Link (http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/zwecker/1914854,meredith-baxter-reveal-lesbian-120109.article)

It's just a coincidence Meredith Baxter recently appeared in the Hallmark Channel's ''Bound By a Secret,'' but ironically the actress reveals a very personal secret on ''Today'' Wednesday morning.

Baxter, perhaps best known for her seven years playing TV mom Elyse Keaton on ''Family Ties'' in the 1980s, will be the latest star to come out of the closet, revealing she is a lesbian.

While Baxter's spokesman, Howard Bragman, declined to comment on the story Tuesday, a solid source confirmed the actress will talk about her decision to go public on the NBC morning show.

Married three times and the mother of five children, Baxter is the focus of a current National Enquirer story revealing that the former Emmy nominee had been on a ''Sweet Caribbean Cruise'' specifically targeted to lesbians -- a cruise also taken by openly gay actress Kelly McGillis. According to the Enquirer report, Baxter was ''traveling with a female friend, and seemed very relaxed and comfortable.''

In another intriguing twist, the official Web site of the Meredith Baxter Fan Club states the actress is ''noted for her accessible portrayals of intelligent, independent women who struggle with the challenges before them.''

• Following in the footsteps of her aunt, ''All About Eve'' star Anne Baxter, Meredith first found fame in the 1970s, co-starring on TV's "Bridget Loves Bernie" with David Birney, who would later become her second husband. She went on to receive two Emmy nominations for playing Nancy Lawrence Maitland on the esteemed TV drama ''Family.''

After her long '80s run with ''Family Ties,'' Baxter directed and starred in a long list of TV movies, including the CBS after-school special ''Other Mothers,'' in which she played a lesbian mother raising a young son -- a performance that garnered a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1993.

• The appearance on ''Today'' is something of a mini-reunion for Baxter, who temporarily co-hosted with Matt Lauer in 2006.

• Baxter's five-year marriage to Robert Lewis Bush ended in 1971, a union that produced two children. The actress and Birney are the parents of three children. After 15 years of marriage, the couple divorced in 1989.

Good for her! I think that its great that she's doing this. :)

Wow... I had no idea! Kudos to Meredith for coming out at this point in her long and successful career!

:eek2: WOW - I had no idea, either!!

Go Meredith!!!

I just heard about this on XM. I do remember seeing that special Other Mothers years ago on HBO. HBO for awhile aired CBS after school specials.

I had no Idea

I saw this and I was flabbergasted! That was a surprise I didn't see coming.

But whatever the case is...Go Meredith!!

I have to say I was shock when I saw it on MSNBC

Here's Meredith's interview on The Today Show.

http://www.popeater.com/2009/12/02/meredith-baxter-gay/?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl2|link4|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.popeater.com%2F2009%2F12%2F02%2Fmeredith-baxter-gay%2F

Right on, Meredith! Continued happiness to you.

Thanks for posting The Inviewer

I always thought that Meredith Baxter was an attractive woman who could have any man she wanted. However since she is not into men, to each his own I suppose.

Wow, this came as a shock.

link (http://www.click2houston.com/entertainment/21783142/detail.html)

'Family Ties' Actress Says She's A Lesbian
Meredith Baxter Says She Had 'Later-In-Life Recognition'

Posted: Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Updated: 12:27 pm CST December 2, 2009

AP Photo/Richard Drew
Meredith Baxter

New York -- Meredith Baxter, who played mother Elyse Keaton on the 1980s TV series "Family Ties," has revealed that she is a lesbian.

"I am a lesbian, and it was a later-in-life recognition of that fact," the 62-year-old actress said in an interview Wednesday on NBC's "Today" show.

Baxter said she has been in a relationship with her girlfriend, a general contractor, for four years.

"Some people are saying, were you living a lie? And, you know, the truth is, not at all. This has only been in the past seven years," she said.

Baxter has been married three times, including to David Birney, her co-star on the '70s TV series "Bridget Loves Bernie." She is the mother of five children.

Baxter said she is "extraordinarily happy" and the support from her family and friends was immediate and unqualified.

