After Years of Speculation, "Will & Grace's" Sean Hayes Comes Out - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-08-2010, 08:21 PM

After years of speculation about his personal life, "Will and Grace" actor Sean Hayes has finally admitted, albeit circuitously, that he's gay in an interview with The Advocate.

Hayes, who became a household name in the late 90s for his role as Jack McFarland on the NBC comedy, has been notoriously mum about his sexual orientation until now.

In the interview, which appears in April's issue of The Advocate, the actor says, "I never have had a problem saying who I am... I am who I am. I was never in, as they say. Never."

Hayes is a member of an ever-growing list of celebrities who have come out in the media after hitting the big-time.

*NSYNC heartthrob Lance Bass famously appeared on the cover of PEOPLE magazine alongside the words "I'm Gay" in July of 2006 after rumors of an alleged relationship with "Amazing Race" winner Reichen Lemkuhl hit the blogosphere.

Actor Neil Patrick Harris, who first became famous for his eponymous role on "Doogie Howser, M.D." and more recently for his role as Barney Stinson on "How I Met Your Mother", opened up to the same magazine just months later in November 2006. In his interview, Harris told PEOPLE, "I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest."

As for why Hayes took so long in making his sexual orientation public, he says, "Nobody owes anything to anybody. You are your authentic self to whom and when you choose to be, and if you don't know somebody, then why would you explain to them how you live your life?"

He adds, "I feel like I've contributed monumentally to the success of the gay movement in America, and if anyone wants to argue that, I'm open to it. You're welcome."

http://www.popeater.com/2010/03/08/s...-the-advocate/

catlover79 · 03-08-2010, 09:23 PM

Is there anyone out there who didn't already figure this out?

HuntingtonM15 · 03-08-2010, 09:26 PM

Well, this just has me in complete and utter shock. I'm not sure if I was more shocked by this or Clay Aiken.

catlover79 · 03-08-2010, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

Well, this just has me in complete and utter shock. I'm not sure if I was more shocked by this or Clay Aiken.

Or as my mom said when Richard Chamberlain finally came out: "I think he was the last to know."

HuntingtonM15 · 03-08-2010, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Or as my mom said when Richard Chamberlain finally came out: "I think he was the last to know."

So true.

catlover79 · 03-08-2010, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

So true.

That's the same thing I said.

Kristen · 03-08-2010, 11:41 PM

Wow, you mean the actor who played Jack all those years was gay?! Wow. I'm shocked. *Yawns*

- Kristen

Smartboy · 03-08-2010, 11:46 PM

The first thing that I would like to do is hand it to Brian Damage that he really knows how to come up with topics that can stimulate some conversation! If only I knew his secret! Look at how many threads I started (on this page and many others) that went nowhere! My last attempt on this page actually had to do with Sean Hayes himself. It was all about something that I had just learned about his new job as a producer. Is anyone here famaliar with this? Before I leave, I would like to take a second to go back to the topic of gay people. One thing that I have done quite a bit of lately is speculate on why this board as a whole is as slow as it is. I have posted messages about this on a bunch of other pages of this site. I mentioned various things that are going on in the world that could be taking up peoples' time and energy. One of these things is the tragic death of Marie Osmond's son. I only learned yesterday that he was gay! Does anyone here know anything about this reality?

SueAnn_Rose · 04-01-2010, 04:48 PM

I saw this last week somewhere "can't remember where" but did see this. I am shocked I never thought about Sean as being gay I just knew his character on WAG was gay and that's it. But, i'm glad he came out now and said this because it's someone like him who did move the country in the gay movement by playing Jack and I am glad to be his fan cause he is a great actor and human being for telling this to the world.

Congratulations Sean, it's a great thing to know that you know who you are.

lucyandethel · 05-27-2010, 03:47 AM

I am certain fans of "Will & Grace" will hate me for this, but frankly, I always though Sean Hayes' character on "Will & Grace" was just too over the top. I mean, it was a gay stereotype perpetuated to the nth degree. I know for many, it was considered enjoyable and funny, but I just wanted to reach through my TV and slap him sometimes.

