Heading back into the closet...

[JonnyFantastico]

OK, first off; this goes out mostly to the UK users on this Forum (although, of course; anyone can join in). Secondly, if I sound a bit pissed about it, forgive me beforehand. I'm not intentionally saying this to make anyone upset, I truly am curious as to why the hell this seems to be happening.

Alright... *Takes a breath* Here's the deal:

This is Austin Drage. Many of you UK-ers might recognize him from being a contestant on "X-Factor" or the series "Girl Band"; where they got a whole bunch of guys to dress in drag and... well, be in a "girl" band. LOL Anyway, he got thrust more into the spotlight on "X-Factor". I heard he cried a lot (I wouldn't know; I never saw any of the performances), but eventually he was voted off. Of course, Austin is pretty hot and got a lot of attention frrom the ladies.

Except... there was one minor detail.

Austin was somewhat famous WELL before that.

Apparently, Austin was in a boyband in the UK as well as known for pushing his solo career; even trying to break through here in the US; which is how I found out about him. I even had a couple of his songs, which were pretty good.

Here's what's pissing me off: after a long while, I was going through my music playlist and found the songs and wondered, "whatever happened to Austin"? I Googled him up and found out about the whole "Girl Band" thing and something else pretty shocking, but cool:

He came out of the closet.

Again, not a bad surprise to me. In fact, I cheered on the fact that he had the balls to do so.

Then, he decides to go on "X-Factor", which I suppose is also fine. But then, all of a sudden, all of the news about Austin's "coming out" disappeared and now; he's a straight boy. BULLSHIT!

This severly upset me... I understand that when you're in the public eye, you try to maintain some kind of image, but what happens when you readily admit that you're already gay, why is it such an issue?

Anyway, this picture has just hit the web and it's causing all sorts of drama.

And just in case you're not convinced that's another GUY that Austin is kissing:

See?

Anyway, what's the deal here? Does this surprise or anger you as much as it does me? This was not news to see him with another male, but it's upsetting me to know that all of a sudden, he's suddenly seen as being back in the closet again.

Austin, you came out already. Tell your "people" to stop being idiots and let the world know who you really are. I had a lot more respect for you beforehand...

Just want to know your thoughts on this. Also, as horrible as it sounds (although not intended), is has this happened before in the UK? Is this normal?

Hugs (although slightly miffed),

Jonny Fantastico X(

 

[XMan101]

I have one comment - why does this make you angry??

I couldn't care less what the sexual preference of anyone is! If someone wants to hide it that's up to them.

Don't ever think that gay guys are not prejudiced!

I'd ignored my other side for a long time, then I got a girlfriend again after many years. I had a couple of good gay friends literally drop me without any explanation!!

Nobody of any sexual persuasion is any different.

To me, I couldn't care less what sexual preference a person is - it really doesn't interest me! Nor does it interest me if they want to hide it.

Why should it? I'm not on any campaign.

To answer your question I have never encountered this before here, but I doubt I'd have noticed I HATE X Factor or any shows like it

 

[JonnyFantastico]

Why does this make me angry? I guess it's because in my own life, it took me so long to actually admit to myself that it was OK to be gay. It may seem weird considering if you've seen some of my flirty comments to many on the Forum, but trust me; even I had a lot of shame in my youth not only owning up to the fact that I liked boys, but to actually add onto a label that many found made you less than a man.

I don't want to push any celebrity into a sort of martyrdom in any way, but I have met so many people who are so afraid of realizing who they are. In the smallest way, when someone who others can see as being "famous" can own up to that position and say, "Yep, I'm gay and so the f*ck what"; it can be such a huge influence. Not in the sense of "I want to BE like them", but in a sense of "it's OK to be THIS way". I guess it hurt me to see that someone who was sort of in that position of power was so eager to cower away from it. I know we are all different people (especially those considered "celebrities"), but in a world where we have gay kids killing themselves because they fear another's reaction; it really makes me hope and wonder that there is just that one person they can take a glance at and realize that every life is beautiful, no matter what you are.

