After recent reports say 'Family Ties' mom Meredith Baxter was spotted on a gay cruise, the actress is coming clean on 'Today,' saying: "I want to say I'm a lesbian, and it was a later-in-life recognition." In an interview with Matt Lauer, Baxter -- who has been married three times and has five children -- says she figured out her sexuality seven years ago.
"Some people would say, well, you're living a lie and, you know, the truth is – not at all. This has only been for the past seven years," Baxter told Lauer. She says she didn't disclose this before because she has "always lived a very private life," and that "to come out and disclose stuff is very antithetical to who I am."
Baxter says that she realized she needed to come forward because she "got involved with someone I never expected to get involved with, and it was an awakening. I understood why I have the issue in my life ... I was involved with people who made me think they're the problem. It never occurred to me, that it was me," Baxter said.
The actress has been dating building contractor Nancy Locke for four years and acknowledges that she's the reason she decided to come out publicly.
"As much as my family knew, I was not ready to make any big announcement, I didn't want to do that. And there was one time when I was concerned that there might be some press interest ... I didn't know but I got a little paranoid and Nancy's a general contractor so she has a truck ... And I said, 'Could you park down the street, please?' and she said, 'No.'" Meredith explained.
"I had to reach a level of comfort because it wasn't fair to push her back into secrecy. We live very out lives in Los Angeles," she said.
According to LimeLife, Locke, who is 54, and Baxter met through mutual friends.
Speculation about Meredith's sexuality was raised when tabloid magazine The National Enquirer reported that she was spotted on a gay cruise recently.
Baxter shot to fame thanks to her role as matriarch Elyse Keaton on the hit '80s sitcom 'Family Ties.' Before her success there, she already had a long career in showbiz, with acting gigs dating all the way back to 1971. She had stints on 'The Love Boat,' 'Family' and 'Bridget Loves Bernie,' among other shows and movies.
Watch: Vintage 'Family Ties' Christmas Story
Baxter has five children from three separate marriages. She had two children with husband Ted Bush, and later had three more with David Birney.
In recent years, Baxter has become very focused on charity work since she survived breast cancer. She's since started her own charity -- the Meredith Baxter Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.
Kelly McGillis tells PEOPLE that prior to coming out of the closet, "ot was a difficult journey for me to come to terms and be whole and happy with who I am."
Kelly McGillis tells PEOPLE that prior to coming out of the closet, "ot was a difficult journey for me to come to terms and be whole and happy with who I am."
Amy Graves, WireImage
Meredith Baxter opened up to Matt Lauer on 'Today,' saying that seven years ago, she realized that she was a lesbian.
Getty Images
Popular 'M*A*S*H' star David Ogen Stiers reveals that he's gay. "I could claim noble reasons as coming out in order to move gay rights forward, but I must admit it is for far more selfish reasons. Now is the time I wish to find someone and I do not desire to force any potential partner to live a life of extreme discretion for me," he says.
David Livingston, Getty Images
Singer Clay Aiken came out in an interview with PEOPLE.
Well said, I'm sick and tired of people assuming that every republican is a homophobe or that all Christians are for that matter because it's simply not true and a false assumption. When are we going to stop forming our worldviews solely on what we see on the media? I believe that God has given all of us a choice. The Bible does not, from what I can see, teach people to force others to follow God. They will answer to God just as I will and that should be enough to humble anybody.
Gay marriage SHOULD be allowed. Because this country is NOT a Christian Nation. We have a Separation of Church (religion) and State (government). So when we go down to the GOVERNMENT office to obtain a MARRIAGE LICENSE, why does the BIBLE determine which law-abiding, consenting, tax-paying, citizens can obtain the license or not? This should be a no-brainer... I am not a Christian so my understanding of God is not the same as theirs. In our religion we recognize all God's children and love them the same - there is no SIN involved in homosexuality. I thank GOD I am not of the religion of hatred and intolerance.
You rock! Been with my partner for 15 years, have raised 3 children not including the two we took in when straight neighbors abandoned them at the age of 14 (twins). Equality now!
