Which of the Soviet celebrities came out & nbsp. Coming out - what is it? Definition, meaning, translation Stars who came out

Not every person will dare to loudly and publicly declare their non-traditional sexual orientation. The story of Kevin Spacey's coming-out received a great response even in the United States, where homosexuality has long been perceived adequately. In Kazakhstan, one of the largest movie theater chains used this story to advertise, offering an annual subscription to Kazakh actors who dare to follow Spacey's example and come out. True, no one has yet confessed. And the actors can be understood: coming out is a serious and important step for an LGBT person ..

# 1. What is coming out?

Coming out . - English)literally means "disclosure", "exit". This expression goes back to the phrase "Сoming out of the closet", that is, "out of the closet." From the same metaphorical closet in which LGBT people often sit, fearing public opinion.

The birth of coming-out as a phenomenon is associated with the activities of fighters for the rights of sexual minorities in the mid-19th century and early and mid-20th century.

The idea of \u200b\u200bcoming out goes back to Karl Heinrich Ulrichs, a German lawyer, journalist and inspirer of the LGBT rights movement. At one time, Ulrichs was dismissed from the district court in Hildesheim due to homosexuality.

He wrote a series of books " Investigation of the mystery of love between men ", in which he proposed a somewhat naive, romantic theory about" uranians ", people who are neither men nor women, but a kind of third sex. Ulrichs considered the love between them to be more sublime than the usual relationship between a man and a woman Despite the fact that Ulrichs mixed the concepts of gender identity and homosexuality in his work, LGBT people appreciate his contribution to the development of the idea of \u200b\u200bcoming out. The scientific term coming out was made by the North American psychologist Evelyn Hooker, who researched the problems of sexual minorities.

The official coming-out day is October 11th. It was on this day in 1987 that 500,000 protesters marched through the streets of Washington in support of the rights of LGBT people.

Of course, coming out is usually associated with the LGBT community. But sometimes this concept is used in other contexts. For example, "alcoholic coming out", "atheist coming out" and even "vampire coming out".

# 2. Loudest coming-outs

Not only Kevin Spacey, but also many other celebrities and even politicians have publicly admitted to being LGBT. In 1988, British actor Ian McKellen (many know him as Gandolph from The Lord of the Rings) admitted to being homosexual on the radio. In 2016, Twilight star Kristen Stewart announced she was bisexual.

In 2014, Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote in his column on Bloomberg Businessweek: “While I have never denied my orientation, until now I have never publicly admitted it. So let me be clear: I am proud to be gay and I think homosexuality is one of the greatest gifts that God has given me. "

Cumming-outs in different years were made by actress Judy Foster, singer Elton John and even the famous Angela Davis. On 6 November 2014, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgar Rinkevich wrote on his Twitter: "Proud to be gay".

No. 3. What is the point of coming out?

Opponents of coming-outs or homophobic people usually say something like: "Do this quietly in the basement, why announce your preferences to everyone." Why is it so important for representatives of the LGBT movement to step out of the shadows? Human rights activists say that coming-out is necessary for a gay, lesbian, bisexual or person with a non-traditional gender identity to declare himself.

Visibility is a step towards legitimacy and acceptance. Thus, the revealed one emphasizes that he is a full-fledged representative of society, and draws attention to the problems of people with the same orientation as his. When someone well-known claims to be a member of the LGBT community, this has a particularly strong effect. Although in this case, one cannot exclude the element of PR and attracting attention.

LGBT-friendly psychologists emphasize the importance of coming-outs to combat stigma. This allows the one who steps out of the shadows to get rid of frustration, constant tension due to the need to hide. Also, coming out allows a person to feel more comfortable and accept themselves as they are.

No. 4. Outing or violent coming out

Outing is when information about a person's sexual orientation becomes public against his will. That is, someone deliberately informs the environment of the LGBT representative about his orientation. This can be done in order to discredit a person if they are in a homophobic environment. Outing can be unintentional, for example, someone close to him saw the corresponding entries in a person's personal diary or unclosed messenger.

No. 5. How to correctly come out

Before coming out, make sure you are sure that it is really necessary at this stage in your life. Don't forget about your personal safety and consider how it can change your life. Remember the importance of coming-out, because you are doing it first of all for yourself, plus thereby expressing your civic position.

If you are going to come out in the family, for example, in front of your parents, then consider their attitude to the topic of homosexuality. If it is negative, then you should not declare your orientation suddenly and abruptly. To smoothly move on to this topic, perhaps you should first prepare the context and try to change the negative attitudes of a loved one. Let the parent read popular science literature about homosexuality or gender identity, watch a film on this topic together. The one who is about to get out of the "closet" also does not hurt to get acquainted with the special literature in order to be able to answer questions if they arise.

Of course, the reaction of loved ones can be unpredictable, so if you are, for example, a minor, it is better to think in advance about where you can go to spend the night in the worst case scenario.

If you intend to come out in front of colleagues, then also weigh the pros and cons. It may be worth starting with a limited number of people with whom you have a good relationship, rather than making a speakerphone announcement.

It is recommended that you refrain from coming out at work if it could pose a serious danger to you, such as the prospect of losing your job, or it could have a serious impact on your professional life.

Coming out should be done in a sober memory and sane mind, remaining cool and firm, ready for any reaction to your statement.

No. 6. Criticism of coming out

The idea of \u200b\u200bcoming out is usually criticized by homophobic communities and anti-gay activists. For example, the Christian organization Exodus International, which even instituted a "National Day Out of Homosexuality" in conjunction with "National Day of Coming Out." In 2013, the organization ceased its activities. And its former leader has made an official apology to the representatives of the LGBT community, admitting that it is impossible to change sexual orientation.

The feminist community has an ambiguous attitude towards coming out. In particular, the queer feminist Judith Butler, in her article "Imitation and Gender Insubordination," argues that the very gesture of revealing a secret is, as it were, a recognition of one's otherness and exclusion from society. Thus, the person who comes out, according to Butler, seems to support that we live in a society where only heterosexual relationships are normal.

No. 7. Coming out symbolism

American artist Keith Haring created the official coming out emblem. This is a picture of a door and a man leaving it. The unspoken anthem of coming out is Diana Ross's song "I" m coming out ".

Needless to say, for the first time a 31-year-old athlete was suspected of being gay after he was seen in the company of kickboxer Badr Hari. It was rumored that the management of Real Madrid even forbade Ronaldo to fly too often to his lover, so as not to antagonize the team of loyal fans of the Madrid club. And the other day, during a verbal skirmish with Atlético football player Koke, after he called Cristiano gay, he immediately replied: "Yes, I'm gay, but I have a lot of money." Western media regarded this as nothing more than the official coming out of the athlete.

Ricky Martin

In the late 90s, Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin was listed as one of the most desirable men in the world. Especially after his fiery dances in the video for the song “Livin“ la Vida Loca. ”For more than 10 years, the performer hid his fans from the multi-million army, including, of course, the fair sex, which he prefers men. Martin made a confession on March 29, 2010, posting on his website a message in two languages, Spanish and English, stating that he was no longer ready to hide the truth and that he was very lucky to be who he is. And literally last week Ricky decided make a marriage proposal to his beloved, London artist of Syrian origin Jwan Joseph, to which he agreed.

Darren Hayes

He became one of the first rap artists to admit that he prefers men. And, oddly enough, the rapper's coming out was supported by colleagues in the music shop. In particular, they say that Beyoncé even dedicated one of her compositions to him.

Ben Whishaw

The star of the film "Perfume" for a long time hid his true sexual preferences. True, every now and then he appeared on the stage and on the screen in the image of a gay man. Whishaw made his come-out in 2013, when he confessed to one of the tabloids that he had been living with Australian composer Mark Bradshaw for more than a year. By the way, many film critics believe that this is what helped Ben get the main role in the biopic about the vocalist of the legendary band Queen Freddie Mercury, who also did not hide that he loves men.

The good wizard Gandalf never hid his gay orientation, however, he officially announced her only in 1988 in one of the radio shows. This did not stop Sir Ian McKellen from getting the knighthood from the hands of the Queen of Great Britain herself and playing a huge number of memorable roles like Magneto in the X-Men movie series or Professor Dumbledore in the adaptation of the Harry Potter novels. In addition, the actor did not give up filming in the TV series "Sinners", where he plays the role of an elderly gay man. By the way, Sir Derek Jacoby, who is also openly gay, became his partner on the site.

Now few people remember, but in the distant 80s, George Michael was known as one of the main ladies' men of Western show business. Then the singer's fans could hardly have thought that after some 15 years he would be involved in a sex scandal and detained by the Beverly Hills police for “participating in indecent acts” (in particular, the performer molested a young man in one of the Los Angeles toilets the person who turned out to be an undercover policeman). After this event, George Michael had to confess his homosexuality.

Summing up the results of 2016, we suggest recalling 10 celebrities who were not afraid to announce their gay sex.

1. Bex Taylor-Claus

Actress Bex Taylor-Klaus, best known for her roles in Murder, Arrow and Scream, officially announced her gay orientation in November this year. Becks told the world about this via Twitter: “Hello! My name is Becks and yes, the rumors are true: I'm a lesbian. " Becks also said that loved ones are aware of her personal life. She revealed the truth on Thanksgiving Day, when the whole family gathered around the table. The actress admitted that it was a very awkward moment.

2. Cristiano Ronaldo

On November 21, Spanish radio station COPE, citing its own sources, broadcast the contents of the conversation of the famous football player of Real Madrid Cristiano Ronaldo in the locker room after the La Liga match with Atlético (3-0), in which the Portuguese made a sensational confession. According to COPE, Ronaldo said: “Koke called me gay. I answered him: "Yes, I'm gay, but I'm very rich, bastard."

3. Tyson Fury

WBA / WBO World Heavyweight Champion Tyson Fury came out on July 18, admitting to homosexual preferences. “I would like to admit: I am gay,” the boxer wrote on his Twitter page. However, fans of the athlete considered this recording a joke. After all, just a few hours before the recognition, Tyson Fury became a father for the second time. What he also shared with his subscribers on the Web, posting his photo with his wife and son from the hospital.

4. Cousin of Queen Elizabeth II

Lord Ivar Mountbatten, 53, publicly admitted his gay orientation for the first time in the history of the British royal family on September 18. Mountbatten decided to come out five years after his divorce from his wife Penelope, with whom he had been married for 17 years. “Penny knew about this before we got married. I told her that I was bisexual, that I was attracted to both women and men. She was understanding and I will always be grateful to her, ”said the lord. It should be noted that Mountbatten has three children and, despite this, he has already started a relationship with the manager of the aviation cleaning service, James Coyle, whom he met in 2015.

5. Elizabeth Gilbert

The acclaimed novel Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert, came out in September. On her Facebook page, the writer announced that she was in love with her best friend Raya Elias. Gilbert was prompted to "emerge from the shadows" by the news that Elias had liver cancer. “Something happened to my mind and heart in the days and weeks when we learned about the Rain diagnosis. Death or its perspective removes everything that is not real, and, standing there, in this strong and absolute reality, I had to face the truth: I do not just love Paradise - I am in love with Paradise. And I no longer have time to deny it, ”Gilbert wrote.

6. Robert Pattinson

In September, one of the famous Indian magazines published an article with an exclusive interview in which Robert Pattinson came out. The actor spoke about his relationship with a man whom he loved very much. In addition, Robert shared his impressions of a joint holiday in the Bahamas. The man, in whom the famous actor fell in love, turned out to be 31-year-old Brad Owens, who works as a model. However, the actor himself did not deny this information.

7. Waylon Smithers

Waylon Smithers from The Simpsons came out and first openly showed his feelings for boss Mr. Burns in early April 2016. Animated series writer Rob Lazebnik, who wrote the episode, stated that he is dedicating the hero's coming-out to his gay son. “I thought the best way to confess my love and support to my son was to create a cartoon about it,” Lazebnik said. He added that he had been hatching the idea of \u200b\u200bcoming out Smithers over the past few years and only then proposed it to his colleagues.

8. Sharon Osborne

In April, Sharon Osborne unexpectedly announced that she was attracted to the female sex and regretted that she never gave vent to these feelings, even in her youth. Ozzy Osbourne's wife came out on the TV show The Talk. “I was convinced that all people are bisexual, like me. I'm not “a little gay,” but would very much like to know what I missed, ”Osborne said. Now Sharon is 63 years old, most of which she is married to Ozzy, and, in her opinion, for some kind of sexual experiments she is already old.

9. Lilly Wachowski

The Matrix director Lilly Wachowski, formerly known as Andy, came out and revealed that she is a transgender woman, like her sister Lana. She wrote a column for the Windy City Times with an ironic headline "Sex Change Shock: The Wachowski Brothers Become Sisters !!!" According to Lilly, her decision to talk about her gender identity is largely due to the threat of outing: for a long time she feared that journalists would talk about her gender identity without her consent.

10. Oscar Zia

A popular singer in Sweden - 19-year-old Oscar Zia - made a public coming out on the day of the start of the national selection for the international Eurovision Song Contest in February. “My parents do not know about this, and it was not easy for me to confess - I kept this secret for a year and a half. At school I thought that with time it would pass, I would find a girl, get married. But now I'm sure of who I really am, ”said Oscar.

Coming out in show business is a common thing, albeit a daring one. For a long time, no one has been ashamed to admit to being homo- or bisexual, since modern society treats sexual minorities condescendingly so that, God forbid, it would not be accused of oppressing their rights. Confession of a non-traditional sexual orientation will not destroy a career, will not take fans away, will not diminish fees and contracts.

So why hide your love preferences and rape yourself in public, making yourself straight? Today we will tell you about celebrities who were not afraid to come out and get along well with their "diagnosis".

Cara Delevingne

Top model with sable eyebrows is still a rebel! There are countless reckless antics in Delevingne's arsenal both on the podium and beyond. In June 2014, Kara confessed her bisexuality, discouraging the public (although many attributed this to a desire to attract attention and stir up interest in her own person). The first woman (at least about whom we know) for Kara was actress Michelle Rodriguez. The girls began dating in early 2014, did not hide tender feelings for each other and did not hide from the paparazzi (the Internet is full of photos of Kara and Michelle hugging and passionately kissing). However, the idyll soon ended - tired of the active Cara's lifestyle, Rodriguez suggested that the model leave, but remain friends.

Delevingne was not sad for long and found solace in the arms of singer Annie Clarke - they began dating at the end of 2014 and broke up in 2016. So far, Kara is in no hurry to plunge into the next relationship, enjoying freedom and partying.

Jodie Foster

Hannibal Lecter's “beloved woman” was raised by a lesbian mother who became such after a painful separation from her husband, so it is not surprising that Jody chose the “wrong” orientation. In 2013, during her speech at the 70th Golden Globes, Foster made an official come-out, although the actress had already announced six years earlier that she had been living with producer partner Sidney Bernard for 14 years. Six months after this confession, the couple broke up. Among other passions of the actress were screenwriter and producer Cindy Mort, actress and singer Sophie B. Hawkins. In 2014, Jody officially registered a same-sex marriage with photographer Alexandra Hedison. The couple are raising two sons Foster - Charles and Christopher, but the public has not yet been able to find out the name of the children's father.

Kristen Stewart

The "Twilight" star was in relationships with men: for five years she dated her partner in the movie "Talk" Michael Angarano, for three years - with Robert Pattinson, and also had a short affair with Rupert Sanders. Apparently, Kristen got tired of explaining to men what she really wants, and the actress decided that only a girl could understand her. In 2016, in an interview, Stewart confirmed the rumors about her sexual orientation, saying that she was dating a certain Alicia Kargile and their relationship had been going on for quite some time. There are also rumors that Kristen is having an affair with model Stella Maxwell. Time will tell whether Kristen's hobby will grow into something big and serious or is it just a stellar whim and a desire to experiment with sex. Let's hope that Stewart's love for the opposite sex was not instilled by her movie mom Jodie Foster (they played mother and daughter in the thriller Panic Room).

Cynthia Nixon

The spectacular tall red-haired actress, who played Miranda Hobbs in the beloved by women "Sex and the City", spent 15 years in a civil marriage with English professor Danny Moses. She even gave birth to two children from him - a daughter, Samantha, and a son, Charles. After completing the main female mission (which, as many people think, is childbirth), Cynthia decided to live for herself, left the professor and switched to the female half of the population of planet Earth. Since 2004, the actress has been in a relationship with educational activist Christine Marinoni.

The women met during one of the protests, in which they participated as parents of students in public schools. In 2009, Christine and Cynthia announced their engagement, in 2011 they had a son, Max, and in 2012, the women legalized their relationship.

Colton Haynes

So charming, attractive and sexy - after the release of the TV series "Teen Wolf" for the first two seasons, the girls' attention was focused on him (well, on Dylan O'Brien, of course). But bad luck, Colton is gay. Girls are absolutely not interested in him, so fans can relax and not try to win this handsome man. The actor came out in May 2016. Nothing is reliably known about his relationship with the guys, but on the Internet every now and then there are spicy photos where Haynes hugs and kisses with representatives of the same sex. Let's hope that the guy will come to his senses and break down the "rear-wheel drive", giving preference to girls, especially since, according to insiders, he had them - Lauren Conrad, Lucy Hale and Holland Roden got into his love networks at different times. True, Colton denies this relationship with might and main, saying that only friendship ties him with these girls (as well as with many others).

Wentworth Miller

It was he who played the brutal handsome Michael Scofield in the series "Escape" and shocked the fans and the public with the recognition of his homosexual orientation, which he made in 2013 ... For a long time, Wentworth did not dare to confess his special sexual preferences and said that he wanted to get married and have children , but due to a tight schedule, he cannot start relationships with girls. Well, it turns out, not because of a tight schedule, but because of homosexual inclinations. According to Wentworth, he knew about his unconventional orientation in his youth and, due to the forced silence, tried to commit suicide. Interestingly, the actor refused to participate in the St. Petersburg International Film Festival due to the Russian law banning the promotion of homosexuality.

Ian McKellen

Master of Shakespeare's repertoire, a real knight, a wonderful actor and ... gay. Yes, yes, Gandalf from the film adaptations of Tolkien's novels prefers men. Ian actively fights for the rights of sexual minorities, does not lose hope of reaching out to the Russian government in order to repeal the law banning gay propaganda (in 2014, he even wrote an open letter to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin with this request). Sir McKellen came out in 1988 during an interview with BBC radio. The actor prefers not to talk about his personal life, but he managed to get some information: for eight years Ian met with a teacher named Brian Taylor, then for 10 years he was in a love relationship with a little-known actor Sean Mathias. McKellen is currently alone; true, maybe we don't know about something ...