Oh No, I've said too much.....

[keltic63]

I haven't said enough

That's me in the spotlight

Michael Stipe has something he'd like to share with the class......

[Alecto]

From what I could tell, he was open enough about having relationships with men, just not so much with identifying as gay? ::shrug::

Either way: yay him and yay publicity.

[Gregory_de_Bois]

I like the part about helping the youngin's out there struggling. Hooray!

[Unmasked]

Very glad to see another man willing to stand in the spotlight.

[Vanessa White]

Kudos to him; I really always had the sense by some things he said; but am glad he is declaring it out and proud, because it really IS about those young people that are coming up and struggling......

[Emproph]

I suppose next week we'll find out that Richard Simmons is gay.

[pnggrad79]

When celebrities come out, I tend to think it is a publicity stunt. Is it just fashionable nowadays to be gay? Will it help sell more CD's? If Michael Stipe is gay, then he needs to get out there and get in the trenches with us and live the life. Most of us aren't wildly rich and famous and it isn't fashionable for us to be gay-it's a struggle!

I am glad he came out, don't get me wrong, but I just have my doubts as to his motivation...

[Vanessa White]

In the case of Michael Stipe, even though some celebs may use it as an opportunity for publicity, I would find it hard to believe that was his motive. He is older, and doesn't seem to ever have wanted to be bothered with that kind of BS. Always done his own thing, even when it was a bit against the grain. I do, however, often think that celebs worry about the same thing many of us worry about in coming out openly- being judged, ridiculed, ostracized..... I think that whether we are famous, infamous, or just plain old ourselves, the idea of being out can be pretty daunting...

[tdogg]

Sometimes the line between a celebrity's work life and home life is not too clearly drawn. When they come out in public, they are coming out in work and that can, and sometimes will, jeopardize their careers. I actually think it's quite brave. Again, depends on the motive, but not being in a position to judge his motive, I feel it's a brave action. We need more people in high-profile positions to come on out of that closet.