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Home » Blogs » Brian Juergens's blog » Luke Macfarlane of "Brothers & Sisters" comes out publicly as gay

Luke Macfarlane of "Brothers & Sisters" comes out publicly as gay

by
Brian Juergens

Canadian actor Luke MacFarlane, who plays the character of Scotty on Brothers & Sisters, has come out in an interview with the Canadian Globe and Mail. Regarding his decision to come out after years of speculation in the press regarding his sexuality, Macfarlane comments:

"I don't know what will happen professionally ... that is the fear, but I guess I can't really be concerned about what will happen, because it's my truth. ... There is this desire in L.A. to wonder who you are and what's been blaring for me for the last three years is how can I be most authentic to myself - so this is the first time I am speaking about it in this way."

The piece focuses on the upcoming episode in which Scotty and Kevin (Matthew Rhys) are married, which MacFarlane feels is groundbreaking despite the obvious attention-getting nature of the soap's storyline: "How exciting that we're saying, 'This can be part of the cultural fabric, now,' because it is two series regulars, two people that you invite into your home and you see every week. It's telling of the beginning of more waves and I'm very proud of that."

MacFarlane declined to go into any details as to his romantic life, noting that there are parts of his life that he would still like to keep private.

This is the first mention we've seen of Scotty as a "series regular", which is encouraging (Macfarlane says that he's going to be on the show "a long, long time"). Although not half as encouraging as Macfarlane's decision to come out, on his own terms, at what is surely a career high point for him thus far. A big congratulations to Luke and best of luck from all of us here at AfterElton.com ... he just gave us a new celeb to cyberstalk!

Below, we've posted the famous "lobster bib" scene. Correct me if I'm wrong, but is this the first time we've had an out gay actor playing at out regular gay character in an actual physical relationship on a primetime network show?

(Big thanks to AfterElton.com reader Kong for the tip!)

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    • Submitted by
    Brian Juergens
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 09:28.
    TAGS :: 
    snicks's picture

    Wentworth Miller's publicist just keeled over

    Submitted by
    snicks (13668 points) (5490 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 09:33.
    but YEEAAHH! for LUKE!
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    FAII's picture

    Big kudos to Luke but I

    Submitted by
    FAII (598 points) (137 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 09:38.
    Big kudos to Luke but I agree with snicks. One of the first things I thought when reading this piece was "What is Wentworth Miller gonna say?" :P
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    Liz's picture

    good for luke! :-)

    Submitted by
    Liz (10696 points) (2217 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 09:45.

    well, good for him. :-)

    I don't think anything negative, in terms of his career, will happen to him as a result of him coming out.

    Hollywood doesn't really care anymore who's gay or not....well, i don't think they ever DID care, but I don't think they'll end up ruining careers anymore as a result of it being known publically...

     

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    Anonymous's picture

    Luke and T.R. In, Wentworth "Out?"

    Submitted by
    Anonymous
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 09:48.
    Several items I have read on numerous websites in the past had Luke "dating" Wentworth. Apparently Wentworth isn't as comfortable officially announcing his orientation and he has that right. I guess Luke got tired of his "should I or shouldn't I" and hooked up with T.R. who everyone knows is gay. Several websites have had them an item for the last few months. Despite all the gays that we know are in Hollywood, it's still putting your career on the line to be truthful and come out. I love Wentworth in Prison Break and hopefully someday if he is indeed gay, he can feel comfortable enough to come out. The times are changing continually for our community.
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    rem581's picture

    I am SHOCKED :P Seriously

    Submitted by
    rem581 (481 points) (99 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 10:28.

    I am SHOCKED :P

    Seriously though, good for him. It's nice to see an openly gay actor on a major show like B&S.

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    GayTVluver's picture

    My grinch respect for him has just grown 3 sizes larger

    Submitted by
    GayTVluver (4763 points) (1106 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 10:29.
    *golf clap* Good for Luke. My last hurdle to loving this guy has been crossed. *smooches* He's gonna continue to have a thriving career...even after B&S.
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    Keith's picture

    I'm very happy for him

    Submitted by
    Keith (50 points) (10 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 10:40.

    and this is such a positive step.  As more celebs come out and show that things are okay, more will follow.  Maybe someday Jodie foster will even...nah, that'll never happen. 

