people to come out? And what should a parent's role be in the process?

- Dewitt

Adam Lambert's Rolling Stone Cover

I know we've all been waiting on pins and needles to find out if Adam Lambert is gay or not. All the speculation was just driving me crazy! Okay, none of that was true but if your gaydar is irreparably damaged then the unveiling of Lambert's coming out Rolling Stone cover might actually be news.

His coming out didn't surprise me, and he didn't expect it to, "I don’t think it should be a surprise for anyone to hear that I’m gay. I've been living in Los Angeles for eight years as a gay man. I've been at clubs drunk making out with somebody in the corner...Right after the finale, I almost started talking about it to the reporters, but I thought, ‘I’m going to wait for Rolling Stone, that will be cooler. I didn’t want the Clay Aiken thing and the celebrity-magazine bullshit. I need to be able to explain myself in context. I’m proud of my sexuality. I embrace it. It’s just another part of me....[Ultimately], I’m trying to be a singer, not a civil rights leader."

I feel him on that, we shouldn't expect every out celebrity to be a spokesperson, but I'm glad he's at least out and proud now.

Oh, anyone else think the Britney pose just isn't working for him?

- Andy

Kelis Loves Clothes, Hates Closets

Pop and R&B singer Kelis, known primarily for her hits "Milkshake" and "Bossy", has hopped on Twitter to express her frustrations with closeted men in a series of tweets. Check them out below:

• "I would like to talk about closet homosexuals for just a moment. Let me start by asking, why?....."
• "Gay is gay, no amount of women or fornication will change that and will honestly only make u look stupid. That's just food for thought."
• "We women do not appreciate it or even get it for that matter. We much rather just shop with u! :) closet dwellers you know who you are!"  

One could speculate this is her backhanded way of outing her ex-hubby Nas, though it may just be a general complaint. Aside from that, does anyone think reinforcing the stereotype that "gay men love to pick fabulous outfits" isn't exactly the best method of encouraging men on the DL to come out? 

Perhaps I'm just projecting from my own personal experiences, but I was definitely afraid to come out in high school because I suspected female friends would want me to be the Jack to their Karen. With that said, I'd totally flip a shit if Kelis took me shopping. Hell, I'd even limp my wrist and wear a rainbow thong if she asked me to. Just sayin'.

- Dewitt

For a screen-cap of the Tweets, follow the JUMP:

Gay Kiss on The United States of Tara

From NBC's Kings to The Simpsons, gay plotlines have been popping up everywhere on mainstream television. While I don't think it's necessarily headline news every time a new one airs, I do commend The United States of Tara for their depiction of a budding gay romance.

If you haven't seen the most recent episode, Good As You has a lovely explanation of why this kiss is so much more than a porno music-laden moment of passion you see above.

After the kiss, the gay son (Marshall) is approached by his father to discuss "how bad Marshall has it for the young dude and how strong of a force love can be." His son's homosexuality is entirely a non-issue. Though this may not realistically illustrate the typical father/gay son relationship, it does represent an alternative ideal.

I've heard some terrible coming out stories--everything from fathers disowning their sons to telling them "It's alright, it's not like I've never thought about sucking cock once or twice." What was your experience like? Would you have preferred it to be like the situation above, or did it help you grow as an individual? And if you still haven't made the jump to come out, what's preventing you from doing so? So many questions!

Sidenote: Marshall's father is played by John Corbett, who you may know as Aidan Shaw from Sex And The City. Even more of a reason to tune into Tara! Unfortunately, I suspect that he doesn't spend as much time in his tightie whities on this show.

- Dewitt

LA Times Urges Adam Lambert to Come Out

If you've watched American Idol this season, you know contestant Adam Lambert is just a bit gay. That's assuming your gaydar is at all functional. Well L.A Times columnist Ann Powers is urging Lambert to "open the closet door" in a new article.

Powers writes, "So far, Lambert has been as matter-of-fact about his orientation as possible without actually uttering the word 'gay' on camera... Hidden sexualities on 'Idol' always must be viewed in light of the general discomfort about sex that dominates the show. It's fairly ridiculous that a program designed to create the next major pop star barely lets its participants show leg or sing racy lyrics, especially when the charts are dominated by songs like Flo Rida's 'Right Round' and Lil Wayne's 'Lollipop' -- both fairly blatant celebrations of promiscuity and oral sex."

The article explores sexuality on Idol at greater length and is definitely worth a read.

You can read it here, and watch a performance by Lambert above.

- Andy

For pictures of Lambert in drag and kissing his boyfriend, follow the JUMP: