http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2302178/Susan-Olsen-says-gay-killed-Brady-Bunch-father-Robert-Reed-heartfelt-online-tribute.html

By Shyam Dodge

PUBLISHED:21:53 EST, 31 March 2013| UPDATED: 21:53 EST, 31 March 2013

Susan Olsen recently posted to her Facebook page a heartfelt open letter about her onscreen Brady Bunch father, Robert Reed, and his struggles as a gay man in Hollywood.

The online note addressed the current U.S. Supreme Court debate regarding same sex marriage and offered her own take on the issue from a very personal standpoint.

Olsen wrote that 'being gay killed' her TV father, referring to Reed who died in 1992.

Reed, who played Mike Brady on the hit television show, died at the age of 59 from health complications that included his status as HIV positive.

It was only after the actor's death that the public learned he was gay, a secret he had kept hidden throughout his long career - and one that his onscreen daughter believes led to his untimely demise.

Olsen, 51, said on the social networking site: 'As a child, I was BLESSED to have another father figure in my life. He did not replace my own beloved, Norwegian version of Jed Clampett, nor would he have wanted to. He simply harmonized with all of my family values and brought his own heart to our table.'

The actress who was made famous as Cindy, the youngest girl in the Brady clan, explained that the man 'who bottle fed puppies when he wasn’t quarreling with the heads of networks' shaped her heart, 'as much as my biological parents did.'

She added, 'So I really can honestly say, "My dad was gay."'

Reed played Olsen's father on their iconic television show from 1969 to 1974.

But the former child star voiced her own heart wrenching perspective on the influential man's death: 'I can also say that being gay killed him.

'Because it was so taboo, he could never make peace with himself. He never allowed himself to have a genuine love. He was forever taunted by his own disdain for the natural inclinations that he was BORN WITH.

'Bob was a family man. Had he been allowed to form a relationship with another man, he would have been the best husband ever and might still be alive.'

Olsen revealed that 'the people surrounding' the television actor, 'shoved their own judgment down his throat and, sadly, he bought into it. He thought he was wrong.'

On Friday, the TV icon noted on her Facebook page that her tribute to her 'gay dad' had stirred an overwhelmingly positive response amongst her online fans.

'Many thanks to all the wonderful people (nearly as many straight people as gay!) who thanked me for expressing my love and respect for Robert Reed and compassion for the LGBT community,' she graciously wrote.

And just a couple days prior, on Wednesday, the author and artist posted a new cover photo to her fan page with the caption, 'Please God, let the Supreme Court know that you think it's OK for gay people to marry.'

I get what she's saying, but I kinda take issue with the way she said it. Because maybe without even realizing it, she backed right into the "aids is a punishment from God" reasoning that anti-GLBT people use all the time.

I can see where it could be misinterpreted, definitely. But her heart is in the right place - she and the rest of her TV siblings clearly adored Robert Reed as much as he loved them.

I get what she's saying, but I kinda take issue with the way she said it. Because maybe without even realizing it, she backed right into the "aids is a punishment from God" reasoning that anti-GLBT people use all the time.

Without trying to get TOO political here, there are a few things I'd like to know about the gay community:

Does God really hate gays like the anti-LGBT people say? And is homosexuality REALLY a sin as they claim it is? Finally, are all gays atheists?

[QUOTE=Vahan]
Vahan to your 3 questions a NO for each of them

Without trying to get TOO political here, there are a few things I'd like to know about the gay community:

Does God really hate gays like the anti-LGBT people say? And is homosexuality REALLY a sin as they claim it is? Finally, are all gays atheists?

1) No

2) The lifestyle is, yes, but so are a lot of other things that myself, you and everyone else is guilty of.

3) No

One is not born homosexual. There is nothing genetic about homosexuality whatsoever.

People choose their sexual orientation. The LGBT crowd absolutely hates that, but it's the truth. Robert Reed was married to a fellow college student. Did Robert initially ask this woman out on a date and court her just to make his new wife a cover for homosexuality? I guess it could be. But there were a lot of gay actors in the 1960s-1980s. Paul Lynde, Richard Deacon, Dick Sargeant, Jim Nabors, Liberace, Rock Hudson, Truman Copote. I do not think any of them outside of I think Hudson were ever married to women or even been with a woman in a sexual fashion.

Reed stayed married to her for five years and concieved a child. If Reed was 100% gay, he would not have sex with a female, and reach a sense of arousal to complete "the act" to make a kid. For whatever reason, his sexual urges changed completely from his wife to men. And yes, there are cases of people moving back and forth between the sexes and end up having a committed relationship with someone of the opposite sex.