03-08-2010, 08:21 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	After Years of Speculation, "Will & Grace's" Sean Hayes Comes Out After years of speculation about his personal life, "Will and Grace" actor Sean Hayes has finally admitted, albeit circuitously, that he's gay in an interview with The Advocate. Hayes, who became a household name in the late 90s for his role as Jack McFarland on the NBC comedy, has been notoriously mum about his sexual orientation until now. In the interview, which appears in April's issue of The Advocate, the actor says, "I never have had a problem saying who I am... I am who I am. I was never in, as they say. Never." Hayes is a member of an ever-growing list of celebrities who have come out in the media after hitting the big-time. *NSYNC heartthrob Lance Bass famously appeared on the cover of PEOPLE magazine alongside the words "I'm Gay" in July of 2006 after rumors of an alleged relationship with "Amazing Race" winner Reichen Lemkuhl hit the blogosphere. Actor Neil Patrick Harris, who first became famous for his eponymous role on "Doogie Howser, M.D." and more recently for his role as Barney Stinson on "How I Met Your Mother", opened up to the same magazine just months later in November 2006. In his interview, Harris told PEOPLE, "I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest." As for why Hayes took so long in making his sexual orientation public, he says, "Nobody owes anything to anybody. You are your authentic self to whom and when you choose to be, and if you don't know somebody, then why would you explain to them how you live your life?" He adds, "I feel like I've contributed monumentally to the success of the gay movement in America, and if anyone wants to argue that, I'm open to it. You're welcome." http://www.popeater.com/2010/03/08/s...-the-advocate/
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03-08-2010, 09:23 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Is there anyone out there who didn't already figure this out?
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03-08-2010, 11:41 PM	#7
Kristen Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 17, 2000 Location: New York, USA Posts: 4,042	Wow, you mean the actor who played Jack all those years was gay?! Wow. I'm shocked. Yawns - Kristen
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04-01-2010, 04:48 PM	#9
SueAnn_Rose Sue Ann Nivens BFF Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 03, 2010 Location: WJM news room/The Big Potata Posts: 336	I saw this last week somewhere "can't remember where" but did see this. I am shocked I never thought about Sean as being gay I just knew his character on WAG was gay and that's it. But, i'm glad he came out now and said this because it's someone like him who did move the country in the gay movement by playing Jack and I am glad to be his fan cause he is a great actor and human being for telling this to the world. Congratulations Sean, it's a great thing to know that you know who you are.
	__________________ "I have been the owner of this house for 50 years, but you can kick me out" Elka "When I die, I want to be cremated and have my ashes thrown on Robert Redford." Sue Ann "Max you know i'm your girl" ღBetty & Allen Luddenღ ★Betty White★ Elka & Maxღ

03-08-2010, 09:26 PM	#3
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	Well, this just has me in complete and utter shock. I'm not sure if I was more shocked by this or Clay Aiken.

03-08-2010, 11:46 PM	#8
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	The first thing that I would like to do is hand it to Brian Damage that he really knows how to come up with topics that can stimulate some conversation! If only I knew his secret! Look at how many threads I started (on this page and many others) that went nowhere! My last attempt on this page actually had to do with Sean Hayes himself. It was all about something that I had just learned about his new job as a producer. Is anyone here famaliar with this? Before I leave, I would like to take a second to go back to the topic of gay people. One thing that I have done quite a bit of lately is speculate on why this board as a whole is as slow as it is. I have posted messages about this on a bunch of other pages of this site. I mentioned various things that are going on in the world that could be taking up peoples' time and energy. One of these things is the tragic death of Marie Osmond's son. I only learned yesterday that he was gay! Does anyone here know anything about this reality?

05-27-2010, 03:47 AM	#10
lucyandethel Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 435	I am certain fans of "Will & Grace" will hate me for this, but frankly, I always though Sean Hayes' character on "Will & Grace" was just too over the top. I mean, it was a gay stereotype perpetuated to the nth degree. I know for many, it was considered enjoyable and funny, but I just wanted to reach through my TV and slap him sometimes.