What are the rules on outing celebrities?

[The Backlash Cometh]

Do they become free game if they live a life of hypocrisy?

'Cuz, I'm reading some really outrageous stuff on the Gawker that this retired Disco Queen is having trouble believing. Please, tell me it isn't so.

http://gawker.com/5685811/

On edit: It's about the hypocrisy. He's a Church of Scientologist which, I understand, is opposed to homosexuality.

[saracat]

1. That rumour has been around since Travolta did Grease on Broadway.

That was what, 30 years ago? Before Welcome Back Kotter? I know folks who lived in his apartment building who swear he was gay.If it is true, and it may be, so what? He may be bi, gay or straight. I hope he didn't lie to his wife. All I can say is cheating is cheating and is wrong no mhatter what. Lying is lying as well. There aren't any rules for "outing" anyone but if it is a lie, celebrities have been known to sue and win.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. The man has a popular face, likeable personality and all that

adds in to giving the Church of Scientology credibility. That's what I'm going on about.

[Ian David]

3. Co$ isn't any more anti-gay than many other religions or sci-fi cults.

By this standard, one could fairly "out" anyone who is a Catholic.

[RZM]

4. I usually do not supporting outing anyone

Including celebrities and even political figures. I feel everyone should have the right to keep their sexual/romantic lives private, regardless of anything else that they say or do in public or in private. I'm sure I would concede a few exceptions, but probably not very many. Unfortunately, I think the 'hypocrisy' argument is usually flawed. In the end, I think it is more often used as cover for our much more mundane desire to know the private details of people who are in the public eye -- it's often just about salaciousness and TMZ/tabloid-style intrusions of privacy than it is about anything else -- but you hardly ever hear anybody justify it that way.

[ruggerson]

5. It's pretty common knowledge

in the entertainment industry. I do wonder, tho, how he reconciles the scientology thing in his head.

[hlthe2b]

6. May be true or may be not..

While I can understand wanting to take on the hypocrites, particularly politicians and religious leaders who advocate anti-gay policies, Travolta has never, in my memory, ever said anything of that nature. I have heard nothing to suggest he is homophobic or (despite being a Scientologist) that he promotes any anti-gay measures.

Admittedly, I also take offense at going after someone who does live a fairly private life, despite his celebrity--not to mention the tragedy he endured in recent years with the very public loss of his son. Just my thoughts...:shrug:

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. Thanks, everyone, for well-stated comments.

[jonnyblitz]

8. i only support outing right wing politicians who fight against

gay rights. I don't care if people are hypocrites on this issue otherwise.

[mitchtv]

9. don't out unless they actively fight Gay rights

that's my rule

[RetiredTrotskyite]

10. My Rule Is...

if they are doing no harm to GLBT people or are not being hateful, then leave them be. If they ARE, then out them.

[TheWraith]

11. Reading that article, I have trouble with this guy's claims.

While I suspect the rumors about Travolta are true, this guy seems to claim a little too much information for me to find it really plausible: Travolta's "type," preferences, a detailed sexual history, etcetera. Plus, if Travolta were having as many casual liasons as Randolph claims, it would stand to reason that someone would have sold the story to a tabloid before now. You can't tell me that no one would smuggle a cameraphone into one of those places if it meant a hundred grand payday from the Enquirer.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

12. as far as i know, travolta has not crusaded against homosexuality

so shouldnt really be outed.

a lot of people belong to homophobic religions. should we out them all?