It seems that AIDS has fallen off the radar, but AIDS is still a disease that is incurable and 100% fatal. Promiscuous male homosexual contact where bodily fluid is exchanged is a major factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS. Most all women who get HIV get it from a bisexual partner who is having hidden homosexual sex. That is the truth and something else the LGBT hates hearing. Gay, homosexual "bareback mountain" sex is dangerous and spreads HIV, a fatal disease. All the hip shaking, tounge wagging and yelling "homophobe" doesn't change the truth.

Reed died in 1992 of AIDS, which he contracted back in the 1980's, at the height of AIDS, when there wasn't much to be done in treating the condition and people died like flies left and right. The word came out. Do not have unprotected sex unless it is with a committed, trusted partner. Do not have promiscuous sex. Robert Reed decided to have unprotected sex with multiple partners and he contracted AIDS. He was warned and did not heed. It was his fault. Guys like Jim Nabors have long time partners they have been with for decades, and Jim is around the same age as Robert and is still here. The homophobes have never camped outside Nabors' macadamean plantation with torches and pitchforks for living with another dude.

It's not so much about homosexuality as it is having multiple partners, and again, Reed played roulette and lost.

People choose to be religious - a disease if ever one.

But to get back on topic.. the practice of whoever one has sex with is a choice, but the basic attraction is not. Its like being left/right-handed... you simply just dont choose.

People do not actually die of AIDS, but of the health problems it causes; nonetheless, properly medicated one can live a near-normal life and slow down the process the HIV virus causes.

I find it pathetic that people describe two men having sex as "homosexual sex", whereas there is no way to know their sexual identify without asking them.

Wow i dident no she was gay

I believe homosexual feelings are a result of abuse or other negative experience of some kind during childhood. So I would have to vehemently disagree with some of Susan Olsen's statements.

But I still admire Robert Reed as an actor.

One is not born homosexual. There is nothing genetic about homosexuality whatsoever.

People choose their sexual orientation. The LGBT crowd absolutely hates that, but it's the truth. Robert Reed was married to a fellow college student. Did Robert initially ask this woman out on a date and court her just to make his new wife a cover for homosexuality? I guess it could be. But there were a lot of gay actors in the 1960s-1980s. Paul Lynde, Richard Deacon, Dick Sargeant, Jim Nabors, Liberace, Rock Hudson, Truman Copote. I do not think any of them outside of I think Hudson were ever married to women or even been with a woman in a sexual fashion.

Reed stayed married to her for five years and concieved a child. If Reed was 100% gay, he would not have sex with a female, and reach a sense of arousal to complete "the act" to make a kid. For whatever reason, his sexual urges changed completely from his wife to men. And yes, there are cases of people moving back and forth between the sexes and end up having a committed relationship with someone of the opposite sex.

It seems that AIDS has fallen off the radar, but AIDS is still a disease that is incurable and 100% fatal. Promiscuous male homosexual contact where bodily fluid is exchanged is a major factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS. Most all women who get HIV get it from a bisexual partner who is having hidden homosexual sex. That is the truth and something else the LGBT hates hearing. Gay, homosexual "bareback mountain" sex is dangerous and spreads HIV, a fatal disease. All the hip shaking, tounge wagging and yelling "homophobe" doesn't change the truth.

Reed died in 1992 of AIDS, which he contracted back in the 1980's, at the height of AIDS, when there wasn't much to be done in treating the condition and people died like flies left and right. The word came out. Do not have unprotected sex unless it is with a committed, trusted partner. Do not have promiscuous sex. Robert Reed decided to have unprotected sex with multiple partners and he contracted AIDS. He was warned and did not heed. It was his fault. Guys like Jim Nabors have long time partners they have been with for decades, and Jim is around the same age as Robert and is still here. The homophobes have never camped outside Nabors' macadamean plantation with torches and pitchforks for living with another dude.

It's not so much about homosexuality as it is having multiple partners, and again, Reed played roulette and lost.

There is so much ignorance in this post, I don't know where to begin.

You are utterly clueless when it comes to this subject. So if you don't like to look and sound like a fool, you should keep these warped opinions to yourself.

:clap: :clap: There is so much ignorance in this post, I don't know where to begin.

You are utterly clueless when it comes to this subject. So if you don't like to look and sound like a fool, you should keep these warped opinions to yourself.