     

     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Every week, a friend and I produce our video blog, SKEWiR -- Stuart and Keith's Entertainment Week in Review.  Check us out at www.skewir.com!

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    Anonymous's picture

    Shocked?  Really?  I

    Submitted by
    Anonymous
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 10:57.

    Shocked?  Really?  I never even considered that he was straight. 

     

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    boyd's picture

    What I especially admire

    Submitted by
    boyd (846 points) (199 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 11:08.

    about Luke's coming out is the combination of candor (he says he's "terrified" in the source Canadian Globe and Mail story), humor, and clear boundaries. I love his response in regards to questions about relationships: "That is my personal life. That is where I draw the difference."

    Being honest and authentic -- while still keeping your personal life your own. Isn't that what we all want? I do. Let's hope it inspires others.... 

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    laughlovelive's picture

    its really nice to hear

    Submitted by
    laughlovelive (70 points) (14 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 11:23.

    its really nice to hear that more and more people are 'coming out'. i think that it is making people realize that gay people exist in all walks of life. i am sure that his acting career will continue to thrive.

    thats me done being serious now i just cant wait for wentworth to join luke and be one HOTTT celeb couple...

     

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    Evan's picture

    So Proud

    Submitted by
    Evan (2890 points) (574 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 11:36.

    I love this man even more. 

    Support this man everyone.  He came out on his own accord and is a really nice guy.

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    netogeno's picture

    Good for him

    Submitted by
    netogeno (3346 points) (929 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 12:06.
    Glad he could be comfortable to do it. But this only a confirmation, more than news. It great that hes doing it publicly, because it matters
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    Marea67's picture

    Good for him

    Submitted by
    Marea67 (480 points) (121 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 13:12.
    Because he decided to come out, on his own terms. He didn't HAVE to. He could have kept everyone guessing (where we?) . So congratulations to Luke! For being honest.
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    Knickie's picture

    "It's All Relative"

    Submitted by
    Knickie (4280 points) (872 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 13:28.
    John Benjamin Hickey and the other guy whose name escapes me, but who are both out, played partners in this show from a number of years back. It only lasted one season, but it showed a gay couple in a long-tern relationship whose daughter marries a Boston bar owner. Hilarity ensues. Sort of. But there was one funny ep where the other partner's "boy band" past came back to haunt him. And the guys also showed actual affection to each other, including, I believe, at least one kiss.
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    Randommer's picture

    Christopher Sieber played

    Submitted by
    Randommer (1220 points) (253 posts)
    on Wed, 2008-04-16 05:43.
    Christopher Sieber played the other guy.
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    Andros's picture

    Yay for Luke! Breaking the

    Submitted by
    Andros (1205 points) (261 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 13:50.

    Yay for Luke! Breaking the circle is difficult but in the long-term that is a wise decision I am sure. ;)

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    Argiebear's picture

    So what about it now?

    Submitted by
    Argiebear (82 points) (16 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 14:01.

    This such a good piece of news. Suddenly, ABC´s programming is not only groundbreaking because of their gay characters, but also out actors in their prime time hits.

     I wonder how this will slide the scales in the Jason/Scotty debate. Suddenly, I want Scotty in much more than I did before ( and it was a lot back then! )

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    kevinfan's picture

    Re: Luke

    Submitted by
    kevinfan (165 points) (86 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 14:20.

    I commend Luke for coming out on his own terms.  Even though it shouldn't be, it still is a brave move -- particularly for someone still becoming established in his career.  More power to him.

    Quote:
    I wonder how this will slide the scales in the Jason/Scotty debate. Suddenly, I want Scotty in much more than I did before ( and it was a lot back then! )

    Given the upcoming Kevin/Scotty storyline + Luke being signed on as a regular, I think it's safe to say that debate is over.  (Eric Winter has moved on to Moonlight for a recurring gig, too.)

     

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    Nate's picture

    As if I couldn't love Luke

    Submitted by
    Nate (47 points) (8 posts)
    on Tue, 2008-04-15 21:18.
    As if I couldn't love Luke any more, as everyone's said, good to see him come out on his own terms. Also great to see an out actor portraying positive gay characters.
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