NBC is owned by General Electric Co.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Good for her on coming out publicy. That does take a lot of guts.

http://www.lilmora.com/picture.php?albumid=6&pictureid=30

http://www.lilmora.com/picture.php?albumid=6&pictureid=30
Wow, such words of.....wisdom.



RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT. :rolleyes:




Isn't it interesting that too many people have too much of a vested interest in what people do in their private lives while claiming to speak for "morality" and "decency"? Eyes on the mental keyhole.

I always thought that Meredith Baxter was an attractive woman who could have any man she wanted. However since she is not into men, to each his own I suppose.
That's always been my thought. She and Michael Gross were always making out on Family Ties, and had a real chemistry. Plus, she convincingly played the blond bombshell Nancy Lawrence Maitland on Family - who all the guys lusted after, and she seemed to revel in the attention. So that's why it came as a surprise to me. But I'm not casting any aspersions - what she does behind closed doors is her business. So, I wish her all the best.

That's always been my thought. She and Michael Gross were always making out on Family Ties, and had a real chemistry. Plus, she convincingly played the blond bombshell Nancy Lawrence Maitland on Family - who all the guys lusted after, and she seemed to revel in the attention. So that's why it came as a surprise to me. But I'm not casting any aspersions - what she does behind closed doors is her business. So, I wish her all the best.
Well, as she has said, this was a pretty recent development in the past several years. She realized that she was gay a little later in the game. It's like many experts say, one's sexuality is not so clearly defined. I imagine that there will be other currently official heterosexual celebrities who will come to that discovery about themselves being homosexual in time.

I really respect her courage in going public and wish her all the best. :)

She was smart to come out herself because no telling what the tabloids would have done with this news first.

http://www.lilmora.com/picture.php?albumid=6&pictureid=30
That is such a rude thing to post. Being gay and acting upon it is not weird and unnatural. I think it's funny how people think being gay is weird, but they don't think that criticizing people for something they can't help(being gay that is) is weird. :rolleyes:

She was smart to come out herself because no telling what the tabloids would have done with this news first.
Exactly. She had a chance to tell her own story in her own words, and I respect her for her honesty.

She was smart to come out herself because no telling what the tabloids would have done with this news first.
unfortunately it was due to that little rat bastard Perez Hilton that she was forced into coming out...

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/colleen-raezler/2009/12/02/family-ties-mo m-coming-out-political-act

By Colleen Raezler | December 2, 2009 - 15:36

Meredith Baxter, known for her role as the liberal matriarch Elyse Keaton in "Family Ties," came out as a lesbian this morning on NBC's "Today."

Baxter told host Matt Lauer that she's a "very private person" and "not a very political person," but that she understands coming out "is a political act."

"My understanding is that so much research has been done that says that if anybody knows someone who is gay or lesbian, then when they are addressing gay or lesbian issues, political issues that affect their rights, they're less likely to vote against them, to take away their rights," Baxter explained.

"If you knew me before, and you cared about me before, I'm the same woman," Baxter continued. "I'm the same mother to all these children. And if I can be that lesbian you now know, okay, well if I vote this way, than, than that actually might affect this person I know, that Meredith."

Good for her! This is a good lesson that stereotypes aren't always true.

Tonight, on a "very special episode" of Family Ties...:eek:

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/colleen-raezler/2009/12/02/family-ties-mo m-coming-out-political-act

By Colleen Raezler | December 2, 2009 - 15:36

Meredith Baxter, known for her role as the liberal matriarch Elyse Keaton in "Family Ties," came out as a lesbian this morning on NBC's "Today."

Baxter told host Matt Lauer that she's a "very private person" and "not a very political person," but that she understands coming out "is a political act."
Why do politics always seem to come up while celebs talk about issues like homosexuality? Why does coming out always have to be a "political act"? :confused:

I'm not sure why politics are brought up when someone voices their dating choice. I think politics is best left for the politics board.

Why do politics always seem to come up while celebs talk about issues like homosexuality? Why does coming out always have to be a "political act"? :confused:

Well, it is sort of a "political act" since same sex marriage is illegal in many states, though it certainly should not be. The Bush presidency was totally against same sex marriage. Meredith may find someone that she wants to marry, and in many states that is against the law. So a person coming out is very much a political act. However, as stated above, it really should not be. If a person finds another person to love and care for, someone they wish to spend their life with than they should be able to.

