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Exclusive: Is "White Collar"'s Matt Bomer an Out, Gay Man? "No comment," Says Publicist
Earlier this week Perez Hilton posted an item about Matthew Bomer, the star of USA Network's White Collar. In the item, Hilton claims Bomer is openly gay and dating a high-powered publicist, though Hilton offers nothing to backup either claim. Given that we are not a gossip site and have a longstanding policy against outing people, I wasn't about to go with Perez's unsourced reporting, nor any of the other blogs that simply repeated what Perez claimed. (Bomer's Wikipedia page was briefly changed to say he was gay, only to be changed back again.) But if Bomer was openly gay, that was definitely news we would report and he is someone we would certainly interview. I got in touch with his publicist to get a confirmation and to request an interview if Bomer was, in fact, out. However, Bomer's publicist told me late on Friday that she had "No comment" and "We don't comment on any of our client's personal lives." They also passed on the interview. So I have no idea whether Bomer is gay or not, but the "openly" part is clearly not the case as part of being open would involve a public acknowledgment of the fact. (Yes, I've seen the photos. Those are someone's personal private property and shouldn't be posted without the owner's permission.) So until Bomer has something more to say on the matter or, if he is gay, lives his life openly in some other manner which fits our definition of out, we won't have more to say on the matter of his sexuality. Submitted by on Sat, 2009-10-31 09:26. |
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When's the last time a straight actor said "No Comment"?
( crickets chirping )
Ultimately what matters is the work. Is he any good? Is the character gay? Are there any gay characters on the show?
Haven't seen the show (but on the DVR now) so can't say
"White Collar"
I've seen both episodes of White Collar so far and to answer your questions:
1. Yes, he's very good playing a charming, smart high-end con artist and the best part is his chemistry with Tim Dekay as the FBI agent who corrals him into helping him solve crimes.
2. No, the character is straight and a running subplot is his character's search for his missing ex-girlfriend.
3. Not so far; in fact, the second episode was set in the fashion industry and amazingly featured no gay characters at all!
Re: Point 3
I should've been more clear. When I say "gay", I mean gay
White Collar's Lead Character
No, I didn't mean that
Bryce Larkin...
...seems very closeted and gay for Chuck. But then, all the guys in that show do.
"I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them." - Pablo Picasso
Same actor
Wow, I didn't realize that was the same actor from Chuck - although I guess that explains why Bomer seemed somehow familiar.
I like the show, which I found when I went looking for Psych. Finding it was a pleasant surprise. Bomer's character is a lot of fun, and the fact that he's such a hottie doesn't hurt.
Not anymore
She's still there
The lesbian FBI agent, Diana, played by Marsha Thomason, a Brit, is in all seven episodes. I knew--no, thought, I'd seen her in the 2nd ep, as well as the pilot, so I checked on IMDB. She's along for the whole ride--so far.
Perez Hilton is a (may I say?) prick. Why would any gay person make life harder for another, by exposing them?
Granted, a few have come out & are doing fine. NPH comes to mind, but that was HIS choice to make, and he'd slowly built his career over 15-20 years & is peculiarly talented.
Bomer, gay or not, is just starting out. Remember, Richard Chamberlain didn't come out, until he was 70.
I've just watched the 2nd
I've just watched the 2nd episode and her absence was what bothered me most of all, so I'm very curious as to where you saw her - I'm not being sarcastic, I'd really like to know!
If the actress who played her was the agent who could double as a model in episode 2, then they've given the actress a different role, because the lesbian character in the pilot was a probie who Neal actually met.
The listing of the actress's name on IMDB doesn't mean much, I'm afraid - that site is notorious for errors, epeically in credit listings.
I was really pissed off by the fact that she seemed to be absent - it seemed like a classic bait and switch to me. Bring in the audience with LGBT inclusiveness in the pilot, and then in episode 2: hey presto, everyone's straight again! Add to that the parts which seemed to yell HE'S STRAIGHT OK STRAIGHT everytime Bomer and a woman shared a frame, a plot which featured many many many beautiful models and a (beautiful, of course, if she wasn't stunning no one would give a shit) woman in peril. Conclude with the fact that Neal's own girlfriend, who I initially admired as the kind of woman who could stump the King of Conmen himself, is also a damsel in distress who must be saved . . . Oy Vey.
Suddenly I don't like White Collar as much as I thought I did.
Typo Alert
"longstanding policy against out people", I assume should be "longstanding policy against outing people".
