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Morrissey's admiration for gay icons such as Oscar Wilde and James Dean, and his references to gay culture (as in the picture of openly gay Andy Warhol star Joe Dallesandro on the cover of The Smiths' debut album) have led many fans to conclude that he is, in fact, gay. But while his fellow 80's vaguely gay pop stars George Michael, Neil Tennant, and Boy George have all eventually made their way out of the closet, Morrissey's sexuality has remained undefined.

Then there is British pop star Robbie Williams, ex-member of gay-friendly boy band Take That. In the late 90s, he forged a hugely successful solo career for himself, emerging as the UK's premier male singer (a title that has only been contested by openly gay Pop Idol winner Will Young). Williams has tended to present himself as exuberantly heterosexual in his videos, which typically show him making out with some scantily clad female. But in interviews and in live appearances, he has been far from averse to suggesting that he might be queer.

In an April 2000 appearance on UK pop show Top of the Pops, he announced that “tomorrow I will be coming out as a homosexual”. Performing his single "Supreme", he raised his arm at the line “All the handsome men are gay”, as if to imply that this applied to him. In October 2001, his concert at the Royal Albert Hall included a cover of the song "Me and My Shadow", performed by Williams and his childhood friend Jonathan Wilkes.

A screen behind them bore the words “Rob and Jonny--they're just good friends, honest!” Williams changed the lyrics (which describe how close the two singers are) to include the line “closer than Jonny to confessing he's gay.”

In a 2003 interview with The Advocate, Williams indicated that he thought of himself as straight. But he also stated that he fancied Rupert Everett and The Rock, that he would not rule out the possibility of sleeping with a man, and that he did not care if people thought he was gay. This last claim was belied in December 2005 when he won a libel case against several magazines that had said he was gay and had had numerous one-night stands with men. His lawyer told the court that “Mr. Williams is not, and has never been, homosexual.”

Most recently in the "gay vague" procession, there is actor and musician Jared Leto. He has been reported to have had relationships with actresses including Cameron Diaz and Scarlett Johansson. But in a 2004 Out interview, while promoting the film Alexander, the journalist Degen Pener reported that he came across as surprisingly flirtatious. Having accidentally flicked Pener's nipple, Leto said “I know I'm gay. I must be gay. I f***ing flicked your nipple.” Later in the interview, he modified his statement to say “I'm only half gay.” Pener interpreted these comments as jokes, as it seemed they were.

Two weeks ago, Leto participated in an online chat interview at AOL in order to promote the new tour of his band, 30 Seconds to Mars. When the interviewer attempted to nudge him about his alleged relationship with Lindsay Lohan, the conversation went like this:

ThirtySecondLeto: ha! It's so funny how perception and reality are so often as far as day and night

ThirtySecondLeto: I'll give you an exclusive....

TyeinMusic: ooh. lay it on me

ThirtySecondLeto: I'm gay.

Leto then went on to compare himself to Morrissey. This interview, when published, quickly attracted considerable notice and speculation on the internet. Seeking confirmation, AfterElton.com reached Leto's publicist who, when asked whether Leto was truly coming out or not, said: “Jared was kidding.”

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