I am glad he had the courage to come out. ‘Coming out’ would be a non-issue, if we all had acceptance and the same civil rights. This is no "gay agenda". We just want equal rights as tax-paying Americans. I’ve read comments saying we want to "..teach gay sex in the classrooms…"—this is so wrong. Most of us try to live quiet and respectable lives. I wish some of you would read the excellent book "A Place at the Table", which is an even and sound expression of what most Americans who happen to be homosexual want: nothing radical, or shocking…just equal rights under the constitution. I have written exhaustively on this site about how I can lose my job in my home state of Alabama, for no other reason than the fact that I am a lesbian. I keep a low profile, I am an excellent employee, and I feel—to the very depth of my being—that this is unfair. I am (as the rest of gay America) tired of being afraid, constantly disrespected, and of being treated as a second-class citizen. This is why people like Stiers need to come out. So the rest of us can see who we are…So you can’t pretend we do not exist. We are here, and we are your coworkers, your neighbors, and even your own friends and family. I wish everyone would ask themself this question: "Is it possible that I have a gay friend or family member who would be afraid for me to know this about them?". I can tell you I have old friends, coworkers, and even relatives I would never reveal my identity to because I know I would be rejected. Instead I put up with negative comments on a daily basis, I put up with some people’s attempts to "fix me up" with a "nice man", and I remain silent about my partner of 4 years and my home life.  Some nosey heterosexuals are always curious though…and some of the posters here have the nerve to say we "flaunt" ourselves or "want to rub everyone’s nose in our ‘lifestyle’". I wish—just for one day you had to walk in my shoes!

I am certain that I am asking a stupid question, but I’m willing to throw myself out there. Why is is that anytime anyone posts something that some people don’t agree with, they’re called "ignorant?" Kelly in TX is obviously not ignorant.  She is stating her OPINION on gay marriage and how many rights gays have currently in 21st century America.  If you don’t agree with her, then state, "I wish to respectfully disagree with you," and then give her your talking points as to WHY you disagree.  Don’t blast her out for being ignorant just because her beliefs are different from yours.  That’s what makes America so great - we can all state our opinions, however we need to be prepared that everyone else here also has that same right, even when they don’t agree with us. 

Honestly, I view the gay marriage situ like this - if gays want to get married, then bully for them.  Like I heard a comedian once say, "let them get married.  Then they can lose 50% of their stuff in a divorce like the rest of us." 

Remember that we all have the right to freedom of speech and nothing drives me battier when someone can’t state their counterpoint without calling the other debator "ignorant," "dumb," or "stupid."  Because honestly, in my opinion that tells me that you don’t have enough of a good argument in kind and must resort to juvenile name calling to make yourself feel better. 

Mr. stiers played Charles Emerson Winchester the 3rd on M.A.S.H. That he has publically announced (or a reporter has publically announced) his sexual preference is not news but privacy invasion. I think he’s a good actor and his private life is his, not mine to be informed of.

OK.  The mistake in the article was that DOS played Charles and not Frank.  Fine.

 The point is, I support him for being honest and stating what I believe to be a noble reason for saying who he is.

I am so tired of the stereotyped misconception that being gay or lesbian is only about sex.  Is being straight only about the sex???  It’s about love, and family, and committment.  Sex is a part of that, but it’s not the only part, not by a long shot.  Do not define people by what they do in one room of their house, we live in all the rooms, and we are who we are in all of them.    If I were never to have sex again for the rest of my life (G-d forbid), I would still be a lesbian, it is who I am, not what I do.  My partner of 26 years and I worry much more about managing with money, raising our teenager, our health, the environment, etc as a couple. 

 I’m reminded of something Robin Tyler said:

"When a straight person tells you about their family, shows you pictures of their spouse and kids, this is called ‘sharing’.  When a gay person tells you about their family, shows you pictures of their partner and kids, this is called ‘flaunting’.

We want to share."

What a weird thing to say! What on earth do you perceive to be a connection between marriage rights and public school sex ed content?