I'm sorry if some of you republicans are upset about being called homophobes, but if it bothers you that much perhaps you should work to make sure your party reflects who you are, instead of supporting these religious zealots and haters. Being a Democrat (and NOT a liberal), I know how you feel being pidgeon-holed, and I think perhaps if both parties tried to be repectful and stopped the name-calling and the "my team must win at all costs" attitude...maybe we could actually solve some of this country's problems.
SORRY, "marriage" is already taken. It tells everyone that a (unrelated) man and a woman are "married" to each other. Call it something else and quit diminishing the holy scrament of marriage. I have several gay friends and quite frankly, I liked them better when they were in the closet. I have no problem with gay's, it their choice. I am getting sick of the "in my face" crap from them. And honestly, most male homo's are just plain freaks top begin with
It appears that barbara big butt is the one on here who has a problem with gays. As a conservative, I have always enjoyed Baxter's shows and tv movies. I wish her the very best and hope she finds the happiness she is looking for. So shame on barbara big butt for bringing hate onto this board.
Gay marriage is an oxymoron. Let those who are gay develop their own name for their partnerships. Marriage should be allowed to continue to mean the same thing it always has. As for hate, I see more of it in your post than I see exhibited by those who share my opinion.
Sorry, but you are wrong! Being gay is a sexual choice and goes against the natural boundarie's of human nature. Now, I wouldn't expect somebody like you to understand, since your obviously one of those bleeding heart liberals who are ruining this wonderful nation of our's, and an illiterate. Gay's need to keep their sexual preference behind closed doors. If not for that lack of interest to those of us who are against gay marriages, but for our young children as well. Kids are innocent and shouldn't be exposed to these life-styles, seeig how it is a SEXUAL preference. At this rate, it won't be longer before people like you are voting for XX-rated shows to be brought down to a g-rated movie's and our children are exposed to porn. I pray and hope that you don't have any kids and never do. Lord only knows how your child would turn out.
Your blanket indictment of all who may disagree with YOUR views as "homophobes and republikpigs" serves as an example of hypocrisy at its worst. Pull your prejudiced, pointed head out of your ass and learn to THINK.
Don't look now, but 0bama isn't republican, and he's against gay marriage, moron. On the other hand, he DOES say he's Christian, and we don't know if he's a homophobe.
Sorry, I don't think our country is ready to accept anything but marriage between ONE woman and ONE man. You will note that the votes continue to verify this. Call it something else, but it is NOT a traditional Marriage
I'm a Republican, and I also support gay marriage. Why assume that every Republican is a pig and a homophobe? I wish the best to Merideth and her partner as well. Don't make every issue political. Just wish her the best and move on.
I don't see why anyone cares who has sex with someone of the same sex, infants, or animals. I married my dog last night. I am a polygamist and have also married a horse and am engaged to my pig and the kids next door. The laws in this country won't let me marry children without their "parents" consent. It is my right to marry and have sex with whoever and whatever we want...we are all animals afterall...lets start acting like them!!!
No!! special rights for Gays EVER - No one can force their perversion down other peoples throat - Most people DO NOT WANT GAY marriage because marraige is betweet a man and a woman!
Sorry, the Gay knuckle dragging fascists will never get Gay Marriage. Is goes against the laws of nature and anyone who practices it is condemned to an eternal hell and you know it. Remember Sodom & Gomorrah? Yeah. If you want Gay Marriage, move to Iran and see how long your request lasts.
I am not republican, I am a conservative. Please don't put my beliefs in the same class as republicans. Also Babs sucks butt and they refer to her every week in the south park intro. LOL
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The actress has been dating building contractor Nancy Locke for four years and acknowledges that she's the reason she decided to come out publicly.
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Jessie,
Well said, I'm sick and tired of people assuming that every republican is a homophobe or that all Christians are for that matter because it's simply not true and a false assumption. When are we going to stop forming our worldviews solely on what we see on the media? I believe that God has given all of us a choice. The Bible does not, from what I can see, teach people to force others to follow God. They will answer to God just as I will and that should be enough to humble anybody.
Gay marriage SHOULD be allowed. Because this country is NOT a Christian Nation. We have a Separation of Church (religion) and State (government). So when we go down to the GOVERNMENT office to obtain a MARRIAGE LICENSE, why does the BIBLE determine which law-abiding, consenting, tax-paying, citizens can obtain the license or not? This should be a no-brainer... I am not a Christian so my understanding of God is not the same as theirs. In our religion we recognize all God's children and love them the same - there is no SIN involved in homosexuality. I thank GOD I am not of the religion of hatred and intolerance.
You rock! Been with my partner for 15 years, have raised 3 children not including the two we took in when straight neighbors abandoned them at the age of 14 (twins). Equality now!
I'm sorry if some of you republicans are upset about being called homophobes, but if it bothers you that much perhaps you should work to make sure your party reflects who you are, instead of supporting these religious zealots and haters. Being a Democrat (and NOT a liberal), I know how you feel being pidgeon-holed, and I think perhaps if both parties tried to be repectful and stopped the name-calling and the "my team must win at all costs" attitude...maybe we could actually solve some of this country's problems.
SORRY, "marriage" is already taken. It tells everyone that a (unrelated) man and a woman are "married" to each other. Call it something else and quit diminishing the holy scrament of marriage.
I have several gay friends and quite frankly, I liked them better when they were in the closet. I have no problem with gay's, it their choice. I am getting sick of the "in my face" crap from them. And honestly, most male homo's are just plain freaks top begin with
It appears that barbara big butt is the one on here who has a problem with gays. As a conservative, I have always enjoyed Baxter's shows and tv movies. I wish her the very best and hope she finds the happiness she is looking for. So shame on barbara big butt for bringing hate onto this board.
Gay marriage is an oxymoron. Let those who are gay develop their own name for their partnerships. Marriage should be allowed to continue to mean the same thing it always has. As for hate, I see more of it in your post than I see exhibited by those who share my opinion.
Sorry, but you are wrong!
Being gay is a sexual choice and goes against the natural boundarie's of human nature.
Now, I wouldn't expect somebody like you to understand, since your obviously one of those bleeding heart liberals who are ruining this wonderful nation of our's, and an illiterate.
Gay's need to keep their sexual preference behind closed doors. If not for that lack of interest to those of us who are against gay marriages, but for our young children as well. Kids are innocent and shouldn't be exposed to these life-styles, seeig how it is a SEXUAL preference.
At this rate, it won't be longer before people like you are voting for XX-rated shows to be brought down to a g-rated movie's and our children are exposed to porn.
I pray and hope that you don't have any kids and never do. Lord only knows how your child would turn out.
New meat for Rosie O Donut!!
Your blanket indictment of all who may disagree with YOUR views as "homophobes and republikpigs" serves as an example of hypocrisy at its worst. Pull your prejudiced, pointed head out of your ass and learn to THINK.
Don't look now, but 0bama isn't republican, and he's against gay marriage, moron. On the other hand, he DOES say he's Christian, and we don't know if he's a homophobe.
Sorry, I don't think our country is ready to accept anything but marriage between ONE woman and ONE man. You will note that the votes continue to verify this. Call it something else, but it is NOT a traditional Marriage
I'm a Republican, and I also support gay marriage. Why assume that every Republican is a pig and a homophobe? I wish the best to Merideth and her partner as well. Don't make every issue political. Just wish her the best and move on.
I don't see why anyone cares who has sex with someone of the same sex, infants, or animals. I married my dog last night. I am a polygamist and have also married a horse and am engaged to my pig and the kids next door. The laws in this country won't let me marry children without their "parents" consent. It is my right to marry and have sex with whoever and whatever we want...we are all animals afterall...lets start acting like them!!!
Marriage IS a choice! (Unless you're a Muslim woman)
No!! special rights for Gays EVER - No one can force their perversion down other peoples throat - Most people DO NOT WANT GAY marriage because marraige is betweet a man and a woman!
It's perverted, it's unnatural, and you're an idiot
Sorry, the Gay knuckle dragging fascists will never get Gay Marriage. Is goes against the laws of nature and anyone who practices it is condemned to an eternal hell and you know it. Remember Sodom & Gomorrah? Yeah. If you want Gay Marriage, move to Iran and see how long your request lasts.
What part of the constitution gives gays a "right"? I must have missed that page. She is absolute proof it is a choice.
I am not republican, I am a conservative. Please don't put my beliefs in the same class as republicans. Also Babs sucks butt and they refer to her every week in the south park intro. LOL