:clap:

Wow i dident no she was gay


You're an idiot!

There is so much ignorance in this post, I don't know where to begin.

You are utterly clueless when it comes to this subject. So if you don't like to look and sound like a fool, you should keep these warped opinions to yourself.


:clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :clap :yeahthat :thanx: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

One is not born homosexual. There is nothing genetic about homosexuality whatsoever.

People choose their sexual orientation. The LGBT crowd absolutely hates that, but it's the truth. Robert Reed was married to a fellow college student. Did Robert initially ask this woman out on a date and court her just to make his new wife a cover for homosexuality? I guess it could be. But there were a lot of gay actors in the 1960s-1980s. Paul Lynde, Richard Deacon, Dick Sargeant, Jim Nabors, Liberace, Rock Hudson, Truman Copote. I do not think any of them outside of I think Hudson were ever married to women or even been with a woman in a sexual fashion.

Reed stayed married to her for five years and concieved a child. If Reed was 100% gay, he would not have sex with a female, and reach a sense of arousal to complete "the act" to make a kid. For whatever reason, his sexual urges changed completely from his wife to men. And yes, there are cases of people moving back and forth between the sexes and end up having a committed relationship with someone of the opposite sex.

It seems that AIDS has fallen off the radar, but AIDS is still a disease that is incurable and 100% fatal. Promiscuous male homosexual contact where bodily fluid is exchanged is a major factor in the spread of HIV/AIDS. Most all women who get HIV get it from a bisexual partner who is having hidden homosexual sex. That is the truth and something else the LGBT hates hearing. Gay, homosexual "bareback mountain" sex is dangerous and spreads HIV, a fatal disease. All the hip shaking, tounge wagging and yelling "homophobe" doesn't change the truth.

Reed died in 1992 of AIDS, which he contracted back in the 1980's, at the height of AIDS, when there wasn't much to be done in treating the condition and people died like flies left and right. The word came out. Do not have unprotected sex unless it is with a committed, trusted partner. Do not have promiscuous sex. Robert Reed decided to have unprotected sex with multiple partners and he contracted AIDS. He was warned and did not heed. It was his fault. Guys like Jim Nabors have long time partners they have been with for decades, and Jim is around the same age as Robert and is still here. The homophobes have never camped outside Nabors' macadamean plantation with torches and pitchforks for living with another dude.

It's not so much about homosexuality as it is having multiple partners, and again, Reed played roulette and lost.

I agree!

I just think it downright tragic that even through all the high level acting talent Reed did indeed possess(including being a highly trained Shakesperian)many will only remember him as "the Brady who died from AIDS".

People choose to be religious - a disease if ever one.

:rolleyes:

I just think it downright tragic that even through all the high level acting talent Reed did indeed possess(including being a highly trained Shakesperian)many will only remember him as "the Brady who died from AIDS".

What's tragic is that this thread seems to have become a debate over wheather or not being gay is a choice!

To be accurate, being gay didn't kill Reed. Actually engaging in homosexual activity is what did it...regardless of whether certain people are offended by that statement.

Some folks don't like to admit how certain things happen, preferring to blame it on Ronald Reagan.

there is so much stupid in this thread its mind-boggling.

LOLOLOLOL at being gay is a "choice".


I cant, I just cant. Reason #294939393 why I dont follow the sheep with religion

What's tragic is that this thread seems to have become a debate over wheather or not being gay is a choice!

Honestly...that's debatable, I feel in my honest opinion it's both due to that we're in full denial and whatnot yet some can rise above what the world says...but is there theories in Evolution saying that being gay is a natural choice (meant to be gay, NOT a human decision)?

PS-I forgot to read page 1...I'm such a dumbass sometime! Let's not forget Charles Nelson Rilley was closeted yet many knew he was gay and Nell Carter had a partner at the end of her life.

And what Elton John and Johnny Mathis would say about being gay 30 years ago would NEVER Fly today! And even if a Harvard Graduate with a PhD said being gay is a choice would be considered a dumbass...we have an opinion on anything...sometimes we just need proof!

I understand what Susan was saying. The 70s were a very difficult time to be gay. Gays experienced a lot of self hatred due to the inexcusable comments that were being made about them. Many engaged in a lot of promiscuity and unprotected sex (unaware of the risks). Monogamous relationships in the beginning were virtually unheard of, as gays were forced to hide who they were. What Susan meant is that if Robert had accepted himself for who he was, given up a life of promiscuity, and entered into a monogamous same-sex relationship, he could potentially be alive today; because, when you're monogamous, the risks of disease simply aren't there. To be accurate, homosexual activity didn't kill Reed, unprotected sex and promiscuity did.

