Queen Latifah on Being A Lesbian

Photo courtesy of PerezHilton.com

Queen Latifah is the subject of Ebony Magazine’s October cover issue.  The article which is 12 pages long focuses mainly on Latifah's endorsement contract with CoverGirl, her new clothing line, and, the magazine's promotion of Harley-Davidson and Honda motorcycles.  But as blogger Rod 2.0 points out, the most interesting passage is when Queen Latifah channels Jodie Foster when the always intriguing subject of her sexuality was introduced in a throwaway line:

Asked about the stories swirling on the Internet and elsewhere that claim she is romantically involved with a female fitness trainer, Latifah immediately says: "No comment on that at all. I'm done commenting on all that ... It's ridiculous, I know me and that's all I need to know.

“And if the readers don't know me, then that’s one part they aren't going to get to know. Those are my people but they don't sleep with me," she says in a very even tone that is very consistent with her relaxed mood. "It feels so invasive. It's the one thing I don't think people need to know about."

Unlike previous statements where Latifah claimed that she was still "looking for a good brotha", the singer-actress now says she is done commenting on one particular situation which is a private matter.

All I got to say is that you either are or you’re not.  And most of us know which category Latifah falls into.

I’m not sure why at this point in Latifah’s career she feels that she can’t be totally honest about who she is.  I mean she’s come a long ways since Cleo and “Set It Off.”

But alas, there’s more.  On the subject of how of her busy career has given her no other choice but to adopt rather can conceive…

"People make assumptions about women who adopt, and I think its wrong," she says. "Some people assume unless you are Angelina Jolie, that you are adopting because you don't have a man and you may be gay and you want to have a kid. I think that's not the right connotation to put to that."

Perhaps so, but what are we supposed to think when we see rapper turned actresses turned singers riding big motorcycles down Santa Monica Blvd. in the heart of West Hollywood and partying up in Michelle’s XXX, a lesbian club known for it’s celebrity lesbian clientele?  Please enlighten me.

And while I am not advocating that Latifah be outed in anyway, I am a bit perplexed as to how a woman that’s supposed to be a role model for strength can not show any of her own as it relates to her sexuality. All of these word games.  “I’m looking for a good brotha” and “It's ridiculous, I know me and that's all I need to know.” 

First of all, most people who are heterosexual when asked about being gay will emphatically set the record straight.  And they’ll straight up say, I’m straight.  Some men will even try to beat you down if you insinuate otherwise. And in the case of women who are straight, you know the line…“I’m strictly dickly.”  There’s no jumping around the bush and all of that madness about it being a private matter.  To be even more blunt, it’s usually not in heterosexuals nature to be so evasive about being straight.  No, that’s usually reserved for those of us in the closet or those of us that aren’t completely comfortable with talking about our gay sexuality. So that alone would make Latifah suspect in my eyes if I didn’t know any better already. 

I’m sure if I asked my 87 year-old grandmother today if she thought Latifah was gay she’s say yes.  And if I followed that up with, but would you still go and see her in a movie, she’d say yes to that too.  The reason for that is simple.  When it comes to celebrities, I don’t think people care the way they would if the person in question were a Senator, Governor, quarterback, short-stop, or point guard.  The other and perhaps most important reason that I don’t think her sexuality would be that much of an issue is that, what most gay people who think they’re pulling off straight don’t seem to realize is that people know.  They may not say anything to your face about it, but they know.  I don’t care how long the weave is, how packed the MAC is, or how high the heels are, you are who you are and it always comes through loud and clear regardless of how hard you try to hide it.  Even in interviews when the simplest answer you could ever give to the question of your sexuality is either yes I am gay, no I am straight, or I am bisexual.  End of story.  All of the shucking and jiving and elaborate drawn out answers that are strangely reminiscent of the dances done by politicians on subjects they’d rather not be speaking on, end up telling the story for you.

Click here to read Ebony's article.

h/t: Rod, Marquita

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Comments

[tfcomes cphvksblo]

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She has to be gay because i don't know of any men that would want her....She just doesn't look that great...

so what what if she is gay who cares. i no one thing she got bank think about that

[Pretti*Boi]

i am a huge fan of hers and also a lesbian. i think if she wants to come out she will. if shes a lesbian or not i still think shes fantastic. it would be a nice thing to know but think what would it do for her career? how many people would still be fans if she did come out. we should all think about that.

