Was that a coming out speech from Jodie Foster last night at the Golden Globes Awards ceremony? I’m still not sure. I think it was. She used the term “came out”, didn’t she? At least I think she did.
Many of us have been waiting for Foster to come out for over 20 years now and just when we thought she was going to be, um, straight with us, she gave us 10 minutes of obfuscation and more demands for privacy.
Puh-lease. This is one of the most well-known women in Hollywood, with close to 40 years in the business and more awards than she knows what to do with. I’ve been patient for a long time. Maybe she’s waiting until she gets her first Oscar to tell us who she is, I imagined. Then she got that. Well maybe she’s waiting for a second Oscar. Then she got that. Oh well, maybe she wants to direct. Now she’s doing that, too. Ok, so it’s lifetime achievement award she’s waiting for…
I’m aware that Foster’s been supportive of the LGBT community, in particular supporting documentary films that fight AIDS. And I know she has two sons and wants them to be able to get on with their lives without being hounded by the press.
But she is a celebrity with privilege – note the degree from Yale – and in this day and age, no mega-star can demand to be treated like an average citizen who can expect to keep her personal life private. It’s time one of the most high profile actors who also happens to be gay grew up – she did scream three times that she’s 50.
You could almost imagine her claiming – I’m an artist first, not a dyke. True, that’s why you got a lifetime achievement award.
But really, if you’re brave – or misguided – enough to stand behind Mel Gibson, surely you can muster the guts to say “I’m a lesbian” on national television.
