Ask the Flying Monkey: Is Louie Anderson Gay?

Today: Is the comedian Louie Anderson gay? Plus, what do we know about Michael Stipe’s photographer-partner, Thomas Dozol – and why do the gays hate Ke$ha?

Have a question about gay male entertainment? Contact me here (and be sure and include your city and state and/or country!

Louie Anderson

Q: I was watching Louie Anderson on the Late Late Show and am curious to know if he is gay. I just read about him being blackmailed, which had me wondering. There is some conflicting information on the internet. -- IJK

A: Back in the late 1990s, Louie Anderson was blackmailed by a man, Richard Gordon, who threatened to say that the comedian had propositioned him for sex. Anderson, who was appearing on the family-friendly shows Life With Louie and Family Feud at the time, paid the man $100,000. When Gordon subsequently came back for more money, Anderson went to the authorities, and in early 2000, the man was arrested in an undercover sting.

Anderson has since talked very obliquely about the whole episode, not really denying that the proposition happened, but vaguely attributing it to since-resolved problems with drugs and alcohol. Why did he acquiesce to the blackmail in the first place? He says he was worried about the scandal impacting his career – and in fact, the blackmailer had specifically mentioned in a letter that his accusations would impact Anderson’s association with children.

I’m certain this was an extremely traumatic event for Anderson, and I can appreciate how he might want to put it completely behind him. I also hate to give any power to blackmailers like Gordon.

On the other hand, this is all a matter of public record and it was widely written about at the time, so it doesn’t seem inappropriate to me to ask the obvious question: how does Anderson self-identify? Does he have a romantic partner in his life? As far as I could tell, he’s never said.

So I did ask him. But he never responded. And especially in this case, it’s worth remembering that as much I have the right to ask, he has the right not to tell.

Thomas Dozol (left) with Michael Stipe

Q: I am a big fan of indie and alternative music and indie and indie and alternative style. I used to think R.E.M. was too mainstream for my tastes – I know, how picky! -- but I’ve given them a try. I've found out with pleasure that R.E.M. lead singer, Michael Stipe, is actually gay. I have a sudden crush on his partner, Thomas Dozol, who's definitely my type. Can you tell me something more about this lovely man? -- Andy, Padua, Italy

A: Thomas Dozol got a lot of attention for last year’s photography project Entre Temps, his New York debut, in which he captured his subject at the non-sleeping moment that he felt they were the least unguarded and unprepared: having just emerged from a shower (who knew Gwyneth Paltrow had so many freckles?).

The 35-year-old Dozol is a Frenchman who, with Stipe, now spends his time between New York, Paris, and Athens, Georgia (naturally).
What can I tell you that most people don’t know? He loves Margiela dress shoes, and he’s a twin.

Ke$ha

Q: Why do so many gays (AND surprisingly lesbians) hate Ke$ha? She isn't the only artist who uses autotune, and she loves the gay and transgender community. Personally, I'd rather the LGBT community hate Lady Gaga than Kesha, but that is another topic and my own personal (long, and hateful) opinion towards Gaga. So why all the Ke$ha hate? – Mike

A: Let’s ask the gays, shall we? Gays (and lesbians), why do you hate Ke$ha?

Have a question about gay male entertainment? Contact me here (and be sure and include your city and state and/or country!)