If I came on a bit strongly, I didn't mean to. I just want more for this world. Call me someone who wants to see the glass half-full.

 

[XMan101]

Oh I didn't think you were coming on strongly. I like someone with opinions and someone not afraid to voice them. Trust me - I can rant about many things

I guess all our backgrounds & situations are different and that's what often shapes our views of the world. I've always been lucky and never had much negativity on this score. Even when I was more men orientated nobody around me ever blinked an eye, even my parents!!

 

[JonnyFantastico]

That's more than understandable, XMan... but I have a quick follow-up:

So, I obtained the pictures of Austin and that guy kissing from a male celebrity forum. Oddly enough, about an hour or so after posting that the "gay rumor" wasn't necessarily a rumor; the entire thread was deleted from that Forum; including the pictures.

And before you ask: it's gay owned and features pictures of other celebrity males (sometimes naked, fully erect, etc.). The only rule on the Forum: no males under the age of 16 allowed.

See what I mean? What exactly are they trying to hide? "Peculiar and peculiar...."

 

[tincan]

I saw him on the X factor and thought he was gay. Honestly, it doesn't make me angry, more sad for him that he has to hide it from the world. He really did well on the show and I feel he would have connected with the audience, and stayed in for longer if she showed his true colours.

At the end of the day it's very easy for us to say 'You should do this, you should do that' etc. But we haven't been in his situation. And, althought I don't think he made the wrong decision in hiding it I can respect him for it.

Alternatively, he may have simply been going through a phase or perhaps he is Bi-sexual and feels it would be more media-friendly to simply say he's straight end of story. At the end of the day I don't think being angry at him will help, if anything it may push him away from saying who he really is. Besides, his target market is younger girls, so I doubt they'd show as much interest if he ruled out that he would ever be their boyfriend.

 

[XMan101]

That's a good point, Tincan. It's often the case, depending on your market you have to be "sold" to that market. It's a commercial game.

We have one singer who seems to have done well for himself, he came off X Factor too (or a similar show, really can't remember), Will Young. A middle class openly gay guy!

It does happen , and I don't think it damaged his career.

Sometimes it's just commercialism. It can be flipped round. Back in the 1970s we had a group called Mud. One of the guys acted soooo camp and every appearance dressed more & more ourageosly. He was NOT allowed to say he WASN'T gay publicly!! Again, commercialism & selling!

 

[JonnyFantastico]

Very good points...

Plus, first off, please know I am NOT upset with Austin. I have a huge feeling that this had to do more with the "people" who handle his career and not Austin himself. When he did come out, he wasn't well known at all (I wouldn't have even come across him if I hadn't saw his picture on some other site and heard about his singing). Since he's more in the public eye more and he is such a good looking guy (you should Google his sexy ass... ), it would make sense to have a group of teenaged/young adult girls screaming after him; it adds to the fanbase.

I know we all go through phases, but I highly doubt that's another reason why he's suddenly done an "about face" about who he sleeps with at night. (BTW, this is REALLY sad because I'm not even from the UK and I know this...) Will Young from "Pop Idol" (see; I know way too much useless trivia... LOL) has seemed to maintain a good footing in his career even being openly gay (and quite sexy, I might say) and has male and female fans. I guess I still dream of a better world: where you can be loved, enjoyed or still have all of the fame perks no matter who you're screwing. Little kids look up to all of these people in the starlight (whether they deserve to be or not); is it so much to ask to have another openly gay celeb in their view as well?

I'm not asking for omnipotence, perfection or even someone super hot... just another voice ithat drowns out the deafening sound of hate in the world.

Another person who comes to mind, although he could be quite prickish at times is Justin Timberlake. Of course, he's straight, but he welcomes his gay fans and even gives them little "winks" from time to time; he's definitely someone not afraid of what the media or anyone else thinks about him.

I JUST WANT MORE!!! LOL