“Desperate Housewives” actor part of celebrity coming out train

W Actor Tuc Watkins comes out

Super-hunk Tuc Watkins, co-star of ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” and daytime drama “One Life to Live” has admitted to what until his admission was only speculation; he is indeed gay. The uber-handsome Watkins made the admission while appearing on the daytime talk show “Marie” with Marie Osmond.

Watkins also revealed that he is a proud single parents to twins via surrogate.

“I played a gay man who was married to his husband, who was trying to adopt a kid,” he says, “And in real life, at the same time, I’m a gay single man who was trying to have a kid through surrogacy.”

Watkins was a guest on the talk-fest promoting the relaunch of “One Life to Live” as an online show. Read more, and see a clip from the show, by following this link.

What do you think of the timing of Tuc’s admission? Think it’s a good idea? Weigh in with your comments.

NBA player Jason Collins comes out

On the heels of an article about an openly gay college football kicker wanting to break into the NFL comes the admission from 12-year NBA veteran Jason Collins that he is indeed a gay man. The gifted center who is a veteran of nine playoffs in 12 NBA seasons and is now a free agent, makes the admission in a self-penned article in the upcoming issue of Sports Illustrated magazine.

“I’ve reached that enviable state in life in which I can do pretty much what I want. And what I want is to continue to play basketball. I still love the game, and I still have something to offer. My coaches and teammates recognize that. At the same time, I want to be genuine and authentic and truthful.”

Read the SI article on Jason Collins by clicking here. What do you think of his decision to come out now? Do you think the NBA is ready for it? Offer your thoughts in our comments section.

UPDATE: Shortly after the release of this story, the first of what will undoubtedly be a homophobic backlash comes from  Miami Dolphins “wide receiver” Mike Wallace. From TMZ, read his comments here.

Happy Penguin Day!

Happy Penguin Day!

Former daytime TV actor finds solace, solitude in painting and social media

To millions, actor Thom Bierdz is known as the iconic Chancellor heir Phillip Chancellor on the daytime drama “The Young and the Restless.” Bierdz also has the distinction of being one of the first openly gay soap opera actors. But until recently, many had no idea of the real-life drama endured when it was revealed that Bierdz’s brother, Troy, had murdered their mother with a baseball bat in 1989. 20 years later, Bierdz has penned a new book, “Forgiving Troy,” which outlines his journey towards acceptance and forgiveness.

These days, Bierdz enjoys a solitary but fulfilling life in Lake Arrowhead, California exploring another of his passions; painting.  Bierdz was recently interviewed by Melissa Parker of Smashing Interviews Magazine where he discusses his past, his work, and his love for former co-star Emmy-winning actress Jeanne Cooper. You can also learn more about Bierdz, his artwork, his favorite poses (?) and why he’s “only gay for the gay press” by visiting his YouTube channel. He can also be seen as a guest star on the web series “Old Dogs & New Tricks.”

Remember Thom Bierdz from his daytime years? Share your thoughts and memories with us.

 

Gwyneth Paltrow named People Magazine’s “Most Beautiful Woman”

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow

Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow has been name People Magazine’s “Most Beautiful Woman” in their annual beauty issue. The style icon beat out other luminaries such as Halle Berry and Jennifer Lawrence. The magazine boasts that Paltrow possesses a “timeless look,” and was the reason for her selection.

Ironically, in another recent poll conducted by Star Magazine, Paltrow was also vote the “Most Hated Celebrity in Hollywood.” By a landslide…

What are your thoughts? Are you “Team Gwyneth?” Weigh in with your comments.

Is Eva Longoria “Ready for Love” after NBC cancels her show?

Is it real, or just a coy denial, or is Latina beauty Eva Longoria really dating show bachelor, entrepreneur Ernesto Arguello? Numerous news agencies reported recently that Longoria and Arguello, a bachelor on the show “Ready for Love,” were a couple after spotting the duo on a few outings such as riding through Hollywood in Longoria’s Bentley convertible, and dining with celebri-chef Bobby Flay and stylist Robert Verdi in New York City. Some reports even have Arguello spending the night at Longoria’s  L.A. home.

On Tuesday NBC announced that it was pulling the plug on “Ready for Love,” a dating show loosely based on The Bachelor with 3 matchmakers doing the legwork for three über hot bachelors that included Arguello, Dallas-based financier Ben Patton and “Plain White T’s” band member Tim Lopez. Longoria served as executive producer for the show.

So what do you thin…does it matter if Longoria found love while helping others find love? Weigh in…

Is the NFL ready for its first openly gay player?

Out football kicker Alan Gendreau. Read more on his quest for the NFL by clicking the photo above.

The “good old boy” network that is professional football is poised for a wake up call..in the form of a mild-mannered kicker from the state of Florida. Alan Gendreau is a kicker from Middle Tennessee State University in conservative Murfreesboro. Gendreau is athletically talented, helping take the Blue Raiders to an impressive 8-4 record in the Sun Belt Conference, and has his sights set on the NFL. Gendreau is also openly gay.

Gendreau felt supported by his fellow players, having come out to the team in his freshman year. Teammate Josh Davis summed up the feelings of the  team to OutSports.

“Everyone just saw him as a football player. He was just one of the guys. The fact that he proved himself on the field, there was a respect for him.”

Still, the question remains if the NFL is ready to open its ranks to an openly gay player. Many NFL players have come out in support of gay players on the field. Chris Kluwe, punter for the Minnesota Vikings is a vocal gay rights advocate, and feels that the time has come for gay athletes to take a stand and be accepted.

“It’s totally legit that (Gendreau) can get into the league,” says Kluwe. “Place-kicking is all about doing this one specific skill set. And if you can do that, you can make it whether you’ve been out of football for one year or 10 years.”

Another positive for Gendreau and other gay athletes; endorsements. The deals that could be available for gay athletes could be lucrative for not only the players but their teams as well.

Read more about Alan Gendreau here.

Homophobia is still rampant in professional sports…football is no exception. Do you think the time is right for out players in the sport, or any of the professional sports? Weigh in with your comments here.