This is why one should never write before 8 AM on a Saturday
My whole view on...
My whole view on "outing" is sort of changing.
In a way, i freaking hate it. i feel as if people should decide themselves if they want to come out or not.
in another sense, i'm all for it.
It's such a mixed message i think. yes, we want people to be out and confident with who they are....but no, we don't want their
lifecareer to be ruined as a result of who they are...but then, by not being out, what does that say to people? it's bad? they are ashamed? *so confused*When it comes to perez though, no matter what he does, he does it with no taste or respect at all. I don't know why people bother talking to him, etc
You're operating under the assumption--
that people own their sexual orientation. This is in no way the case. As straights run everything, and have for eons, they've inisted onthe notion that literally everyone is straight. They therefore, in rhetorical terms, have no sexuality at all.
Only we "deviants" are "sexual" in a way that requires "explanation." And part of that "explanation" is the notion of "choice" -- which again only we, not they, have.
Silly, isn't it?
surprise, surpriiiise, I am confused...
I'm confused. *slow brain alert*
you say "you're operating under the assumption that people own their sexual orientation"
what do you mean by "assumption that people own their sexual orientation"
what people? straight people? I know only I own myself and my sexuality
" And part of that "explanation" is the notion of "choice" -- which again only we, not they, have.
^ i'm not sure what you mean by the choice notion. do you mean the choice to come out or not?
Look at it this way
If the entire world was white (or green, puce, whatever) there would be no concept of being "white", no one would ever say, "I am white" because there would be no one who wasn't white. Someone purple would be cause for much consternation because they would be flaunting their different skin color in the faces of the whites (because they would have no concept of being white).
In our society, most heterosexuals assume everyone is straight, so for them, there is no cause to say "I am straight" because there is no concept of being anything other.
This is why two straight people walking down the street are nearly invisible and cause for no alarm, but a man and man holding hands or a woman and a woman holding hands is cause for some to cry that they are "shoving their sexuality down our throats!", even though the innocuous act itself is exactly the same for all of the couples.
ok...
In our society, most heterosexuals assume everyone is straight, so for them, there is no cause to say "I am straight" because there is no concept of being anything other.
^ I get that. I guess i am confused as to what david said that relates to what my comment was. this is why i hate the internet sometimes...(things dont click for me as quickly)
lemme see. I think what he is saying is "we shouldn't have to explain ourselves/come out, but then again, we do and that is silly."
yeah? no? maybe so? haha
Ownership
In terms of the issue of ownership of one's self, there are certain expectations that celebrities have regarding what the media usually talks about and they KNOW that the media will discuss their dating life.
You don't OWN your sexual orientation any more than you OWN your height, weight, natural hair color , whether or not you wear contact lenses, if you're right-handed or left-handed or what your Zodiac sign is.
People who are closeted put so much importance on their sexual orientation as this intensely private, secret thing that is untouchable and "How dare people talk about it".
If being gay were illegal in the US, I might accept that. It isn't. The fact that it makes life more uncomfortable or inconvenient for people to know that someone is gay is NOT the same thing it being a life threatening secret if revealed.
People will still kill you for not being white in many places in this country and some how now white folks manage to get through. They make sacrifices, move to different parts of the countries, etc but they deal, even in 2009.
You don't want someone to know your real age? Hide the evidence very well because it is YOUR job to keep that secret if you are a celebrity, not the media's. The same is true for sexual orientation as far as I'm concerned.
Sexual orientation is a descriptive term. It's just one more stat about who an actor is. It's neither good or bad and it shouldn't be any more of a secret than where they grew up or whether or not they eat meat.
I don't think journalist or gossip columnists should go digging into celebrities pasts or private lives just to be malicious but they wouldn't have to if actors and performers didn't lie in the first place OR WORSE, didn't carry on in public with their lovers and ask the media to pretend they didn't see it.
I'm a firm believer that you are either IN the closet or you are OUT of the closet and once you become an actor of some note, you have to make a definitive chose if you don't want to appear to be a liar.
Trying to float somewhere in the middle between OUT and CLOSETED with the whole "I'm out to my friends and my neighbors but I don't talk about it in public" thing is like magical thinking on crack if you are a celebrity.
If you're going to bars and resturants with your boyfriend or with dudes whom you're kissing or holding hands with and you're doing it IN PUBLIC PLACES, you are not closeted. You are out. You are giving the media permission to write about it. End of.
