Matt Doyle-another wonderful low-key coming out..

Posted: 12/16/09 at 11:22am

So,have we turned a corner? In the past few years, so many performers have come out (Cheyenne, Gavin, Groff, and I am sure I am forgetting some) and now I read that Matt Doyle casually came out. Granted, Matt is not exactly a household name, but he is a young actor with a growing career. I just hope this is a trend that continues, because each time it happens, it gets a little less news-worthy.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 11:28am

"Honestly, I would not advise any actor necessarily, if he was really thinking of his career, to come out." ~ Rupert "Chip-on-my-shoulder" Everett, December 2009

Updated On: 12/16/09 at 11:28 AM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 11:39am

As more gay stage performers come out we can reclaim theatre as being a bastion of the gays again, and upset the pissy straight people who get defensive when we make those kinds of comments! Yay!

Posted: 12/16/09 at 11:50am

You said it Phyllis! Now if we can only get more actors here on the left coast to follow their lead!

[Tom1071]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 4:34pm

I never knew he was in the closet. Updated On: 12/16/09 at 04:34 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 8:28pm

Considering that we live in a heteronormative society where people have to "come out" as gay, you could say that everyone is technically "in the closet" until they officially state their sexuality.

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 9:08pm

Where did he come out? Magazine, interview, etc?

[Eris0303]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 9:09pm

I'm straight. Can I come out now?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 9:10pm

I agree with the "coming out" thing. Why MUST there be an official statement of any kind?

When I don't have to announce my heterosexualtiy....no one else should have to announce their homosexuality.

The gay community has made some great strides, but I fear there is still a long journey ahead.

[AC126748]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 9:14pm

Dolly, this article from Broadway.com mentions his "boyfriend Wes" (Wesley Taylor, of THE ADDAMS FAMILY and ROCK OF AGES). He has also talked about Wesley on his Twitter.
http://www.broadway.com/buzz/day-life-ibye-bye-birdieis-matt-doyle/

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 9:36pm

No on has to announce anything, but I think it's a little silly and patronizing to act like it doesn't matter when someone comes out publicly.

Why do they have to announce it? For starters, if they don't but you mention them being gay on BWW the thread will be deleted, which reinforces the notion that saying someone is gay is an insult.

Because we live in a homophobic country, that has been enacting anti-gay legislation for yours. Perhaps the more people come out in the spotlight, more people out of the spotlight will and we'll finally have enough power to let people trample all over us.

There are a million more reasons, but I'm tired of having to get into them.

Eris, come out as straight all you want.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 9:54pm

Awww...

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 10:00pm

They look so sweet together.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 10:02pm

They look happy.

[AC126748]

Posted: 12/16/09 at 10:05pm

Two very lucky guys.

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 12/17/09 at 11:12am

I love both these guys. I interviewed Matt twice, and he really is the sweetest thing, exuberant and passionate about his life in theater.

Wesley, I spoke with only at stage door and he was terrific. He offered me an animal cracker, which of course I ate. He also posed ad nauseum for photos, and when I returned another time, he signed them.

If this is the future of theater, it bodes very very well.

[Q]

Posted: 12/17/09 at 11:26am

PRS - great post. Thank you.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/17/09 at 12:18pm

Thanks. I'm just astounded how many people still don't get it.

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 12/17/09 at 1:30pm

Thanks, AC126748. I had missed that photo set on Bway.com. Nice. Based on this discussion, I was expecting something grander and more "official" as a coming out statement.

What I can appreciate is that it's not really a coming out per se. It's just presented casually, normally, as fact, just another part of the story. I see that as very postive. Same as his twitter postings - no trumpets announcing anything - just living truthfully.

And agreed that he and Wes make a very cute couple.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 4:01am

Hey I'm just glad I can piss straight

(OK SOMEtimes i miss a little bit but I'm menopausal- I paused for too many men!)

[winston89]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 4:20am

I am laughing only because I recently started watching the Rock Of Ages production videos on Youtube starting when the show was at New World. One of the scenes in one of them was Wesley Taylor talking about how he is worried about the show going to Broadway and what it means for him in getting future work. In that he fears that he would be tapped as "the gay guy" when he is actually so much more as an actor.

PRS, I get it I really do. But, I think that dramamama611 is right. Now, I don't know if I am a bit of a forward thinker but if someone comes out I think nothing of it. Not to say that I think it is a bad thing because I don't. But, I mean that if someone were to tell me that they were gay I really wouldn't see that as a big deal. I don't see the need to have someone announce their sexuality because I feel like in this day and age it shouldn't matter. Does it matter, unfortunatly yes, but it shouldn't.

[BwayTday]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 12:24pm

They are both very talented. I agree with Dolly Levi, it wasn't a big statement, he just living.

The look at they exchange around 1:29 is so adorable Updated On: 12/20/09 at 12:24 PM

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 12/20/09 at 1:18pm

"Considering that we live in a heteronormative society where people have to "come out" as gay, you could say that everyone is technically "in the closet" until they officially state their sexuality."

Perfect way of describing it. Agreed 100%

[wendilin622]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 8:51pm

If we live in a society in which people have to come out and state their sexuality, what is the appropriate response to those who come out? If it's no longer a big deal, should I shrug my shoulders and say "ok."? I have never been surprised by any of my friends who have come out to me, however, I feel so cold just saying "ok". Since in many cases, it was a big deal for them to me, and often it showed that they trusted me etc. I've often just said something along the lines of "if you're happy, I'm happy". However, I don't want to make it too big of a deal.

As for Matt Doyle (I always thought he was "out" by the way...he mentions Wes in his bio in Birdie's playbill), I can only hope that boy keeps singing. I'd love a record from him some day. He has a truly remarkable voice. One of my favorites on Broadway.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/21/09 at 8:53pm

You could just say "thank you for sharing that with me."