It's (finally!) official: Bob Harper is gay - and not just in the old happy meaning of the word, but in the wonderfully sexual and romantic way. Bob Harper is one of us! Welcome to the family, you awesome human being... and he's HOT too!
Now, this may not come as news to many of us LGBTQ people, but to the mainstream public this is quite a surprise for many people. And in recent years he got into cross fit, which means he's even more of a "real" man - though to those of us in the know, he's obviously just an insanely gorgeous bear.
When they look at him, they see a gorgeous manly man - which he certainly is - but they manage to ignore his wonderfully femine ways that I LOVE. Jillian was always the tough one, while he was the big ol' softie on "The Biggest Loser"... and now they're both out and proud almost 10 years after America got to know them on show.
But really, I'm just happy it's finally official even if many are surprised. Though I have a hard time understanding why... I mean, the man had a dog named after a fashion designer (Karl Lagerfeld) and was Ellen DeGeneres' personal trainer before "The Biggest Loser", which - at least combined - gives a pretty good indication.
I've always loved the show and BOTH Jillian and Bob. And as much as I was upset and disappointed with Jillian Michaels while she was in the closet, I was also thrilled and ready to cheer her on, when she came out in May 2012.
"The Biggest Loser" aka "The all-american gay boy next door and his lesbian partner get America in shape".
First Jillian and now Bob, which means I can FINALLY say “I told you so” to all the people, who were shipping them romantically for years. They are the greatest reality brotp though!
Jillian Michaels has just become a mom... times two! Not only did she just adopt a little 2 year old girl, Lukensia, from Haiti, but her partner - Heidi Rhoades aka Mouse - also just gave birth to their son, Phoenix, on May 3 in Los Angeles.
Now, this isn't my interpretation of events, but Jillian Michaels' own account of recent events through an interview with People Magazine.
"In an exclusive at-home interview and photo shoot, she discusses the two-year journey that led her to her daughter and reveals an incredible twist of fate: Rhoades, 31, delivered their son the same week Michaels finally brought their daughter home."
Now, you all know I've previously been pretty irritated (and yes, maybe even a bit angry) by Jillian Michaels and the way she was out on one hand - via the "If I fall in love with a woman, that’s awesome. If I fall in love with a man, that’s awesome." statement in Ladies Home Journal back in January 2012 - but then on the other hand rejecting any kind of interview with AfterEllen in August 2011.
Of course, now it's pretty obvious that this was just about nine months ago, so maybe she was a bit stressed out and just plain nervous about too much stress and publicity on her personal life, while she and her partner was trying to get pregnant AND adopt.
Ever since I heard about her trying to adopt, I've been saying that she'd probably come out in a more public way as soon as everything was settled - just like Ricky Martin and Clay Aikin finally came out almost as soon as they became parents.
And isn't their daughter just the sweetest little girl.
In any case, I just want to say: Welcome to the family, Jillian! I never turned my back on you or gave up, but I sure did hold a grudge, so I'm feeling mighty fine now.
I spy with my queer eye... Someone not appreciating us. And I don't like it!
I love it when celebrities show the LGBT community some love and appreciation. Fortunately, most celebrities have realized that this doesn't make them gay by association - though it does often make us wish they were. It's all flattery in its purest form really. And they seem to understand this, so it's a win-win situation.
The problem I have with a lot of bi or gay (male or female) celebrities is when they seem to steer away from the LGBT press and even just commenting on relevant issues and campaigns in relation to the LGBT community. I mean, when asked point blank, you should be able to say something intelligent - or just voice your opinion, however intelligent it may (or may not) be.
Someone like Ellen DeGeneres - whom I ADORE - still hasn't done an interview of any kind with AfterEllen.com, though they have tried to encourage this many times (they've written about this in a very positive way a few times). But she certainly doesn't hold back or refuse to comment, when asked about LGBT issues. She has done a lot of good, and she's not the type of celebrity I'm talking about here.
Total power couple. Just by existing and being out and proud, they do more than any campaign could aspire to!
But lately, someone who has publicly stated that she is open to relationships with both men and women - though certainly not to a LGBT media, what an awful thought - pretty much just dissed AfterEllen.com at a TV convention: Jillian Michaels. She's someone I've personally thought pretty highly of for a long time - and endorsed through buying what she's selling. Literally. But this time, I think her homophobic actions (that's right, I said it) have gone too far.
Let's set the scene, shall we? This is what she said to Ladies Home Journal in January 2010:
“Let’s just say I believe in healthy love,” Michaels tells writer Judith Newman. “If I fall in love with a woman, that’s awesome. If I fall in love with a man, that’s awesome. As long as you fall in love … It’s like organic food. I only eat healthy food, and I only want healthy love!”
So, why is it she had this reaction, when AfterEllen wanted to interview her at a public press event in August 2011:
"I introduced myself, as I usually do, as being from AfterEllen.com. Jillian put her hand up and said "Oh no, sorry" and turned to her publicist, pulling her away and adding, "I don't need that." Dissed! She doesn't need press about her sportswear line?" (read more over at AfterEllen)
WTF? Here's this person, on a show (several shows actually) helping people make the most of their lives by getting their act together and getting healthy. Often this involves dealing with their emotional problems, which is something I can relate very easily to in regards to being gay and having weight issues. Practice what you preach, would ya? What kind of role model are you for the young gay teens? You can't deny the big problems this group is facing. I mean, pretty much everyone who's anyone - and has a heart - has done something for the "It gets better"-project, but here this woman is, saying "I don't need that".