Asking the media and others to fall all over themselves to act like they aren't seeing what they are seeing is kind of "Ignore the man behind the curtain, I am the Wizard of Oz!" crazy.
Matt Bomer doesn't seem to be trying to hide anything and since he hasn't made a statement one way or the other, I'm reserving judgement. Those photos were in a private room from someone's private collection of photos (maybe a social networking site?)
It's not a publicist's job to out anyone or tell the media that "Yes, my client is pregnant, 2 months in fact, we think it's a girl" unless their client wishes for them to make a announcement.
For all we know Matt Bomer is simply waiting to do things his own way or doesn't really care if folks know he's gay but doesn't want to discuss it.
I can live with that.
As long as he's not lying about his sexuality (with which I would have an issue since there seems to be a lot of evidence that he could be gay) I don't see the problem here.
I don't take his publicist's "No comment" as evidence of him lying.
"No comment" is simply that, "No Comment" .
The alleged "choice" to be gay or not
No heterosexual is EVER asked "Is it a choice?"
Greg in Hollywood...
...posted an article about this yesterday. It included a photo of Matt kissing another man:
http://greginhollywood.com/white-collar-star-matt-bomer-photographed-kissing-a-boy-and-he-seemed-to-really-like-it-14945
Greg said, "The photo is several years old and since the actor is out and in a committed relationship, I’ve decided to take it down. The request was made very politely by Bomer through friends."
Well..
Well.. I've seen the pics and I think it's obvious that he's gay. Of course he's not out for the public, maybe he will come out soon though, who knows...
You can say what you want about Perez, but the fact is that he's most often right, NPH and Lance Bass to name some.
We could debate all day and all night whether it's right to out people. I don't like it, but then again, there are so few actors out there who are openly gay. This could be positive to that effect..
Harvey Milk: You gotta give 'em hope.
"Not out for the public"?
The pilot
The pilot had a lesbian probie who was not in the second episode. But in the previews of the third episode it looked like she was back.
I like the show so far. Gives me the same comfortable feeling I have with Psych. On the other hand, despite having gay characters and casting people I have really enjoyed in other shows, I cannot stand Raising the Bar.
Since White Collar is on USA, and Raising the Bar is on USA, and I like Jane Kaczmarek, who reminds me of Christine Baranski...did the makeup people on The Good Wife make her look like a well-dressed raccoon on purpose?
Pope Skippy XVI
Interesting
If this is true my gaydar did not fail me, it ping when he was on Chuck but I just put it in the back of my mind as wishful thinking.
I dont know how publicly he has lived to warrant reporting on it, but IMO there has to be a lot of that and very publicly to justify making a reference to his life.
With Andy Cooper, for example, it has been such a slow process that when the latest "item" broke in the last couple of days all the hoopla is about the hotness and novelty of the boyfriend (which baffles me since even Ive been on the know for months now and Im in another country), than the fact that he has a bf means that he is actually you know...gay.
The way Bomer handles this will determine how good or bad this will be for him professionally. Sad, but true that is the worry isnt? He should give Howard Bragman a call to make sure this plays to his advantage, that is if he is not already on the speed dial.
Funny you shouild bring that up --
As this year for Halloween I'm going as Julio Ceasar Recio
http://denniscooper-theweaklings.blogspot.com/2009_10_26_archive.html
(scroll down to see)
Bomer (why do I keep reading that as Boner) should have called Howard LONG before this. Now it's a "mop-up operation."
The basic fact of the matter is that if you're going to be in show business and gain any degree of visibility people are going to know you're gay.
So you are going to look tasty tonight
They did look good together didnt they?
A mop up operation it is, recently Bragman spoke of an actor that was considering "pulling the trigger" which made me wonder if "the one that shall remain nameless" didnt scoop him, but considering that a) it seems that actor is of a higher profile and b) who Bomer is allegedly involved with, it seems highly unlikely that it was him.
They're still very much together
It's Disappointing
Ultimately, it comes down to whether or not someone wants to be out. You can make the argument that if you're in the public eye, you should be upfront and honest. But no one owes us full disclosure about their life.
Normally when Perez outs someone, though, he knows exactly what he's doing. He points out that they're not out, that they lie to the press and try to hide it. This is the first time I've heard of him saying "oh by the way he's out" without making a big spectacle of it.
Regardless of whether or not its true, I feel bad for Bomer. He didn't get the chance to make the choice for himself. And I think that's something we should all have the option to do.
But is simply saying you're gay "full disclosure"?
