Ellen DeGeneres Reflects on Coming-Out Episode, 15 Years Later
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- čas přidán 6. 05. 2012
- Ellen DeGeneres is a powerhouse name these days, associated with a successful talk show, awards shows and talent competitions as well as a serious love for dancing -- something she's even shared with President Obama.
But 15 years ago, on ABC's "20/20" in April 1997, days before the airing of the episode in which she announced that she was gay, the funny, kind, brave and huge star of her own show shared her fears of coming out.
"If they found out I was gay, maybe they wouldn't applaud," she said. "Maybe they wouldn't laugh. Maybe they wouldn't like me if they knew that I was gay."
During that April 30, 1997 episode of "The Ellen Show" -- called "The Puppy Episode" -- DeGeneres sat across from her psychiatrist, played by Oprah Winfrey.
"It's not like I'm looking for perfection," DeGeneres' character said. "I just want to find somebody special, somebody that I click with."
"Has there ever been anyone you felt you clicked with?" Winfrey's character asked. "What was his name?"
"Susan," she replied. Laughter and applause followed.
Advertisers such as JCPenney and Chrysler, though, decided not to buy airtime during the episode. Wendy's decided not to advertise on "The Ellen Show" at all.
A lot has changed since the day that show first aired.
PHOTO: Talk show host Ellen Degeneres, left, hugs her mother, Betty DeGeneres, during an episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in this file photo.
AP Photo
Talk show host Ellen Degeneres, left, hugs... View Full Size
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JCPenney has tapped DeGeneres as its spokeswoman and supported its decision even when One Million Moms, a "pro-family advocacy" group, threatened to boycott the national retail chain for refusing to fire her.
In 1996, a Gallup poll showed that the public approval rating for gay marriage was 27 percent. It is more than 50 percent today.
And there are now 34 shows featuring gay characters in leading and supporting roles -- not including reality TV -- compared to only 11 shows in 1997.
In the "20/20" interview, DeGeneres said she was willing to risk people knowing.
"I decided this was not going to be something that I was going to live the rest of my life being ashamed of," she said.
She said she came out on the show for the teenagers who contemplate suicide when they realize they're gay -- and for the young, confused girl she once was.
"I do like men and I had, you know, a guy in high school that I wanted to marry desperately," she said. "He's the mayor of some small town in Texas. I could be the mayor's wife right now."
DeGeneres said she told her mother, Betty -- who appeared briefly in that April 1997 episode -- when she was 20. It was the summer of 1978 and they were in Pass Christian, Miss., visiting her aunt's house.
"We were walking along the beach and -- with our pants rolled up and barefoot -- and the water was coming in," DeGeneres said. "I said: 'I'm in love.' And she says: 'That's great.' And I said: 'It's with a woman.'"
"And she said: 'I'm gay' and started to cry," her mother recalled. "Maybe I cried with her."
Betty DeGeneres said that though she asked her daughter questions, she wasn't horrified, just worried.
"She never has understood it -- and I don't think she understands it now," DeGeneres said. "But she loves me and she sees how happy I am."
DeGeneres, ever the jokester, was not immune to the pain and hurt inflicted even by some very close family members, though.
"That was bad because they loved me and I loved them," she said. "And they didn't want me in the house."
She said that wanting to be accepted for who she is drove her to come out on television that year despite Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and other members of the evangelical community who said they were disappointed. Some called her "Ellen Degenerate."
"You know Ellen is such a good person," her mother said. "Now, I don't want to get weepy, I don't, but she's so good that she shouldn't have all this directed at her."
Today Betty DeGeneres fights for gay rights. She is devoted and always tolerant. - Zábava
and look at where ellen is now... BAM
I really don't understand how some ppl can be so bothered by other people's sexuality. Character, thats all that matters in a person. I can't imagine how hard it must have been to do what she did 15 years ago. I admire her courage and I am so glad to see how far she has come!
Betty said "She is so good" A most proud sentence for parents to describe their kids
It's so weird not seeing Ellen as proud of her sexuality.
i know :'o
If Ellen's right as a human is not recognized. If her right to be who she is,is not recognized. If we fail to protect her rights to simply be who and what she is. Then no one's rights are safe. Thank you for standing up and being the voice in the dark.
