Meredith Baxter on Why Coming Out was 'Glorious' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 04-02-2012, 04:24 PM

Meredith Baxter On Why Coming Out Was 'Glorious' (VIDEO)
3/31/12

Meredith Baxter, 64, has been an actress for more than 40 years.

She is best known as Elyse Keaton -- the flower-child mom of Michael J. Fox's straight-laced Alex Keaton on program "Family Ties", which ran from 1982 to 1989. But baby boomers may remember her in her first sitcom, "Bridget Loves Bernie" on CBS in 1972, and her run on the show "Family" from 1976 to 1980.

What they likely didn't know is that Baxter struggled with alcoholism for years, putting herself and her children in danger. Baxter has been married three times and has five children, and in December 2009, when the tabloids began writing about her relationship with a woman, she came out about as a lesbian in an interview with Matt Lauer on the "Today" show.

In this moving video, Baxter talks about how she conquered alcohol, and why coming out was the best decision she ever made.

"I started drinking a little into my long-term marriage and it eventually became a way to take care of the pain. I worked drunk, I drove drunk.. with and without my children... and it was only when I was able to get out of that marriage when I then sought some help. I've been in recovery now for over 20 years.

Being on 'Family Ties' was a real gift because it saved my life in many ways. When I went to work it was like my home-life almost didn't exist. These people appreciated me and I laughed non-stop.

In order to beat the press with the story that I was in a lesbian relationship and make the story my own I did a full spread in PEOPLE magazine and I went on the 'Today' show to announce, what everyone was dying to know, that I was a lesbian.

I thought I was going to drop in a hole, that it was going to be the end of my career, that I was setting myself on fire. It turned out to be the best possible thing that I ever could have done. I didn't know to want the freedom that came from it. I really hope that a lot of people would take that as an example of hope and confidence that you will be ok."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0..._1393392.html?

AKA · 04-02-2012, 06:47 PM

I'm glad she's found happiness. I wish Ms. Baxter nothing but the best in the future.

04-02-2012, 04:24 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,168	Meredith Baxter on Why Coming Out was 'Glorious' Meredith Baxter On Why Coming Out Was 'Glorious' (VIDEO) 3/31/12 Meredith Baxter, 64, has been an actress for more than 40 years. She is best known as Elyse Keaton -- the flower-child mom of Michael J. Fox's straight-laced Alex Keaton on program "Family Ties", which ran from 1982 to 1989. But baby boomers may remember her in her first sitcom, "Bridget Loves Bernie" on CBS in 1972, and her run on the show "Family" from 1976 to 1980. What they likely didn't know is that Baxter struggled with alcoholism for years, putting herself and her children in danger. Baxter has been married three times and has five children, and in December 2009, when the tabloids began writing about her relationship with a woman, she came out about as a lesbian in an interview with Matt Lauer on the "Today" show. In this moving video, Baxter talks about how she conquered alcohol, and why coming out was the best decision she ever made. "I started drinking a little into my long-term marriage and it eventually became a way to take care of the pain. I worked drunk, I drove drunk.. with and without my children... and it was only when I was able to get out of that marriage when I then sought some help. I've been in recovery now for over 20 years. Being on 'Family Ties' was a real gift because it saved my life in many ways. When I went to work it was like my home-life almost didn't exist. These people appreciated me and I laughed non-stop. In order to beat the press with the story that I was in a lesbian relationship and make the story my own I did a full spread in PEOPLE magazine and I went on the 'Today' show to announce, what everyone was dying to know, that I was a lesbian. I thought I was going to drop in a hole, that it was going to be the end of my career, that I was setting myself on fire. It turned out to be the best possible thing that I ever could have done. I didn't know to want the freedom that came from it. I really hope that a lot of people would take that as an example of hope and confidence that you will be ok." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0..._1393392.html? Attached Images

04-02-2012, 06:47 PM	#2
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	I'm glad she's found happiness. I wish Ms. Baxter nothing but the best in the future.