'Facts Of Life' Star Comes Out And Says She's A Lesbian - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 01-28-2011, 09:41 AM

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://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_815253.html

catlover79 · 01-28-2011, 02:43 PM

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

boechsner · 01-28-2011, 04:17 PM

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

ABlairican Pie · 01-29-2011, 10:21 AM

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.

Dr. Thong · 01-29-2011, 05:42 PM

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...?

Johnny be good! · 01-30-2011, 11:51 AM

At least she beat the paparazzi to it.

browneyes106 · 01-30-2011, 04:55 PM

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

browneyes106 · 01-30-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

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.

Kasey · 02-01-2011, 10:11 AM

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.

Johnny be good! · 03-02-2011, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kasey

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.

ABlairican Pie · 03-03-2011, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny be good!

I just wish Lisa wasn't so close-minded about it.

Who said she was? Did I miss something?

Robert 13 · 03-10-2011, 01:12 PM

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.

Ian905 · 04-04-2011, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABlairican Pie

Who said she was? Did I miss something?

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.

ABlairican Pie · 04-05-2011, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian905

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.

Johnny be good! · 04-07-2011, 01:07 PM

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

01-28-2011, 09:41 AM	#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	'Facts Of Life' Star Comes Out And Says She's A Lesbian 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://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/0..._n_815253.html
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

01-28-2011, 02:43 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Somehow this doesn't surprise me. But I wish Geri all the best and hope all is OK with her.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

01-29-2011, 10:21 AM	#4
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	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.
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

01-29-2011, 05:42 PM	#5
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	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...?
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

01-30-2011, 11:51 AM	#6
Johnny be good! Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2007 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 1,633	At least she beat the paparazzi to it.
	__________________ Alex Bogue

01-28-2011, 04:17 PM	#3
boechsner Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2000 Location: Green Bay, WI Posts: 2,212	It sounds like Geri has finally come to terms with every aspect of her life. Bravo Geri, for being who you are!

01-30-2011, 04:55 PM	#7
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,097	I give her credit for coming out on her own and I hope she is doing well. I also liked her work on Deadwood.

02-01-2011, 10:11 AM	#9
Kasey Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 22, 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,143	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.

03-10-2011, 01:12 PM	#12
Robert 13 Member Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 1,521	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.
	__________________ Com'è straordinaria la vita, che un giorno ti senti come in un sogno e poi ti ritrovi all'inferno - Dolcenera

04-07-2011, 01:07 PM	#15
Johnny be good! Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2007 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 1,633	You would think after being around Charlotte Rae, that you she would learn.