+Mike Anthony being gay isn't a choice, being close minded and having the opinions of a Charles Dicken's villain is though
Mike Anthony. Oh ye of great ignorance. Being gay is not a choice. You can't sit here and tell me that those who choose to be gay are completely willing to get bullied, abused, and hated for being gay. Who would CHOOSE that? It's something that people are born with and if you don't know any better, well, I feel sorry for you.
agree 100 % with what you wrote
People need to stop hating on gays, Im gay and proud, if you hate it so much Blame Straight people for having Gay babies
TRUUUUU
+Lance James I'm asexual... what will you call me?
ellen 2 words "thank you"
cries in gay
Laughs at your comment in bi.
Ellen DeGeneres Did Changed the World, She is A Really Special Woman Who Deserves tobe Treated Like A Human Being, Gay, Straight or Both
i love ellen so much.
Ellen, it doesn't matter what your sexuality is--you are AWESOME
agree
It's amazing...she's amazing. The world is charging :) let's stop making love illegal.
+IWill BeMe ok, u got your wish for USA, go try it in israel , or a muslim country
Crazy how things work, back then JcPenny pulled their ads because she was gay, now you have one million moms boycotting JcPenny because she is gay
Thank u so much for coming out. Happy 15th anniversary of coming out
Ellen I love how your so brave I told my mom and dad about me being bi and that was hard. But u told the hole world I no I could never do that. Thanks for standing up for that right.
I remember watching an episode recently where she was moving into a new house. And she wanted to surprise her parents, by hiding in the closet and jumping out to surprise them.
I think she's a great example for how being yourself and being open about it is beautiful and nothing you should fear - no matter what it is that makes you different.
I think it's a much bigger gesture of her strength to be generous and forgiving :)
Ellen thank you for lighting up my day every afternoon at 3:00 when I was in high school and afraid to come out. I'm now 21 and resently came out to my parents and things are a little rough but its people like you that help me to keep pushing foward. Love you Ellen :)
Ellen Degenerate is a great person!!!!!
Spelled her name wrong
I'm not gay myself, but I am so happy that Ellen has helped people who are gay show the rest of the world that it doesn't define you as a person. I personally do not see a problem with who a person loves, Love is love. A person who is in love with the same sex, should have the same rights as someone who is not. Wheather you are straight, gay or bi, if you wish to marry someone you should be able to.
i can't watch Ellen cry 😢
ellen is very brave . she likes to make evey moment special.god bless her .love u ellen
I remember watching that episode
Ellen is the best and coooool
The irony that JC Penny pulled their advertising back then and now… Ellen has been a spokesperson for the very same company.
Most incredible person on this planet, and half of probably the best celebrity relationships is Ellen
Awe I love Ellen I first found out who she was through the Ellen ride at Orlando Florida
I'm bi and used to be a homophobe because of the conditons I grew up in but thanks to people like her I'm able to understand myself a little bit better now :)
this made me cry
thank u ellen - i live in belfast and over and over again u make me smile! KEEP ON LOVING!
God Bless Betty DeGeneres for defending Ellen like a true mom should.
I'm a girl. I have short hair, and people think I'm "tough" too. I'm rotten at fashion: I dress like a boy a lot and I don't wear makeup. I play video games, know almost nothing about girly stuff, and I'm also quite good at construction/home improvement/carpentry type things - in general I prefer stuff that's traditionally "for boys". I happen to have several gay, lesbian, bi, and trans friends, too.
But guess what? I'm not gay. I've never even kissed a girl, nor have I particularly wanted to.
God bless you Ellen
Aww Ellen is my hero ❤️
you've come a long way baby - and took a lot of people along with you - good for you... the truth always sets you free
Shhhh.. Do not feed the troll )o)
Potato Girl!
thank you ellen for being so brave, and bless her mother for doing what every parent should... shut your mouth and open your arms in support of your child
Ellen deserve so much respect the world cant give enough
Am i the only one who cried watching this?