It was really sad when the news of his death came out.

Even though Reed wasn't crazy about the BB show itself, he loved all of the cast members.

IMO, the two best TV dads ever were Ward Cleaver and Mike Brady. Not only were their characters very strong and positive role models, they also always earned the respect of their (TV) wives and children.

It was really sad when the news of his death came out.

Even though Reed wasn't crazy about the BB show itself, he loved all of the cast members.

IMO, the two best TV dads ever were Ward Cleaver and Mike Brady. Not only were their characters very strong and positive role models, they also always earned the respect of their (TV) wives and children.

And honestly...that's what matters. People respecting others no matter what they've done or what they're doing...I wish we can get along better than this.

I guess one question still needs to be answered though...

Robert Reed was married (to a woman) in the mid-late 1950s, and they had a daughter.

The question is, did Reed choose to engage in heterosexual activity, or was he born that way?

I guess one question still needs to be answered though...

Robert Reed was married (to a woman) in the mid-late 1950s, and they had a daughter.

The question is, did Reed choose to engage in heterosexual activity, or was he born that way?

Lots of gay men and women attempted to conform to society by getting married and even having children. Some were able to keep up with the charade, but more often than not, they couldn't deny their natural inclinations to the same sex, as was the case with Reed. If he he was born straight, he wouldn't have engaged in sexual encounters with men.

Lots of gay men and women attempted to conform to society by getting married and even having children. Some were able to keep up with the charade, but more often than not, they couldn't deny their natural inclinations to the same sex, as was the case with Reed. If he he was born straight, he wouldn't have engaged in sexual encounters with men.
I think Reed was a complicated guy. Susan was too young to really know all about his adult life. To say that Reed would have be been faithful if he was allowed to come out is questionable. Reed never spoke out on the subject in his adult life.

I guess one question still needs to be answered though...

Robert Reed was married (to a woman) in the mid-late 1950s, and they had a daughter.

The question is, did Reed choose to engage in heterosexual activity, or was he born that way?

Wow.

Somehow I don't believe that question is purely a matter of inquiry asked in good faith.... :rolleyes:

I am pretty sure that Sam The Butcher was gay too. The way he would always flog his meat...shameful!

Wow.

Somehow I don't believe that question is purely a matter of inquiry asked in good faith.... :rolleyes:


There's no reason to think that. One of the ongoing debates about this subject is whether people choose to live that way, or whether they're born that way and "can't help it".

In response to the question, I thought retro and caro both made good points.

I am pretty sure that Sam The Butcher was gay too. The way he would always flog his meat...shameful!

Depends on what or who it was that made him do that.

I am pretty sure that Sam The Butcher was gay too. The way he would always flog his meat...shameful!

There's nothing gay about flogging one's own meat. If one dude flogs another dude's meat, then that's gay.

There's nothing gay about flogging one's own meat. If one dude flogs another dude's meat, then that's gay.

Is there a way to throw a big "adults only" sign on this thread or something? None of the discussion bothers me at all, but I know that there are young people (i.e. under 18) who are members, just kind of makes me a little 'iffy' about some of the language.

There's nothing gay about flogging one's own meat. If one dude flogs another dude's meat, then that's gay.

:lol:

That is the funniest thing that I have read on this site in ages, ROTFLMAO!!

Does God really hate gays like the anti-LGBT people say? And is homosexuality REALLY a sin as they claim it is? Finally, are all gays atheists?
To answer this poster's questions:

1. No. First of all, I want to say one thing about the verbiage here. I don't like to define people in terms of their sexuality. People are people. And all human beings are made in the image of God and are loved by Him. And anyone who claims to be a follower of Jesus must love all people because Jesus commands it. (John 13:34-35) In fact, He said this is how the world will know we are His followers. Anyone who says that God hates any particular group of people is wrong. God loves everyone. And as 1 John 4:19-21 tells us, anyone who says they love God, whom they haven't seen, but hates their brother, whom they have seen, is a liar and the truth is not in them.

2. Yes. Homosexuality is a sin as The Bible makes clear in both The Old Testament and The New Testament. (Here are some passages to consider on the matter- Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Matthew 5:17-20, Matthew 19, Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and still others.)

