Zachary Quinto Comes Out as Gay
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Zachary Quinto, best known for starring on the TV series “Heroes” and as Spock in the most recent “Star Trek” movie, has come out as gay in an interview with New York magazine.
Quinto, who recently wrapped an eight-month stint in an Off Broadway restaging of Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer prize winning play “Angels in America,” discussed one of the play’s main topics, the AIDS epidemic n the 1980s, and how he feels lucky to not have witnessed it firsthand.
“As a gay man, [the play] made me feel like there’s still so much work to be done, and there’s still so many things that need to be looked at and addressed,” Quinto said in the interview.
Though Quinto, 34, has never formally addressed his sexuality in the press, there has been much speculation across the Internet since he rose to fame as the villainous Sylar on “Heroes” and in 2009′s “Star Trek” reboot.
Though his filmography lists a diverse array of roles, he has portrayed several gay characters on television shows like Tori Spelling’s short-lived “So NoTORIous” and on the new FX series “American Horror Story.”
In the interview Quinto discusses how he feels living in a word where in the same summer New York State can pass a law legalizing gay marriage and 14-year-old gay high school student Jamey Rodemeyer is bullied to death.
“Again, as a gay man I look at that and say there’s a hopelessness that surrounds it, but as a human being I look at it and say ‘Why? Where’s this disparity coming from, and why can’t we as a culture and society dig deeper to examine that?’ We’re terrified of facing ourselves,” Quinto said.
After the story hit the Internet, Quinto posted on his website a message discussing Rodemeyer and his decision to publicly acknowledge his sexuality:
‘In light of Jamey’s death — it became clear to me in an instant that living a gay life without publicly acknowledging it — is simply not enough to make any significant contribution to the immense work that lies ahead on the road to complete equality.”
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Why does the media feel the need to officially announce this? Like some side show circus freak, does it attract attention? My announcement that I am heterosexual does not sell air time I guess.
Posted by: ras | October 17, 2011, 3:55 am 3:55 am
gay not gay…grrrr am making bucks. Make $85/hour on the computer. like me and my friend james who has been without a job for 7 months but last month his check was $7330 just working on the computer for a few hours. Read about it on this site: is.gd/Yo5fi
Posted by: coldgrutt | October 17, 2011, 4:23 am 4:23 am
Um, I thought he was always openly gay. Oh well still can’t wait for the next star trek movie. He does a heck of a good Spock.
Posted by: Gabe | October 17, 2011, 4:40 am 4:40 am
Is everyone in Hollywood gay?
Posted by: Bob | October 17, 2011, 8:23 am 8:23 am
Seriously, who cares?
Posted by: Lance Cordill | October 17, 2011, 8:54 am 8:54 am
Hmph… showing my age… from the headline I immediately thought of Leonard Nimoy and said “WHAAAAAT???” I vaguely know who this guy is but best of luck to him!!!
Posted by: MyTakeOnThis61 | October 17, 2011, 8:58 am 8:58 am
That is a che*ap head*line. I thought they meant Leonard Ni*moy.
Posted by: Ricky | October 17, 2011, 9:16 am 9:16 am
The revisionist “Star Trek” movie sucked and (as with “Star Trek V”) hopefully be considered totally apocryphal rather than official canon. Who cares about the cast?
Posted by: Publius | October 17, 2011, 9:42 am 9:42 am
In the general population gays make up 10% but in the acting world I would say its closer to 50% (I have gotten to know many actors lately) and the Broadway world closer to 80% now a days.
Posted by: Chris | October 17, 2011, 9:50 am 9:50 am
Well…
I don’t think anyone really cares..
But am glad he set his conscience free at last
Posted by: Ali v | October 17, 2011, 10:13 am 10:13 am
Leonard Nimoy is gay? Oh you mean some other Star Trek’s Spock.
What’s a matter are you running out of gay celebrities?
BTW, yeah – the latest Star Trek movie was good – but please, oh please, stop doing the same stories over and over again, how about a new adventure?
Posted by: RoboBobo | October 17, 2011, 10:13 am 10:13 am
“In the general population gays make up 10% but in the acting world I would say its closer to 50% (I have gotten to know many actors lately) and the Broadway world closer to 80% now a days.” -Chris
Um…Chris, only 1-2% of Americans have actually acknowledged themselves as gay. You must know your statistics before you state them.
