British government-sponsored site accidentally "outs" Kevin Spacey

[Ian David]

Kevin Spacey outed -- then inned -- by U.K. Web site

Kevin Spacey was an out gay man -- that is, until last Thursday.

Throughout his career, the Oscar-winning star of "American Beauty" and "The Usual Suspects" has been notoriously tight-lipped about his orientation. But that didn't stop the LGBT Project, a U.K. organization funded in part by the British government, from placing him on a list of famous LGBT people.

Spacey appeared alongside such out and proud luminaries as Oscar Wilde. The U.K. Department of Education recommends the site to educate British schoolchildren about LGBT History Month, which takes place in February in Britain. The department is said to have given $35,000 to the LGBT Project.

Organizer Paul Patrick stated, "We double-check our material carefully, but Mr. Spacey's name got through. I don't know how; it will be withdrawn. It should not have happened, and we apologize."

Spacey, 46, lives in London and is the artistic director of its Old Vic Theater. The British press went wild with rumors of his orientation when he refused to report a 4:30 a.m. mugging in a South London park. Spacey said he had tripped over his dog while in pursuit of a man who had taken his cell phone.

This isn't the first time the actor's been called gay. In 1997, Esquire magazine "pseudo-outed" him in a cover story entitled "Kevin Spacey Has a Secret," which began, "I mean, my mother knows. Or thinks she knows. Or supposes. Or suspects."

More:
http://www.planetout.com/entertainment/news/?sernum=1157&navpath=/entertainment/

On Planet K-PAX, "sexual orientation" has no meaning.

[DRoseDARs]

1. Wait, is "tripping over a dog" some sort of code for "I'm a flaming queen"

So he didn't file a report about the mugging. So what? That's his right if he so chooses. How the hell do you get from declining to file a police report to "He's Gay" splashed all over the tabloids?

[Ian David]

2. Apparently, it was a "gay park." Still, it's a big stretch and...

he deserves his privacy, since he most certainly is not an anti-gay bigot.

[joeybee12]

3. True, but since it is pretty much "out there" that he is gay,

he should just come out. After all, he doesn't get really leading man roles, not the Brad Pitt types at least. Doubt it will hurt his career.

[Ian David]

4. You know who else isn't "Out"?

Barry Manilow
Sean Hayes
Paul Schaffer
Ricky Martin

If they are gay, then since they aren't hippocrites bashing gay rights, they deserve to keep it a secret if they wish.

Then again, maybe Sean Hayes might be a different case. Some people argue that he is exploiting gays, and should come clean about which side (or sides) of the fence he plays on.


Is Barry Manilow gay? : BESTANDWORST.COM
and other insensitive remarks out side of chapels where a gay funeral is held. Also they protested a Barry Manilow concert, but as far as I knew he hasn’t ...
http://www.bestandworst.com/62/guessing-manilow-62199.html

Barry Manilow: 'I've always wanted to marry Elton John' | News ...
... Defining Gay Culture | Out.com ... Barry Manilow had a confession to make at
the October 10 Society of Singers' annual Ella Awards. ...
http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid21675.asp

[joeybee12]

5. NO! Ricky Martin is gay!

Who would have thought??????

Yes, that is sarcasm.

it's their decision if they want to styay in the closet, but I just think most of these guys (except Ricky) would be doing "the cause" a favor by coming out.

[Jella]

6. Coming out gay does hurt their careers...

more especially for gay men. It'd be nice if they could, but I respect their right to privacy.

[joeybee12]

8. Agreed, it might hurt most...but unitl people start coming out and letting

it hurt their careers, we'll never get to the point where it WON'T hurt the careers of actors who come out later.

Anyway, welcome to DU.

[William769]

7. This is the 21st Century

The "closet" is so passe. If they want to stay in the closet I won't out them. I just think it's a crying shame that people in the closet reap the benefits of those who are not & fighting the good fight.

[SushiFan]

11. I agree with you William

There are far too many chickenshit queens in the closet having their cake and eating it too.

Look at Tab Hunter and Richard Chamberlain. Came out after they were retired and no one could give a flip if they were gay or not. What good does that do for the gay rights movement? People like these need to grow a set, if you ask me.

This reminds me of all the gay men who act really butch and workout and try to "pass" and yet at the same time scream that swishes and nellies don't portray the ideal gay stereotype.

EXCUSE ME, but if it weren't for the nellies and the swishy queens, NONE of us gay people would be where we are today. We'd still have the local police shutting down our meeting places and such.

The girls can't help but be out. But the REAL gay heroes are these girls AND the other out gays who are working each and every day to make life easier for all of the rest of us.

[Meldread]

9. I respect people's privacy.

I believe we should always respect people's privacy. The only exception to this rule is the privacy of those who pry into the private lives of others. After all, if someone is willing to pry into the life of someone else, surely they don't mind being exploited in the same way?

I think it would be great if more famous gay people stood up and came out. But you know what... if they don't, that's fine too - it's their choice and their life. Shame on anyone who tries to force someone else to do something that they either aren't mentally or emotionally prepared to do.

Tabloid papers are, to be blunt, the scum of the earth. I have no interest in other people's lives, with the exception of those I care about (which would also extend to include the general well being of others), and the whole movie star gossip just doesn't interest me in the least. I find it boorish, childish and moronic. I do not care who is wearing what to the Oscars or the Golden Globes. I don't even know when the Oscars or Golden Globes are held - I just don't care.

I think I've come to the conclusion that those who are more concerned about the way somebody is dressed for some awards ceremony than say, public education, are bottom feeders that are pulling society down. (To be blunt once again, not to mention run way off topic.)

[xchrom]

10. it's his life -- i'll show some respect and let him

live as he wants.