3. I do not know. Some people who identify with homosexuality may well be atheists. Some are certainly not- in fact, I'm pretty sure at least some believe in God and follow a particular religion. I do know some people say they follow Christ- and I trust this is true- but sadly, they do not seem to be willing to surrender this area of their life to Christ in repentance and seek His help and forgiveness. But that is for them and God to deal with- I can only warn someone in love as a brother in Christ and pray for them, but I don't stand in judgment of them.
And there are Christians who genuinely seek to follow Christ and struggle with sexual temptation in the area of homosexuality- and they must remember that Jesus has faced down all temptations and beaten them all! 1 Corinthians 10:13 is true- no temptation has seized except that which is common to man. And God is faithful to not let us have more than we can bear but in the time of temptation He offers us a way of escape so that we can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 is another great passage to remember, which clearly tells us that we must not allow our bodies to partake in any sexual sin because our body is not ours- our lives are not ours. We belong to The Lord and we were bought with a price- therefore, we must honor God with our bodies and the rest of our lives. (see also Romans 14:8).


The other thing to remember is James 2:10, which makes it clear that all sins are equally bad. If we fall at one point of The Law, we are guilty of breaking all of it. In God's eyes, we are all equally culpable no matter what sin we've done. And we should also remember that everyone struggles with sin. And yes, some are even born in this fallen world with inclinations toward particular sins. (For instance, some babies are born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and thus have a likelihood of becoming alcoholics, as their parents most likely were. This is very sad- I have known someone who has this condition. And to clarify, The Bible clearly says in Ephesians 5:18 that getting drunk is a sin. As to drinking in general, The Bible doesn't condemn that- I think Romans 14 covers that well. It's a personal choice everyone must make, but The Bible certainly gives many warnings about overindulging. But that's a different matter.)
(For another example, some people are born with an inclination to stealing because they are kleptomaniacs. But having an inclination to alcoholism and stealing doesn't make getting drunk or stealing right. Both are still sins despite the genetic factors that may be involved in driving someone towards these things.)
If someone is born with inclinations toward the same sex (and I do believe people are genetically born with this), it's a product of our world that has fallen into sin. (See Genesis 3.) This is the curse the world still bears. We all have an inclination toward sin in general. (As Psalms 51:5 says, we are conceived in sin.)
But praise God for the curse-reversing Jesus! He came and died on the cross to pay for all the sins of the world. And He offers forgiveness and salvation to us if we will put our trust in Him. Now, we will still struggle with sin even after we have asked Christ for salvation. But The Holy Spirit of God who lives in us at that point helps guide us away from sin and to obeying God instead. If we live by The Spirit, we will not give in to the flesh. (Romans 6 to 8, but just read the whole thing.:) Of course, for that matter- just read the whole Bible.:cool: )

But no matter where people stand in regards to their beliefs about sexuality and about God, as a follower of Christ, I am commanded to show them love. I do not hate anyone. God does not hate anyone. However, He does hate sin. And because of that, I hate sin too- but sadly, I find myself falling down into sin too often still... (praise God for 1 John 4:9- He's still faithful to forgive us and cleanse us if we confess our sins to Him.)
-I need to hate sin more and not give in to it. But Jesus is still working- (Philippians 1:6)- He will keep doing so until the day of His coming and/or the day of my death- whichever comes first.
And one chief reason God hates sin is because it separates people from Himself. He can't allow sin into Heaven. And if we choose to remain in our sin rather than accept Christ's free offer of forgiveness, then The Bible makes the consequences clear. We are born into sin and bound for Hell from the outset because of our rebellion against God. But God loves us and doesn't want anyone to go to Hell (see 2 Peter 3:8-9), but instead He wants all to come to repentance. He loves everyone so much and wants us all to be with Him in Heaven. The invitation is open to all through Jesus. He's the only Way to get to Heaven. In fact, He's The Way, The Truth and The Life- No man comes to The Father but by Him. (as John 14:6 says.)

Anyway, that's all I have to say on that for now. As to Robert Reed, he did a great job portraying Mike Brady on "The Brady Bunch" (as well as portraying Arkadian in the 1979 "Mandrake" TV-movie- and acting in "Galatica 1980") and many other roles. I'm not sure exactly how he died, but I was certainly sad to hear of it. I loved his work as an actor, even if I don't agree with all of his choices in life. I hope he truly knew Christ as Savior.

This is supposed to be a forum about The Brady Bunch. Now this thread has become a debate about homo-sexuality. Why don't we end this thread.:confused: