Meredith Baxter Reveals She's Gay

By PopEater Staff Posted Dec 2nd 2009 07:56AM

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.

Tags: family ties, FamilyTies, meredith baxter, MeredithBaxter, today show, TodayShow

Comments

(855)

Wednesday 02 December

By Live and let Live

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It is not a choice, all the Gay people that I know have been gay since childhood...too much ignorance keeps people from being who they are...everyone who claims to be Christian should also know that it is not your place to judge...so a whole lot of so-called "Christians" should plan on joining the rest of us sinners in hell! (not that I believe in "hell", but you get my meaning, in other words, if you are a Christian and you are condemning and passing judgment on others than you should prepare yourself for fire and brimstone, as well!) My GOD loves us all!

By Dottir

I think it is great that she is finally happy in her own skin. That was a brave thing to do on national television, but at least answered many questions that were sure to be circulated. Good for her.

By Mark

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Finally happy in her own skin? Have u seen that picture of her in her own skin? She looks like she could shed at any moment!

By RKL

Anything that is an abomination to the very fabric of life itself cannot be natural. When was the last time you saw a gay animal? Never right? That's because nature did not pre-suppose homosexuality and it can only happen by choice !

By Mary

RKL: Check your facts. There are "gay" animals - nature doesn't always get it right either. Don't be so judgemental.

By steve

WRONG!!!! I have two dogs, both males and they lick each other all the time. No idea why, but they do so I figure they must be gay. So what??? Not my cup of tea so to speak, but what business is it of our's what two consenting people (or animals) do?? Be nice to people. And animals....

By Audrey

there are many animals in the wild that display homosexual behavior. brown bear, african elephant, king penguin, salmon, rattlesnakes, just to name a few. get your facts straight buddy and stop being so close minded.

By Barb

I am sorry, you have not been around many animals! I have seen gay cats, bulls, goats and a horse so it does occur in nature and when you pay big bucks for a prize bull who moons around a pasture following the other bull, it is noticeable. Take care of yourself and don't judge others.

By pd

You are wrong about animals. They attempt to ride the same sex all the time. Farmers put a dye pack on cows so they can tell when they are in estrus and are ready to be inseminated. The other " COWS " , female cattle , jump on their backs and red dye shoots out and then the farmer goes to work. ; }

By judy

Sorry but there are lots of animals that are gay and also go both ways..google them you may get a shock so nature isnt to black and white. AGod made us all period. People have a right to be happy and to be who and what they are without some people who need the lights off and be pitch black in the room to have sex, calling the unnatural.

By Sally

You are so misinformed. There most certainly are gay animals. Sorry to burst you bubble but being gay is NOT a choice. People are born that way. Science has proved this fact over and over again. Catch up with the times!

By JDD

Only someone who is not gay and does not know and love someone who is gay can say this lifesytle is by choice. Why would someone knowingly enter a lifestyle which would bring them grief, lack of rights and bare harrassment from everywhere one would turn?
The only choice a gay person has is to be true to themselves. That's the choice I made 28 years ago and I am a happier individual than many who are never true to themselves.
Me and my partner of almost 17 years have a more steady stable healthy and secure relationship than many straight people I know. And we are happier and more in love than many couples in relationships this long!
Its the 21st century...its time for everyone to open their eyes. I can't hurt you with my lifestyle so why try to hurt me?

By paul martin

as a mater of fact, nearly 90% of the animal kingdom have shown homosexuality in their species...this is a fact. look it up.

By willyfast

There are gay animals in the wild and in each species they are treated as the lowest member in the pack, herd, etc. Wolves are a prime example. If there is a homosexual in the pack they do not take part in the hunt, do not eat until the rest of the pack is finished, and are generally treated as an outcast.

I concede that there are gay animals, but I maintain that their behavior is abhorrent and that they are engaging in "self-indulgence" not sexuality. BIG difference. Might also want to keep in mind that MAN was instructed not to "lie with man". Animals were never given such direction, therefore man has made a CHOICE to behave as he does.

By hmwallace

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paul martin,

It is found in the animal kingdom, no doubt. However, last I checked it wasn't 90%. I'll have to double check of course, but sounds like somebody is stretching the numbers. This figure can only be calculated by people who assume that two male dogs licking and humping and homosexuals among many other examples. This assumption is silly since many animals don't realize what they are doing and are only acting out of instinct to mate and sometimes that leads to a romance with a stuffed animal.

Lastly, within religious circles, homosexuality in a fallen world isn't surprising.

Tuesday 15 December

By Ken1940

I'm a late 60's straight male. The idea that sexual orientation is a "choice" is absolutely ludicrous. I have NEVER had any desire to engage in any sexual activity with another male. To me the idea is gross. As for the "gay lifestyle", no straight male is attracted to that, unless a person's idea of fun is being assaulted and/or ridiculed, and gay men have been subjected to both. I can only surmise that those who think that is a "choice" must be conflicted about their own sexuality.

I have a female dog who thinks she is a male so once again-WRONG!

By Rosie

I'm a little disappointed. I believe it's wrong to be gay but that doesn't mean I hate her. I always liked her as an actress. Just like I do wrong things and will be judged so will she.

By ken

we may be judged but I think that we should not be judging each other

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