[Renee]

If this is true....it matters to us because it tells us what type person Latifah is. A Liar!!! The companies that promote her are low class from hollywood, Covergirl or the companies that promote her music or whatever..."to thine ownself be true" Latifah and quit being a fake and a fraud. Make a statement in a reputable magazine or better yet, how about making one on "The Insider". Ever notice how people without good, balanced fathers have problems with their sexuality. Either their father was missing from the home, abusive or passive. Either way, he didn't play an active and emotional role in their children's lives and now here they are looking for love in all the wrong places. It's a problem for our women and men. Sad sad sad

[Roger]

I believe Latifah will come out in her own time and on her own terms -- like Rosie O'Donnell. For years Rosie pretended to have crushes on men, Tom Cruise in particular. (In retrospect, how bizarre is that?!)

Rosie finally came out, and she hasn't shut up since. All she talks about is lesbian this and gay that. She took her time and came out when she was ready, but now she's determined to out everyone she can. What a hypocrite!

Ellen Degeneres suffered a huge career setback when she came out. After struggling for a few years, her career is back on track and she's doing better than ever.

Jodie Foster recently acknowledged her partner in public for the first time, and it's all over the news. (Raise your hand if this is 'news' to you! LOL!)

So... what will happen if Latifah comes out? Black folks will lose their %@&*% minds!

In the Black community there's a major difference between 'suspecting' that someone is gay and having it 'confirmed' by the person. (Why do you think Luther Vandross never came out? It's not like people didn't know he was gay.)

Bottom line: Latifah has a realistic view of the world. She risks losing a lot by coming out... endorsement deals, music fans, acting roles, etc. Why take that risk? What's in it for her?

It'll make others happy (?), but it could signal the end of her career as she knows it.

Peace.

[Resa]

I would like to point out a few things, as I read the comments...several people stated " what people do in their bedroom is their business" I disagree..It should be their business but more likely it isn't if that were true (sodomy) would not be an issue now would it? it would not be still recorded as illegal...because does'nt that happen in the privacy of peoples bedrooms? I happen to think Queen Latifah is a great comedy and movie maker, however do not like her singing and that is my opnion...just as the author of these pages is entitled to her's you and I are entitled ours. And far as people of color that are able to help the black lesbian community...I agree with the author...we are missing something important...If we all stood still and didn't take a firm role in what we believe in ..humm would we still be slaves? I'm sure there will be comments saying thats irrelevant, but I think not.."If everyone minded their own business" as one response suggeted who would have made it their business that slavery was and is wrong? perhaps sometimes we need to move out of the comfort zone, and make things happen! that's my two-cents..

[Stephanie Bates(15)]

Okay guys, youve had your talking and your second hand gossiping downfold, Now lets get to where it really points out that she is nothing more then a gay, Lesbian, Bisexual person who doesnt like to tell anyone about her sexual orientaions becuase she might aswell be embarrased, or maybe she just can't handle the truth of what she feels deep down inside. Honestly, and this Is MY OPINION, She should flaunt what she has becuase, Once youve got it theres no going back.

Just becuase a person is What they are., Doesnt give you the right to treat them any different then how you would like to be treated. Queen Latifah Is such a great role model on every other matter such as, looks, Personality, and Respect. Please and Im begging you, Dont treat people any different on thier lifestyles. becuase not only is it wrong, Its just plain Dumb :).

[MinMychaeltodd]

It does not make her a coward for not coming out, and she does'nt have to give back anything.....legally. If she does give, you'll probably not know about it. Some people give in private. Salty people who have less are haters at heart with envy to rich people. I like out people and the ones who choose to live it in, are still my brothers and sisters. Still I'm not saying she is gay, because I don't know or really care. But I will not sit by and let another person disrespect her by calling her a coward. This is a sister who steps out in public everyday facing a bunch of haters, and people who want what she have, and some willing to go after her anyway they can, even if means lying, name calling, or bashing her good name. Get a life people, help someone near you in need.

[MinMychaeltodd]

Worry about your own bedroom secrets, and what are you to value/gain by knowning someones elses sexual business? Most people today have nothing better to do but GOSSIP! Volunteer and get yourself some self-respect by helping someone instead of hurting someone with second-hand GOSSIP. True or false, it's gossip. If you don't get from the persons mouth, keep yours shut. Buy the way, going to a club; stripper, gay, straight or S.M........does not makes you any of the above.

[taylor Siluwé]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Yes, it's no one's business who sleeps with who, who's gay and who's straight.

And if we didn't live in a time where the rights of gays are being eroded by the hypocritical powers that be (in America), and sometimes their very lives taken on a whim (Jamaica, Iran, Uganda etc etc ...), then I'd say I'll all for her cowardly stance.

This is the real world, and if you've been given much you've got a responsibility to step up and gave back much.

At this stage in her glorious remarkable career, loosing a few dollars and small-minded fans is so silly it borders on ridiculous.

Girlfriend needs to do some serious introspection.

[Deocliciano Okssipin Vieira]

She is just saying:

Am I your mother?
Why should I be your role model? Live your life, and learn with it.