Posted by: Arthur Kirkland | October 17, 2011, 10:42 am 10:42 am
Sheezzzz….any straight guys out there left?
Posted by: EZ Wakko | October 17, 2011, 10:51 am 10:51 am
LOL. I don’t care about Zachary Quinto, but I thought this was a story about Leonard Nimoy who just officially retired from Trekkiedom last week.
Posted by: rippedpockets | October 17, 2011, 10:55 am 10:55 am
Is everyone in Hollywood gay?
Posted by: Bob
_______________________
I would not be surprised if a very large percentage of them are. Homosexuality is very rampant in the entertainment population and always has been. It might even take a shade of grey such as homosexuality to be an entertainer in the first place.
There are not very many entertainers, in either acting or singing who are family oriented, stay married to the same spouse, do not have a string of lovers on the side, or who are gay. Even the all-American John Denver, who everybody thought was true blue wound up divorced because he had a lover on the side.
Contrasty to what the “experts” say, the entertainment world does NOT reflect mainstream America.
If ANY actor or singer comes out and announce he/she is gay it should come as absolutely no surprise to anyone.
Posted by: ivan | October 17, 2011, 11:09 am 11:09 am
Oh, those columnists and their headline shockers. Well, they got the attention to the article they wanted. Of course, Trekkers are more or less yawning. With Kirk’s son being gay in the Phase II series and gay cadets in The Hidden Frontier series, this is just more of the same old same old. Perhaps the article should have focused more on the dicotomoy of gay equality in marriage with gay inequality in the seemingly same society. BTW, it takes at least 2 viewings to begin to understand what Angels In America really is since it really is a rather complex collection of dramas.
Posted by: Wayne | October 17, 2011, 11:31 am 11:31 am
I live for the day this will not be news. Everyone should have the same rights. To those who say that they don’t care..you should. It might be your rights at some point trampled or taken away. Hetero’s talk about their sexuality all the time..” my wife” , ” my husband” blah blah blah. Gay people are entitled to the same comforts. I only wish he was comfortable enough in his own skin to come out earlier, but glad he did for this cause. Not one of us should stand idly by and allow anyone to be bullied.
Posted by: Linda | October 17, 2011, 11:35 am 11:35 am
uhm…so? What is his expectation now?
Posted by: takn123 | October 17, 2011, 11:59 am 11:59 am
Um…Chris, only 1-2% of Americans have actually acknowledged themselves as gay. You must
know your statistics before you state them.POSTED BY: ARTHUR KIRKLAND. How would you
know? Don’t tell us, you read it in catholic digest! LOL!!! I can guarantee that there is a member of
your family who is in the closet. Hmmm, is it dark in there?
Posted by: michael | October 17, 2011, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm
I would like to announce that I am a heterosexual. I love women and will always love and be attracted to women. Doesn’t everybody feel much better now?
Posted by: s | October 17, 2011, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm
Linda…we already have the same rights. You’ll find them in the Constitution of the United States (along with the many Amendments thereto). No need to make special laws for people who choose to live their lives differently.
Posted by: s | October 17, 2011, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm
You dumb people. Celebraties announce they are gay because there is still a stigma attached to it. It’s called being a role model. You have them in the straight world but you don’t have to announce it because you are the one’s who make villians of people who aren’t just like you. You also don’t have to lie about what you did on the weekend or who you are dating.
Posted by: drake | October 17, 2011, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm
“Fill me up, Scotty.”
Posted by: Aaron Ververs | October 17, 2011, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm
Let me just say – WHO CARES? This is not national news – has nothing to do with jobs, losing homes, losing health insurance or anthing else that is REALLY IMPORTANT……
Posted by: Kathleen | October 17, 2011, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm
To all of you who are asking, “Who cares?” You obviously do or you wouldn’t take the trouble to post about it here. Why is this news? Because the more celebrities like Quinto who come out, the more 14 year old gay kids will see them and think they have a place in the world. I think that’s worth the cost of your irritation at hearing about people come out.
Posted by: Posterwolf | October 17, 2011, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm
“To all of you who are asking, ‘Who cares?’ You obviously do or you wouldn’t take the trouble to post about it here.” I think those asking “Who cares?” are commenting about the news item, and caring that ABC is wasting time and space reporting a non-story.
