Geri Jewell is bravely discussing the facts of her life.

The actress, best known for her role in the 80's sitcom 'The Facts of Life' and her numerous turns on Broadway, reveals that she is a lesbian in her new book, 'I'm Walking As Straight As I Can,' to be released soon.

The title doesn't just refer to her sexuality, however -- she also discusses her difficult struggle with cerebral palsy, and the difficult obstacles she had to overcome to make television history as the first recurring role played by a person with a serious disability.

Things got tougher still -- the book talks about her money problems, backstabbing agents, substance abuse and eventual recovery.

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/242096/thumbs/s-GERI-JEWELL-large.jpg

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/28/geri-jewell-a-lesbian-facts-of-life-star-comes-out-in-memoir_n_815253.html

Somehow this doesn't surprise me. But I wish Geri all the best and hope all is OK with her.

It sounds like Geri has finally come to terms with every aspect of her life. Bravo Geri, for being who you are!

She's got a great story. I'd like to read her book when it comes out. Somehow, why does it not surprise me about her coming out as a lesbian? I never really thought about it much before, but when you hear about it, it all makes sense.

I can't imagine what it must have been like to have cerebral palsy and have to deal with the fact that you're a lesbian. No wonder Geri plunged into substance abuse! But it seems as though she's come full circle and is comfortable with herself these days. More power to her!

BTW, was it ever explained why Charlotte Rae disliked her so much...?

At least she beat the paparazzi to it.

I give her credit for coming out on her own and I hope she is doing well. I also liked her work on Deadwood.

I can't imagine what it must have been like to have cerebral palsy and have to deal with the fact that you're a lesbian. No wonder Geri plunged into substance abuse! But it seems as though she's come full circle and is comfortable with herself these days. More power to her!

BTW, was it ever explained why Charlotte Rae disliked her so much...?

I remember reading somewhere that Charlotte didn't dislike her but she didn't see a point of Geri having more appearances on the show.

It was stated that Charlotte Rae had a son with a disability and that seeing Geri may have reminded her of that fact, something about which she may have wanted to personally stay in denial. It seems Charlotte ran warm and cold towards Geri depending on her mood.

It was stated that Charlotte Rae had a son with a disability and that seeing Geri may have reminded her of that fact, something about which she may have wanted to personally stay in denial. It seems Charlotte ran warm and cold towards Geri depending on her mood.
I just wish Lisa wasn't so close-minded about it.

I just wish Lisa wasn't so close-minded about it.
Who said she was? Did I miss something? :confused:

Thanks for posting this. I had no idea she was writing her memoirs. I'm definitely going to get this. I needed a new book and this is someone I have admired a lot. Looking forward to it. :)

Who said she was? Did I miss something? :confused:

I think they meant close minded toward Geri being a lesbian. Lisa had no problem with Geri, I remember reading somewhere that they were roomies for a while.


I can't wait until this book comes out! It will be awesome to read all the behind the scene stuff about the show.

I think they meant close minded toward Geri being a lesbian. Lisa had no problem with Geri, I remember reading somewhere that they were roomies for a while.


I can't wait until this book comes out! It will be awesome to read all the behind the scene stuff about the show.
I was just wondering if they read some quote by Lisa somewhere that she had "problems" with Geri being a lesbian. Haven't heard anything, though I'm sure people would make this assumption that Lisa is against it due to her being a born again Christian, "un-Biblical sexuality", etc., etc. But this doesn't sound like Lisa at all. I also read that Lisa was her roommate for a while in the 80's. Lisa has said some things online that you would totally not expect. Pretty funny things, actually.

You would think after being around Charlotte Rae, that you she would learn.

You would think after being around Charlotte Rae, that you she would learn.
:confused: Meaning...??

hmmm, right. Don't mean to sound cruel here, but I'm really tired of has-been actresses (so-called) "suddenly" realising they're lesbians. Sure and I'm Sean Penn's ex housekeeper. Keep ur private life, private!

Believe Geri was married at one time many years ago....

I was just wondering if they read some quote by Lisa somewhere that she had "problems" with Geri being a lesbian. Haven't heard anything, though I'm sure people would make this assumption that Lisa is against it due to her being a born again Christian, "un-Biblical sexuality", etc., etc. But this doesn't sound like Lisa at all. I also read that Lisa was her roommate for a while in the 80's. Lisa has said some things online that you would totally not expect. Pretty funny things, actually.

Unfortunately, there are quotes to back up the anti-homosexuality claims.

Unfortunately, there are quotes to back up the anti-homosexuality claims.

Can you back up your claim with the actual quotes?

Unfortunately, there are quotes to back up the anti-homosexuality claims.
By whom? By Lisa?

I LOVED the fact that Jeri was on the show because I myself has mild CP. It was totally cool to see someone with a disability on TV in a prominent roll.

Damn! Hoping it would be Nancy or Mindy finally coming out, but she's a strong girl, i don't know what i'll do if i was in her position....

I thought it would be Nancy or Mindy too. But to Geri, all the best.

Damn! Hoping it would be Nancy or Mindy finally coming out, but she's a strong girl, i don't know what i'll do if i was in her position....

Why? Are they rumoured to be lesbians?

Why? Are they rumoured to be lesbians?

I think they just mean because Jo was such a masculine character. But until of this thread, I've never ever heard anyone think Natalie or Mindy was a lesbian...

I thought I heard that Nancy and her brother both were gay?

Looking forward to reading the book. Thanks for posting.

I thought I heard that Nancy and her brother both were gay?

That really sounds like a rumor; I've never heard either were gay.

I thought I heard that Nancy and her brother both were gay?

Looking forward to reading the book. Thanks for posting.

I heard that rumor too. I read on here that they were gonna write a book about Gays in Hollywood or something like that.

I think they just mean because Jo was such a masculine character. But until of this thread, I've never ever heard anyone think Natalie or Mindy was a lesbian...

Read this 1981 article. To me, it pretty much sounds like the writer & Lisa thought that Nancy Mckeon is gay.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=39972

I think they meant close minded toward Geri being a lesbian. Lisa had no problem with Geri, I remember reading somewhere that they were roomies for a while.


I can't wait until this book comes out! It will be awesome to read all the behind the scene stuff about the show.

Lisa was probably one of those "hate the sin not the sinner" types. Her way of thinking is the reason why so many Gays suffer in silence in the first place.

Read this 1981 article. To me, it pretty much sounds like the writer & Lisa thought that Nancy Mckeon is gay.

http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=39972

I said I'd never heard anyone say they thought Natalie or Mindy was a lesbian.

I said I'd never heard anyone say they thought Natalie or Mindy was a lesbian.

There's actually a thread on here that got locked about Mindy possibly being gay.

I just got her book and read about half of it. It was published in 2011 so it's not really new.