Slow It To Roll.
He might very well do that. He might put out a public statement. Who knows?
The photos just popped up 5 days ago. Maybe it's not at the top of his list of things to do right now.
I think "No Comment" is better than "He's not gay". There is a BIG difference between the two.
If he wants to talk about it later or just show up at some event and make out with a man to bring the point across, that's his choice.
So far we have no idea what he would or wouldn't do or say because he hasn't been interviewed and there is actually no evidence that he's closeted even at this point.
"No Comment" or "We don't discuss our client's personal lives" is not a denial of being gay and I think it's a reasonable response to what is probably a long list of media who want the scoop since every time PH says "Jump!" the rest of the media gay and straight say "How high?" when it comes to outing people.
White Collar is all ths rage right now in the media so he's all of a sudden become high profile as a tv actor.
Give the dude a break. It's not his faught P.H. is all upload happy with people's private photos.
Other gay actors who are frequently lionized here NOW for being out, out, out had to take a minute when they needed to get their ducks in a row right before coming out publically or making a statement.
Surely Matt Bomer should get to have his moment.
If he is in fact gay (and I haven't slept with him and don't know anyone who has so I can't say for certain) then maybe he'll come out publically now and be done with it.
Taking some time is not a crime.
Different points of view I guess
I'm not sure how people knowing Matt is gay would rob him of "his moment".
Take another Matthew for example, Matthew Mitcham...when he was asked a simple question "Who willbe supporting you in the Olympics" he answered very naturally, "My boyfriend".
"No comment" is ridiculous in this day and age. She knew the pictures had been out there because they are asking them to be removed. She should have consulted Matthew and had an answer ready.
Granted this is only "days old"...but it's been poorly handled by his people, and IMO him.
There is no shame in being gay.
*-----------*
It really doesn't get any more adorkable than this: Video
Thank Microsoft for donating $$$ to Approve 71 in Washington...use Bing.com for a week
Sad but not unexpected
As soon as I saw popular gay blogs like Kenneth, Wicked Gay, Greg, Plaid pants pulling the pic at "the request of those close to the actor" I knew this was gonna get stonewalled.
It reminds me a lot of Thomas Dekker when he was transitioning from Heroes to Terminator. A video popped up of him at a party dancing and totally queening out. At the same time people were questioning his sexuality on the blogs. Shortly after it's appearance the video vanished. Someone had downlaoded it and it started to appear on blogs...then the letters came from people "close to the actor".
Maybe Matthew will take a page from NPH's book...remember when his publicist denied/wouldn't comment...he grabbed the bull by the horms and came out.
Oh..and to the publicist...F.U.C.K. Y.O.U. You can bet your ass that if Matthew was dating some young "it" girl she'd be all about talking about it and setting up interviews. She put the brakes on an interview with AE because she is afraid AE would dare to ask about such a shameful and secret thing.
And what makes this all even more sad...IF Matthew is in fact dating Mr. Halls...a very powerful, openly gay PR person in Hollywood...it's disgusting that Matthew would feel he needed to stay in the closet.
*-----------*
It really doesn't get any more adorkable than this: Video
Thank Microsoft for donating $$$ to Approve 71 in Washington...use Bing.com
actually
"Maybe Matthew will take a page from NPH's book...remember when his publicist denied/wouldn't comment...he grabbed the bull by the horms and came out."
NPH's publicist said "He's not of that persuasion," which is even worse. There's hope for Bomer yet.
So Thomas Dekker is gay
White Collar on Hulu.com
You can watch the pilot episode by clicking THIS
*-----------*
It really doesn't get any more adorkable than this: Video
Thank Microsoft for donating $$$ to Approve 71 in Washington...use Bing.com for a week
The infamous kiss
OMG!
Where can i find the so called make out photo?
I've searched the web, but I couldn't finf nothing.
Try Queerty
Here:
Edited.
On second thought - probably shouldn't post the link
Kiss
The kiss
Thank you!
OK... after seeing this... I'm voting for "gay". I had my doubts, but that's a hell of a hot kiss.
Yeap... we got a hot one, always liked him, since Tru Calling... amazing eyes, never thought he was gay.. only wishful thinking.
It sucks that he was pushed out of the closet, but it's done, I don't think it will harm his career or the new show, at least I hope not!
It would be nice to have another out gay actor in a important role on a TV show (NPH can't be the only one!)
And this is exactly why...
... we are still being persecuted for being gay.