Posted by: Publius | October 17, 2011, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
Always thought Spock was a friend of Dorothy. This is great news!
Posted by: Jenn | October 17, 2011, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm
@Publius: You and others care that ABC news is wasting time and space? Really? Your concern for ABC is touching, but again, if you think it’s a waste of time and space why bother to perpetuate said waste by commenting? Also, this is in the *entertainment* section, folks. I hate to break it to you but this section is full of non-stories about the love lives, clothes, parties, and drug arrests of celebrities. If you want ‘real’ news you came to the wrong place.
I stand by my earlier post. If knowing Zachary Quinto is gay contributes anything at all to preventing some kid from committing suicide, it’s well worth your irritation.
Posted by: Posterwolf | October 17, 2011, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm
never had an issue with it, though, i presumed he was gay from the first time i saw him. i’ve always thought he portrayed a very believable part, and his sexual orientation had no affecrt on how i perceived his character.
its high time people be allowed their own personal choices and have protection to insulate them and their relationship just as those who are in monogamous relationships.
Posted by: reneraven | October 17, 2011, 9:09 pm 9:09 pm
I work in Hollywood and the vast majority of actors, producers, above-the-line and below-the-line workers are straight. It’s the gay ones making so much noise that people think there are so many gays in Hollywood, but just like in every American city, there are no more than 2% of the population.
Posted by: HenryO | October 18, 2011, 8:58 am 8:58 am
Spock, say it ain’t so! Would the original Spock determine that to be logical or not illogical. If there were gay Vulcans, what would happen during the Ponfar?
Posted by: trekfan | October 18, 2011, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm
Somebody must be desperate for headlines, why does this actor think no one knew? Besides it is the actor who is gay not – Spock -much less the real Spock.
Hey world I’m coming out!!! I’m very straight!!!
Posted by: cheyenne | October 19, 2011, 1:58 am 1:58 am
Horrible…. conform to society, the end is near!
Posted by: Pat | October 20, 2011, 12:20 am 12:20 am
Tired of this! So tired of this! Why do we need to talk about sex all the time? Gay men are gay because they can have sex with anyone with not responsibilities. Once I’m straight and then I’m gay. Not born that way, just decided to have sex more often. It is so sad someone need to announce come and stick it in my butt cause I’m pathetic. Gays should have to abide by sodemy laws, marriage laws and common “you make me sick” laws. If I walked around talking about my sex life, well – I wouldn’t do that! Grow up – start looking at children like they do not need to know this stuff!
Posted by: Lindsay Lohamn | October 20, 2011, 7:06 am 7:06 am
Hiya Lindsey, How ya doin’? Do ya need a hug?
Let me respond to whatever that was… There is an ever present hatred that seems to spew from closed minded ignorate and faceless people like you. You annoy me and countless other sane people. YOUR RANT WAS MORE ABOUT SEX AND SODOMY THEN ANYONE ELSES!!!! WTF!? It reminded me of the words to a Marlyn Manson song. And as for Mr. Quinto, he is helping gay/questioning youths feel less alone. Take a line from your own book- “start looking at children like they do not need to know this stuff!” -you write.
Hello,my name is Xavier, and I’m a Trekkie who’s gay for Zachary!
Live Long and Prosper- Gurrrrl!
Posted by: Xavier McDonell | October 20, 2011, 11:18 pm 11:18 pm
why hasn’t my comment been posted?
Posted by: scott wafrock | November 4, 2011, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm
“Why does the media feel the need to officially announce this? Like some side show circus freak, does it attract attention? My announcement that I am heterosexual does not sell air time I guess.”
Why? Because you’re not being discriminated against, or jumping from bridges, or committing suicide because of your heterosexuality. Let it be known and let it be news – when a secular country governed by laws discriminates against a married gay couple by deporting an American citizen’s spouse because under the law they’re not full citizens.
Posted by: Andrew | November 8, 2011, 10:59 am 10:59 am
Headline news: Straight man bullied for being straight! Straight couple denied marriage rights because they are straight! Man cannot see his wife in hospital because the state does not recognize his marriage right as a straight couple! A teen age man committed suicide because he is straight! A young lady was fired from her job for being straight! Alternate universe? Yes! What if this were the reality, wouldn’t you fight for your rights as a straight person? To Lindsay……..?
Posted by: rp143 | February 25, 2012, 6:49 am 6:49 am