LAS VEGAS (AP) — Comedian Wanda Sykes says the passage of a same-sex marriage ban in California has led to her be more outspoken about being gay.
"You know, I don't really talk about my sexual orientation. I didn't feel like I had to. I was just living my life, not necessarily in the closet, but I was living my life," Sykes told a crowd at a gay rights rally in Las Vegas on Saturday.
"Everybody that knows me personally they know I'm gay. But that's the way people should be able to live their lives," she said.
Sykes, who is known for her feisty and blunt style, said the passage of California's Proposition 8 made her feel like she was "attacked."
"Now, I gotta get in their face," she said. "I'm proud to be a woman. I'm proud to be a black woman, and I'm proud to be gay."
Sykes' appearance at the Las Vegas rally surprised organizers. She was in town performing at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gkyR0ezmPGvnecTYumldbe_SP1hQD94FP7CO0
this makes me smile. I love wanda so much.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
I'd to lez for her in a second!
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/06
YAY! Proud lezzies make me smile! (Actually, just lesbians in general make me smile.)
Glad she's finally saying something. Hasn't been much of a secret.
That's really terrific! She's bound to help a lot with some people's perceptions of "who" is gay.
Wait, she's really gay? Totally shocked.
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/3/05
Queen, are you listening? You have a much broader reach with your voice.
Just sayin'.
Audio of Wanda speaking at Prop 8 protest
Here is the video of her.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRyVH-1zadg
Always loved her!!!
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/7/06
YAY! That makes me happy.
I seriously had no idea she was gay.
Good for her for speaking out!
Soon everyone will be gay. It's like Invasion of the Body Snatchers. One by one, everybody becomes gay. "YOU'RE NEXT!"
I didn't realize she was gay. Loved the interview at the end with the 18 year old who said it was our time to take up the movement.
I was so surprised by this. I saw Wanda Sykes' special on Comedy Central when she was talking about "Drink Man" and things men did in bed, so I had assumed she was straight.
Good for her for coming out publicly. I wish more celebs would.
Yay! I love any opportunity to prove to my girlfriend that I was right about any of the 100 or so celebrities I constantly say are gay.
We both love Wanda. Racist ass dolphin!
Heh.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/05
WOW, I had no idea she was gay! I always thought she was just an advocate of gay rights.
Very cool though- I lurve her
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/05
"No complaints that she stayed in the closet instead of getting out there and urging African Americans to vote against Proposition 8 before it was too late?"
Wanda Sykes has been VERY vocal about LGBT rights and was about Prop 8 as well.
Exactly. Just because she hadn't come out and actually said "I'm gay" until this point, that DOESN'T mean she wasn't extremely vocal about it. It IS possible to be an advocate of the LGBT community while still remaining private about your own personal life.
Ms. Sykes will be very useful. She's something many spokespeople for this civil rights issue are not: truly funny. The movement needs her. Gay people need her. America needs her.
Edit:OK with the picture removed, that makes no sense.
Wanda is extremely funny and I am so glad to have her on our side!
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/3/05
I like that this thread is back to the topic at hand.
Brava, Ms. Sykes - and thank you.
Sykes for Dykes.....gotta love her !!!
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