Over on my urban pop culture site ClayCane.net, the gays (and the straights) are having a heated debate regarding Rodney Chester from Noah's Arc on the Wendy Williams Experience radio show this past Friday. Rod 2.0 also covered the story, which has added to the dialog about the “I’ll never tell” stance from some of the cast members of Noah’s Arc in reference to their sexuality. Here is the rundown from my site:

Wendy made a comment about Rodney Chester being gay. Chester quickly responded with, "Who said I was gay?" Immediately, Wendy Williams was sent into a complete ball of confusion, stuttering and asking if he was joking. Chester went onto explain that he and the other cast members want to keep a level of mystery in regard to their sexuality.

In regard to Chester, Wendy yelled, "THERE IS NO MYSTERY!" She proceeded to jabber about his poppin' lip gloss, all of the gay-oriented roles he has played, being a choreographer — things she argued were stereotypically gay…this must be what Larry King felt in that scary interview with Clay Aiken in 2006. A bewildered Wendy surveyed the room and asked who thought Chester was gay—the entire room raised their hands.

The news of the majority of the main cast members (with the exception of Advocate cover boy Doug Spearman being completely out) leaving their sexuality a "mystery" is old news to most people in the gay community, but to a mainstream media figure like Wendy, it was earth shattering and a bit confusing.

Here are just a few of the comments from my site: "I don't expect them to talk about the details of their sex life, but I do think a simple 'yes, I'm gay' wouldn't really hurt any of their careers, since the gay viewing audience is their biggest means of support.” Blogger C. Baptise Williams commented, "His nonsense remark about the group of actors banding together not to mention or address their sexuality in a TV show—that in his own words said 'was groundbreaking for African-American gays' is completely stupid and asinine." An anonymous commenter made an interesting point, “These guys make their sexuality an issue when they keep choosing roles where sexuality is a common theme.”

On the other hand, a handful of comments had a different view: "The NOAH actors have never publicly denied being gay. They've never done the Latifah interview in which they say clearly, 'I am not gay.' They simply choose not to answer the question. And that is their right." The inevitable analogy, "Jodie Foster is widely thought to be lesbian, but has never commented on her private life. Do we respect her any less as an actress? Anderson Cooper—same deal."

From the beginning I have been a huge supporter of Noah's Arc and had the pleasure of interviewing Jensen Atwood, Patrik-Ian Polk and Darryl Stephens for various publications. While I agree it is a personal decision to be “out” in the entertainment industry, I do find it peculiar if Noah’s Arc is a groundbreaking show for African-American gay men, but the actors who are gay won’t say they are — then how much ground is truly being broken? Furthermore, one might argue the message it sends to other black gay actors is that they cannot be openly gay, even on a gay show.

AfterElton covered a story in March 2007 where Darryl Stephens said: “All the actors sat down – and said that the straight actors are not going to get all the press because they’re being ‘so brave’ in playing gay." Interesting -- however, wouldn’t it be the black gay men who would be considered brave for being out and open? Also, if some attention were given to the hetero actors, why would any press be bad for the show?

The other side of the argument: why do people want to snoop around in the “personal lives” of celebrities? Valid question — I am often amazed at paparazzi hounding Angelina Jolie. But, I do not think people are consumed with the personal lives of the cast of Noah’s Arc. Not saying they are not interesting people, but this “mystery” stance is giving more attention to their “personal lives” versus if they would’ve just gave a quick, “Yes!” to their sexuality.

Especially when the majority of the actor’s roles are gay-oriented roles and you’re lobbying for support from the gay community. Maybe the actors are attempting to balance the line, but it gets sticky if you are trying to appeal to both crowds, in hopes that the more mainstream crowd won’t hold it against you if you eventually land that co-starring role with Denzel Washington.

The examples of Jodie Foster, Anderson Cooper and Queen Latifah are noteworthy. But, these are three people who do not ask for the kind of support that a show like Noah's Arc or a Dante's Cove is asking from the gay community. If Foster, Cooper and Latifah were/are straight, their professional careers would more than likely be the same — their success has had little to do with the gay community. For the most part, they avoid gay press, or outwardly asking support from the gay community, knowing that if they requested the support of LGBT people they would be obligated to admit they are not heterosexual. Support from particular communities cannot be circumstantial.

Yes, the coming out process is a personal one, but it’s not as if any journalists are quizzing the sexual particulars of the cast of Noah’s Arc. Does Doug Spearman feel people are meddling in his personal life because he’s openly gay? Does Wilson Cruz (who has been out since he was a teen!) feel the public is harassing him? Ironically, Spearman and Cruz are openly gay and they have the most extensive acting resume out of the main cast of Noah’s Arc. It is clearly thought-provoking dialog and while many in the gay community know the stance of "mystery" from the cast of Noah's Arc, we have simply ignored it — until now.

Overall, I applaud Noah’s Arc for being a first of its kind and especially the director, Patrik-Ian Polk, for being open about his journey, which inspires others. Also, I think Darryl Stephens, Rodney Chester, Doug Spearman and Christian Vincent did a great job portraying four single men in urban Los Angeles, regardless of their sexuality. However, as I said on ClayCane.net, "Some would argue the real mystery is not if they are gay or straight, but, why aren't the ones who are gay just admitting it?"