I remember Baxter from her "Bridget Loves Bernie" days, through the "Family" years and up into and beyond "Family Ties".

I'm sure it's always difficult to "come out" like that, though I imagine her celebrity affords her a bit of a shield, i.e. she can pretty much surround herself with those who understand and won't judge, unlike say, someone who is poor or lives in a small town, or both.

Regardless, good for her and I hope she's happy. :)

I decided to visit this site today, http://www.americansfortruth.com/, and the news was the first thing I saw!

Why do politics always seem to come up while celebs talk about issues like homosexuality? Why does coming out always have to be a "political act"? :confused:
Some people try to bring politics into everything. :ohno:

I don't really care if Meredith is a lesbian or not. She was great on FT and that's all I care about. I still think her and Michael Gross were the best sitcom married couple. They had great chemistry together.

Some people try to bring politics into everything. :ohno:

I don't really care if Meredith is a lesbian or not. She was great on FT and that's all I care about. I still think her and Michael Gross were the best sitcom married couple. They had great chemistry together.
:yeahthat

I decided to visit this site today, http://www.americansfortruth.com/, and the news was the first thing I saw!
Wow, slow news week.


So how come there happen to be so many closet homosexuals in the evangelical movement, by the way?

Oh yeah, Meredith Baxter just did all this lesbian bit just to get us all ticked off.

ohno:

Why do politics always seem to come up while celebs talk about issues like homosexuality? Why does coming out always have to be a "political act"? :confused:
It seems that Meredith Baxter stated that coming out was a political act, in the sense that voting impacts gay rights. Bush and Obama have the same stance on gay marriage, in that they're both against it. I guess they're both for civil unions only. Seems close-minded to me.

It seems that Meredith Baxter stated that coming out was a political act, in the sense that voting impacts gay rights. Bush and Obama have the same stance on gay marriage, in that they're both against it. I guess they're both for civil unions only. Seems close-minded to me.
Yeah, I think I see what you mean. To each his/her own!!

link (http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20324019,00.html)

http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2009/news/091214/baxter.jpg
Credit: Landov

Family Ties Costar Supports Meredith Baxter's Coming Out
Originally posted 12/03/2009 08:00AM

The first person to laud Meredith Baxter for her decision to come out publicly as a lesbian is her TV husband, Michael Gross.

"She's one of my favorite people in the world, and I'm just thrilled that it's no longer a secret, and that's about the size of it," says Gross, who played the dad on the 1980s sitcom Family Ties. "I'm just thrilled this has happened because now my wife and I don't have to hide this from everybody we know. Occasionally people will say to us, 'Hey, Michael, you still see your costar? How's she doing? Is there a man in her life?' "

Gross, 62, and his wife have known about Baxter's sexuality for four years, and he counts the actress, also 62, among his best friends – they last saw each other in July, at a Family Ties reunion dinner. Baxter and longtime girlfriend Nancy Locke, a building contractor, are a wonderful couple, he says.

"It seems to be a seamless melding of individuals and families. Meredith's children are very accepting of this and I myself have met Meredith's partner on numerous occasions," Gross says. "I've traveled with them. She's just a first-rate individual – and I like her a lot. My wife does, as well."

Baxter, he says, has been fairly open about being a lesbian.

"She has been, particularly in Los Angeles," he says. "When we go out together, she travels with her partner. I've seen [them] hold hands in public. She's never made an issue of hiding it. I think in some ways, Meredith is more comfortable with this because who wants to live as someone other than yourself?"

"As far as I'm concerned it was pretty old news," Gross adds with a laugh.

Did he know even when she was married? Would be odd if he did, and if she would have discussed it back then with anyone, sas she herself may not have been sure.

I had no idea that Meredith was gay. I remember that David Cassidy was hot for her, or at least mentioned her as being very attractive to him. I wonder if he learned some time back?

"Bridget Does Not Love Bernie" or "Bridget Loves Bridget," possible titles for a remake of her old series (sorry, no offense, and I know those are bad!).