Thank you Ellen for making being gay or bi not as big of an issue as it used to be.
She's had quite a journey!!
She really is an inspiration
Ellen is my hero
Indeed Ellen has changed the world!
anyone know where there is a clip of that psa with her mother?
Ellen is my hero. She is so perfect and i love her so much
I love u so so so much Ellen...
I just saw your username. I love you a little more now.
Amazing Ellen's story,Ellen have taken all the shits when coming out,it's like the Phoenix has risen from the ashes,and I do wish her luck,happiness & stay at the top forever. To the GL committee,you're lucky to have an icon like Ellen,her sexuality is not my concern,I love her sense of humour,& talent! Long Live Ellen.
You are a true inspereation..Love you Ellen
insperation
Ellen's mother is so beautiful
Ellen Thank you You saved my life
Thank you Ellen!
Times have changed
Im "straight" and,even back then I never uuderstood what the big deal was.
I loved her back then and I love her now,she has always been an amazing woman.Its just so sad that we missed years of her making us laugh becuase, of some that were nothing more than ignorant!
P.S. Just shows you how big of a person she is. I would have told JC Penny to
Shove It!!!
Love you Ellen, you are an inspiration to many, including myself :) You've taught me to stand up for myself and my beliefs, and that's it's ok to be different. I'm bi and not ashamed of my sexuality. So thank you Ellen, for teaching me to reach for my dreams :)
Ellen is amazing don't be haters
But the best part - is that it isn't a fairytale, it's real. :)
go revolutionaries!!😆
dont cry ellen
Love you Ellen xxx
LOL I didn't know Laura Dern played the gf
I LOVE ELLEN!!!!!!!!!!!
being gay isnt a choice. When did you decideyou were straight? Did you choose to be straight juston apparent day? no you did what felt right and i should know.
***** So is your ignorance looks like we both cant help it today :). grow up bitch
Mahdy rezai it has nothing to do with environmental factors. There are all kinds of people that have been raised in all kinds of ways that are attracted to the same gender. Just because you are personally against it based on your religious views doesn't make you any less ignorant on the subject
***** Its fine, I wont take insult for someone who used "weather" rather than "whether" 😂😂
now that's a fairytale I'd like to share with my kids
Like your account name. I like you. :p
We Love u Ellen ^_^
44 heartless people were here.
Lol I'm a lesbian and I have long hair and I'm the girlishness of all girls. (:
It ultimately helped her career rather than hurt it...So..."boo hoo"
Actually, he/she is right - but not in a bad way :)
I thoug she was a lesbian somehow, I dunno, I just ... "lesbian vibes" and stuff :DDDDDD
and then I told my mum what I thought and she was like: Well, she is! and I was proud of myself for like sencing it hahaha :DDD
I luv ellen
I always taught Ellen was a boy 😂
so she's gay and then what... dont care she's a great comedian that's the only thing that really matters
yea keep saying things like that, like she actually cares wat u think.
Inside the Gay (Male) cmmunity there is such an insupportably body fascism and hedonism! When I came Out I hoped to find a welcooming community, what I found was a group of egoists only conserned about their workout and where to spend the next vacation. The Gay(male ) pattern is so rigid and when you dont fit in physically, with a muscled body, you are ignored and rejected!
+Salvatore Escoti I wish you luck and hope you punch your way through :D
+Salvatore Escoti -- That's because you haven't met me.
+Salvatore Escoti good for you bro
Ellen show
do you know that in the whole animal kingdom there are numberless examples of homosexuality? A very important rule of thumb in science is: if a coinidence happens many times, it's not a coincidence. we may know some things about evolution, but I am sure we yet have to discover the more core stuff that'll explain these "coincidences" or "phenomenas" ina very understandable and reasonable way.
Click click pow omg!ellen
Gay and lesbian teenagers.
excuse me what.
No ;)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.John 3:16
{{(remember this day! It will be brought up at Judgment day if you dont repent of your sins, and accept Jesus Christ as your only Savior)}} :)
shes got a big nose