Sean Hayes Comes Out in The Advocate

By Sarah Crow Posted Mar 8th 2010 04:42PM

After years of speculation about his personal life, 'Will and Grace' actor Sean Hayes has finally acknowledged, albeit circuitously, that he's gay in an interview with The Advocate.

Hayes, who became a household name in the late 90s for his role as Jack McFarland on the NBC comedy, has been notoriously mum about his sexual orientation until now.

In the interview, which appears in April's issue of The Advocate, the actor says, "I never have had a problem saying who I am... I am who I am. I was never in, as they say. Never."

Hayes is a member of an ever-growing list of celebrities who have come out in the media after hitting the big-time.

*NSYNC heartthrob Lance Bass famously appeared on the cover of PEOPLE magazine alongside the words "I'm Gay" in July of 2006 after rumors of an alleged relationship with 'Amazing Race' winner Reichen Lemkuhl hit the blogosphere.

Actor Neil Patrick Harris, who first became famous for his eponymous role on 'Doogie Howser, M.D. and more recently for his role as Barney Stinson on 'How I Met Your Mother,' opened up to the same magazine just months later in November 2006. In his interview, Harris told PEOPLE, "I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest."

As for why Hayes took so long in making his sexual orientation public, he says, "Nobody owes anything to anybody. You are your authentic self to whom and when you choose to be, and if you don't know somebody, then why would you explain to them how you live your life?"

He adds, "I feel like I've contributed monumentally to the success of the gay movement in America, and if anyone wants to argue that, I'm open to it. You're welcome."

Tags: gay, neil patrick harris, sean hayes, will and grace

Comments

(297)

Tuesday 09 March

By SkyBlue

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Holy crap! Sean Hayes is gay? What a shock!

Monday 08 March

By Zenmont

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The only people who will have no "eternal" life are the suppressive, ultra conservative, ultra religious, "I'm better than anyone else" Bible thumpers, who constantly think they can tell others how to live their lives and put people down for living the way they were born to live. Passing judgment on others and condemning how people exist, is not a Godly thing to do.

By pbglossup

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Lets not bring mythical figures into this......If you believe in a Christian god, than you have more problems than any gay person. I guess you never had sex before marriage either, huh? The self righteous are sooo lame!

By Ugh

Doesnt matter what you say, these folks in this crazy cult are already brainwashed to believe what that POS book says!!!! Sorry if the truth hurts folks, but thats exactly what it is a CULT. Ever hear them speak in tongue? That crap is wicked scary!!!

By Kathy

Gay or straight, it's no ones business. It's time people start accepting people as they are and for who they are. Sean is a talented man, who brought many laughs into my living room. The sooner we drop labels and classifications (race, gender sexual orientation, nationality,etc., the better and happier we'll be.

I'll never understand why we place so much emphasis on labels instead of integrity and character, which matter the most.

By Sam

I totally agree Kathy, in this society and in Christianity its like you can be the most hateful, judge-mental,greedy, rude, and hypocritical person in the world, but your perfect as long as your not, black, Hispanic, Jewish, Indian, homosexual, or an atheist. As a Christian I know gays,atheists, agnostics, and wiccans who are nicer and have more morals and values than a lot of fellow Christians I have met. Its a shame really.

By Hi Pam !

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Amen Sista!!!!!!

By crysjumar

Because being gay right now is not only a lifstyle, it is also a cause. Perception matters a lot. If a celebrity "hides" that they are gay, then it is perceived that being gay is somehow wrong and gives ammunition to those not tolerant.

Sunday 14 March

By thegirl

its all between the person and God. we are not to judge one way or the other. Like in kindergarten 'just worry about yourself'

By Mike

Harris was a bit of a surprise. Hayes, not so much.

Don't look now, pbglossup, but your smug self-satisfaction is kinda lame, too!

By Kezia

Mike what I was refering to is making it legal for gay people to marry, adopt, etc.. and to be given all the same rights that straight people are given. It is actually a slogan from HRC which fights for the rights of gay people, among others. So clearly, you are the moron!

By penny

God did not "say" it was a sin to be Gay. Men wrote the Bible. Men decided that they would be the ones to "judge" whether or not they thought it was right or wrong. Men, not God. The Bible is a good moral code. Nothing more. It was written thousands of years ago, and also, lets not forget, hundreds of years AFTER Christ died. People can't even get a story straight 5 minutes after it happens. Live and let live. What people do in the privacy of their own home is nobody's business as long as they aren't hurting anyone. Who cares? Why do we need a law about it? As long as people are happy, why does it really matter?

By zenmont

Penny, I couldn't have said it better myself. The Bible was meant to be used as a guide, not a crutch. So many people (my ex-brother-in-law included) can't even make the slightest move without referring to the Bible to see if it's ok. My sister's ex had to read it to find out if it was okay to let my sister have her divorce. Oh man, we were all praying for that one! Somehow these obsessive Bible quoters think it's their job to poke their moral nose into everyone's business.

By Connie

Maybe the thing Sean was afraid of by not saying much or anything was being pegged for always gay characters , and not getting out of the Jack character, he is an actor as such he can pretend to love any costar lord knows many actors of the past have had to go against their sexuality open or not to do what they love to do which is act or have a chance at better parts. I think its stupid to say every famous or semi famous person is obligated to be open about all aspects of their lives they dont owe that to us..

By GERRY

DID HE REALLY THINK THAT PEOPLE THOUGHT HE WAS STRAIGHT? I DON'T THINK SO - AND WHO REALLY CARED. HE IS AN ACTOR AND PLAYED THE PART TO THE HILT (NO PUN INTENDED). HE'S FUNNY AND A GOOD ACTOR.

By J

NOBODY thought Hayes was straight.

incorrect

By Dan

Science continues to disprove organized religion-in particular the delusional Islamic and Christian fundamentalists.They both twist and distort their holy books as well as creating their own false science.

By sammy1

Show me where science has proven that religion is false??? Show me where science has been able to recreate the "big bang theory" Everyone who says that religion is fake can not prove it otherwise. That being said the most important thing us "bible thumpers" should believe is that God is the only one who can judge. That means that we all need to quit judging eachother, we are what we are. Live your life the best you can and leave everyone else alone.

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