Out magazine, the premiere monthly publication for gay & lesbian lifestyles and perspectives, has boldly placed images of two major celebrities on the cover of their upcoming May issue. The cover reflects the main story of the issue, which includes a list of “America?s most influential gay men and women.” The boldness on Out’s part isn’t in the subject matter, it’s in the usage of the two celebrities featured on the cover to illustrate it — because, as it happens, they are not out of the closet as homosexuals.
Actress Jodie Foster and CNN news correspondent Anderson Cooper have long been rumored to be gay, yet have never come out and said as much (nor have they ever denied it).
The cover image of two models holding masks over their faces of Foster and Cooper is overlaid with text reading “The Glass Closet,” featuring the subheading “Why the stars won’t come out and play.”
According to Out, the cover image is “a sly commentary on the way that semi-closeted celebrities hide in plain sight.”
photo: Planet Out, Inc.
Out explains that writer Michael Musto’s article explores “the Glass Closet,” in which he identifies a number of gay celebrities and public figures who live gay social lives ?while cagily avoiding any on-the-record revelations, a delicate dance that?s difficult to pull off.? Musto challenges those such as Anderson Cooper, Jodie Foster, “Will & Grace” star Sean Hayes, comedienne Wanda Sykes and former chair of the Republican National Committee Ken Mehlman, who dance around the question rather than give a ?yes? or ?no? answer.
?It?s true that stars are free to put up whatever walls they want in order to maintain boundaries with the public,? writes Musto, ?But even at their most controlling, straight stars never seem to leave out the fact that they?re straight in interviews. Whenever a subject tells me, ?I won?t discuss who I?m dating? or ?I resent labels,? I generally know not so much that they?re passionate about privacy but that they?re gay gay, gay.?
It remains to be seen whether Out will face any backlash from Foster and Cooper, who, up to this point, have never commented on their sexual orientation.
Entertainment mogul David Geffen tops Out’s power list, while other well-known entertainment charting figures include talk show host Ellen DeGeneres (#3), financial guru Suze Orman (#13), and “Superman Returns” director Bryan Singer (#32).
The May issue of Out magazine hits newsstands on April 17.
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