What exactly is it she doesn't need? Our money, the publicity we garner for her or just her overall career?!
I mean, just about everyone else AfterEllen approaches, as part of the press at various events, are more than happy to give interviews and just bask in our love and adoration for them. And why wouldn't they. We - the LGBT people, and lesbians in particular - are among THE most loyal fan base you could possibly wish for. Once you're "in" with us, you need to REALLY fuck up royally before we give up on you. And even then, we're a pretty forgiving bunch. I mean, just check out the AfterEllen and AfterElton hot 100 lists, and it's clear that we hang on to our favorites. Even after their shows (or even careers) have ended!
But what has irked me about Jillian Michaels for a while is the fact that she has absolutely NO problem talking about past boyfriends - here's an example from a radio show, accompanied by a few pictures
I had a boyfriend once too, and look at me now: Gay as a rainbow!
Anyway, this clearly tells me that she's fine about sharing private things. As long as these things portray a person who isn't gay. And puh-lease, I have never encountered a more gay-acting person. Usually, you're talking about gay people acting straight, but in this case, we have someone, who has said she is bi, but refuses to talk about anything but her straight action, while being butch to the core.
Maybe they share the same publicist?
Oh, and for the record, I don't blame Kristen in ANY way, for not talking about her sexuality. Either way. Let me be clear on this: I have previously talked about Stewart’s publicists and production companies fighting like HELL to make her look straight. She herself has been pretty much quiet on it, and though I believe visibility is important, I certainly prefer this method as opposed to Jillian Michaels' tricks.
Jillian Michaels at an HRC event - I haven't given up on her yet. Not completely!
I'm fine with people trying not to be political. I don't quite understand it, but if you're not a fighter by nature, then so be it. I wouldn't exactly say that Jillian Michaels isn't a fighter though, so...
Anyway, I found this quote the other day and must admit, I think it fits perfectly:
"It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not." - Andre Gide
Gaying it forward, one post at a time! ;o)
- GG
P.S. AfterEllen.com has touched on the subject of The Biggest Losers' trainers’ sexuality before, since it seems they're actively trying to keep them in the closet - click here for the article - but still, you make your own choices and face the impact of them. Good and bad.
Well, I never really use the word "lesbian". I mean, I do use it every now and then, but I define myself as "gay" and not "lesbian". I have no problem with the L word, but many years back - more than a decade, which is just scary to think about, LOL - when I came out, I really wasn't very happy with the word and it seemed like only certain homosexual women (angry, older, more butch and man hating) called themselves "Lesbians", but I was happy, young - still am, darn it - not butch, but not really super femine either, and I know many men that I think are just wonderful (gay and straight), so I went with the word that happy Ellen DeGeneres chose, when she proudly proclaimed "Yep, I'm gay!".
Me too!
Anyway, when you need to choose your name online, it seems other people have always had the same thought as you, so of course you need to find a new name, and so I thought to myself... What's gay? What's cool? Funny? Sounds good? What works that I can remember and identify with? And then it hit me...
Oh yeah, baby... it's like a new and improved version - or a cool robot, and I'm a bit geeky like that. GayGirl2000... Thank you, Jack!
- GG
P.S. I've lost a good 5 pounds so far, and things are going really good - except I've just been wined and dined for three days in a row. ;o) My parents love to take out me and my Wifey... We really are just foodies, and it is our summer vacation these days.
Besides, Wifey's got the greatest metabolism and can eat like a construction worker, while maintaining the look of a swimsuit model (I know, the world is unfair, but at least she's mine, so I'm not complaining... much), so my parents really enjoy taking us out for dinner. People always love guests with a good appetite. Anyway, I'm staying on board with the Jillian Michaels workouts and am back on track on the food/calorie intake now as well.
This week is all about summer! My summer vacation starts this week, but Wifey still has another week of work, so I'm going to make the most of this week by doing some stuff around the house, work on learning Spanish and - this next part is actually my primary mission - I'm going to go ALL in and get a committed beginning to losing some weight and especially get in shape.
My inspiration - one of them anyway - is to get the body I want, which is pretty much like the one featured in my Image of Sunday (and this will be my wallpaper for at least a week)...:
Need I say that Wifey is also looking forward to when I can say "Mission Accomplished"? ;o)
I've joined the Jillian Michaels program (@ JillianMichaels.com), which I expect can help get my butt kicked into shape, and give me a good start. I've actually always thought very highly of her - love her no nonsense approach, and I believe that sometimes you do need to get beaten to the ground to realize you can make a decision to get back up and be better. And now that she's more open about her sexuality (bisexual from her comments so far), I feel good about choosing her to be my guide on this tour of HELL, which will no doubt leave me with a need to vent. That's why I plan on using this space right here, my blog, to get my thoughts and feelings out.