By the way, I'm a big fan of Meredith's mom, the late Whitney Blake. They're both exceptionally beautiful.

good to see that The Co-Star's are Supporting Meredith Baxter

I know that it must have been Hard for her to Decided to Reveal she is a Lesbian

Did he know even when she was married? Would be odd if he did, and if she would have discussed it back then with anyone, sas she herself may not have been sure.

I don't think even she knew back then. She said something of the sort in People . It's great that they are so close that she trusted him with such a personal secret and now that it's out, he doesn't feel like it's a big deal. Hard to find people like that these days!

It doesn't surprise me - Michael Gross has always stuck me as a very sweet, compassionate man. Plus the FT cast has always been pretty close-knit, so I'm not surprised at all that they've rallied around Meredith. The one that REALLY needs help from FT now is Brian Bonsall. I wonder if anyone from the cast is even in touch with him these days.

In the article it said he's only known for 4 years

This was a huge surprise to me, never saw this one coming. Wow :eek2:

I think it's great that Mr. Gross is supporting her. It's not a surprise because most Hollywood folk are pretty liberal, but still, it's nice to see casts of shows that are still close and caring many years after the show has ended. :)

A while back, I posted a message on this very topic on the "Mad About You" page. I called my thread, "Is Anne Gay?". You might be amazed by some of the responses that this thread got! Now that I learned this news about Meridith, a while new world of possbilities have opened up! Because of this, I went to that page this very evening and brought that thread to the top of the page. I would be very interested in what any of you think of it!

I had no idea that Meredith was gay. I remember that David Cassidy was hot for her, or at least mentioned her as being very attractive to him. I wonder if he learned some time back?

"Bridget Does Not Love Bernie" or "Bridget Loves Bridget," possible titles for a remake of her old series (sorry, no offense, and I know those are bad!).

By the way, I'm a big fan of Meredith's mom, the late Whitney Blake. They're both exceptionally beautiful.

hi dont want interupt but whos the blonde girl in your avator in gray jumpsuit holding her hair she looks cute thought id ask

http://www.sandiego6.com/entertainment/story/Meredith-Baxter-getting-married/jysFsZZz7UOyZ6p1NI5Fiw.cspx?rss=804

Former Family Ties star Meredith Baxter is reportedly set to wed her longtime partner, after revealing she's gay during a recent interview.

The actress, who has been married three times, 'came out' to People magazine in November and confessed she had been secretly living as a lesbian for seven years.

The 62-year-old revealed she has found love with building contractor 54-year-old Nancy Locke, who she moved in with in 2007.

And now the couple are set to make their union official, according to the National Enquirer.

An effort to legalize gay marriage in Baxter's home state of California was recently defeated, and the couple reportedly plan to go elsewhere.

A source says, "They're talking about getting married either in Canada or Massachusetts."

Copyright WENN.com

I'm glad she finally came out. :)

Sorry it took me a few days to get back to you. That's ESPN reporter Erin Andrews in my avatar.

Having come out in the pages of PEOPLE earlier this month as a real-life lesbian mother, Meredith Baxter – who played the popular TV mom Elyse Keaton on the '80s sitcom Family Ties – will now put her entire story to paper.

This week, the Broadway Books imprint of Crown Publishing Group announced it had acquired a yet-to-be-written, yet-to-titled memoir by Baxter, who "will present a fully realized portrait of her life as an actress, mother of five children and grandmother, and will candidly discuss her fight with breast cancer, her 19 years of sobriety, entrepreneurship and her decision to come out," says the publisher, reports The New York Times.

Before Baxter, 62, first started dating women seven years ago, the thought of being gay "had never crossed my mind," she told PEOPLE. Having been in three failed marriages to men (most famously to actor David Birney), the actress and skin-care company operator – who is now in a four-year relationship with building contractor Nancy Locke – said of her many difficult years before coming out, "I was never comfortable with myself."

http://www.people.com/people/news/0,,,00.html

It sounds interesting - I'd read it!

Good Luck on her Book

I'm sure her book will be interesting.

Wow!! This IS a surprise!!!!