Mr. Bomer can do what he wants. And I hope that he sleeps well with all his decisions. But when you get a chance to tell the public that you are indeed a proud gay man, who happens to be the lead straight character in a network series, you show the public that being gay is just being gay. No different from being straight. That's it's ok. Assuming that he is a homosexual.
And maybe, just maybe, some child will not take his life because he feels that there is no alternative out there but to do so.
Comments like, 'No comment', only justify the actions of people who think we should be stuffed back into the closet. I do believe it is his choice to come out to the public or not BUT maybe he can look within and realize that his actions DO speak a lot louder than his words.
No shirt, no shoes, no service...
or in this case, no out actors, no out characters, no watch the show. :P Hurray for more free time! How long does it take to play gay-inclusive Dragon Age: Origins?
What Closet?
We don't even have any evidence that the freaking man is closeted and everyone's all ready to pile on.
Does anyone here actually have any evidence in print or video or a statement of some sort FROM HIM denying that he's gay or claiming that he's straight?
I am a firm believer in every one being out. I said in my earlier post that I believe celebrities in particular have a responsiblity to be out.
But I have yet to see even P.H. claim that the man is closeted or has denied that he's gay.
In fact, I don't see any indication anywhere that he is closeted.
His publicist made a blanket statement. That's what they do.
Yes some people hide the fact that they are gay and their publicists lie for them but we don't even have evidence of that yet.
It just seems like people are so used to being lied to by closeted public figures and celebrities that we immediately rush to judge them without and reall leg to stand on.
People are all over Matt Bomer like white on rice for supposedly being closeted (because someone posted some photos 5 days ago without his permission) when there are actual, well known closeted public figures and actors and tv personalities who have been riding the transparent closet train for years and years and no one ever says boo about them.
Like I said, I have no respect for the closet. I think it turns people into liars and manipulators because you have to be duplicitous to remain closeted.
This is all so knee-jerk.
Is there some interview where he dodges the question? Lies? Anything?
Publicist say what they think will keep money in their pockets and get you off the phone the fastest.
I'd prefer to hold an individual responsible for their own behavior and so far I'm not seeing this huge closet case everyone is assuming he is.
Devil's Advocate
The very phrase "no comment" is loaded with the baggage of a closet. As pointed out above, it's not as bad as the "He is not of that persuasion" that was initially issued by NPH's publicist, but the "no comment" doesn't clarify the issue and I believe in our society it IS important to clarify the issue.
Again, we live in a heteronormative society, where it is assumed that everyone is straight unless stated (or demonstrated) otherwise. So, in the wake of what has occurred in the past week, saying "no comment" muddies the issue. If he's straight, why such a non-comittal answer? Bomer has been identified as "out and in a committed relationship" at Greg in Hollywood's blog, based on information apparently provided by Bomer through friends; to then turn around and have his publicist say "no comment" makes it appear that he doesn't want to be out, which thereupon sends the message that being gay is something to be ashamed of. I'd like to think that Bomer isn't ashamed of who he is.
I don't believe in outing a person (unless they are specifically doing harm to the gay community by demonizing us for their own personal gain, such as a Ted Haggard or a Larry Craig), but once that cat's out of the bag, don't deny it or, in this case, try to skirt the issue. If you're not ashamed of who you are, let us know and send a message to both the homophobes and those young people struggling with their sexuality it's ok to be gay. And, if in the process you can shatter stereotypes and the Hollywood glass ceiling, all the better. I firmly believe that a person will earn greater respect--as has happened with NPH--if they take that route rather than hide behind a "no comment."
For what it's worth, I feel the same way about Anderson Cooper; that he's allowed this to go on for so many years has made me really not admire him.
Should he fire his press rep?
"Does anyone here actually have any evidence in print or video or a statement of some sort FROM HIM denying that he's gay or claiming that he's straight? "
The "No Comment" from the press rep.
I think were in fugue state.
No comment is hardly a denial
Matt's Friend
Matt's friend posted a response at Queerty saying that Matt is not only a proud gay man in a relationship with Simon Halls but also raising children with him, then turns around and insists that we shouldn't be asking questions about him being gay. Odd, that.
Anyway, I was just thinking how wonderful and what a powerful message it would send to the public if Matt were to be in People magazine or on the Jimmy Kimmel show (he's scheduled to appear this week) and just talk casually about his boyfriend and how they're raising 3 kids together. That would be such an amazing message to send to the world.
To quote Jake Shears