No One should question others sexual orientation!
It is just Stupid.

What the answer would bring to this world?

OH.

What is the importance of one's sexual orientation?

I value people for what they honor every day. That is what makes you Thick!

[ZiZen]

I really don't understand why people are so insistent on her "just coming out." First of all, like Me said, you KNOW folks are gonna trip. Maybe she doesn't want that drama. Maybe she doesn't want to risk her career. Maybe she ain't gay. As my mama says when it comes to people and their sexual activities, "unless your name is mattress or sheet, you don't know cause you weren't there."

And besides, who wants somebody representing them who has to be forced to "admit" that they're gay? That automatically makes being gay seem like some sort of weird or unnatural "lifestyle." I mean, even the language gay people use when they're trying to say why somebody should come out comes off as sounding like being gay is something naughty.

"So that alone would make Latifah suspect in my eyes if I didn’t know any better already."

Suspect? Dang, is she gay or a child molestor?

And anyway, it's HER life. She doesn't owe anyone an explanation of anything she does that's legal. Even public figures have the right to have private matters.

[Fc]

In my opinion she does not want people in her business, everyone has their own degree of sexuality, some people are out and about, some are not, that does not make her gay.

[Fc]

In my opinion she does not want people in her business, everyone has their own degree of sexuality, some people are out and about, some are not, that does not make her gay.

[Ron Lee]

Latifah, should realize that once she accept a Revlon contract,thats very highly profiled people are first of all wondering whats going on. Everyone is saying she's in with white gay hollywood and subsiquently being over exposed as a celebrity. If Latifah want to make a real difference in Show business she'd ask Revlon to hire some real Black beautiful models. Latifah your over exposed and society expects to see successful woman go threw a sucession of men. L.A. is full of good brothers...handsome & rich. PEACE. WHO WANT TO SEE HER AT A PREMIERE BY HERSELF ???

[movies for lesbians]

I think all the speculation about celebrities and their sexually just pushes them further into the closet and pegs them in a corner. This makes it more difficult for them to come out
Leave Queen Latifah alone. If she is a lesbian, her business. She will come out when she wants to, if she wants to

Webmaster
http://www.moviesforlesbians.com

[jbyrd130]

Jas, we don't always agree but you and I are completely in sync on this one. Of course everyone is entitled to a personal life, and i'm not one to pretend that the world magically changes every time a celeb comes out, but the "it's no one's business" line is just messy at this point.

It's a simple question, and one that she should be mature enough to answer. If she was asked whether or not she was into fisting it would've been another matter (lol), but certain truths need to be aired out. If she's worried about money she could just pull a Ellen and revamp her talk show or something, sheesh!! If she keeps this up, a sex tape is going to surface before she shares her truth with the world!

[david]

I don't really think her career would be in much trouble if she came out. After all, we're talking about the famously liberal Hollywood, not Alabama. Maybe her appeal wouldn't be as wide as when she denies she is, but that doesn't mean that she couldn't be a good role model for kids questioning their sexual orientation. I agree that she shouldn't be pressured to come out, but that she flatly avoids such questions discourages people from being honest (to themselves and the world) about their sexuality.

[Bernie]

I read her quotes and think she's simply saying in essence, "I've always been out and don't need to make a big announcement about it." She's not claiming to be straight, but rather saying she knows who she is and her readers should have figured it out as well.

And you're right. It's only L/G folk who respond with "it's nobody's business" when asked about their sexual orientation, thereby verifying the obvious.

[keisha]

i dont think she should be outed but it aint no secret either. i seen her in michelesxxx before. her and half the la sparks. she cant be too much in the closet if she go to gay clubs where people can see her. and black will trip if she comes out but i dont think her fans are mostly black anyway, queen lastifah crossed over a long time ago in terms of her appeal. i say stop lying and just come out. better she do it on her terms than waking up and theres a pic of her in the inquirer kissing her lover, lol.

[Me]

I'm not sure what planet you live on, but you know damn well if she came out black people would trip. You are giving the general public way too much credit ... it would hurt her career and she knows that. And besides, it's none of anybody's damn business. Coming out is a process and she should do it in her own time. If that time never comes, then so be it. But it should be done her way. I get tired of judgmental queens and dykes trying to bully people into coming out. I'm out, but I don't have anything against people who aren't because everybody isn't in the position to be. She has a hell of a lot more to lose than gain by screaming "I'm gay." Let the woman do her thing. She has never proclaimed to be a model of strength to lesbian women of color. It's this kind of position that is a big part of the reason the gay community is as divided as it is. If people would just let folks live, things wouldn't be as hostile as they often are. People just need to let folks be ...