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Home › Politics

Politics | 11/17/2008 8:54 am

Wanda Sykes's Lesbian Confession at Prop 8 Protest (Video)

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
Wanda Sykes talks about gay marriage in 2007

Comedienne Wanda Sykes surprised gay rights organizers over the weekend when she came out as a lesbian.

Sykes doesn’t typically discuss her sexuality, but the 44-year old entertainer told gay rights activists at a Las Vegas rally that she’s "proud" to be a black, gay woman.

The actress, who stars in "The New Adventures of Old Christine" with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, said that the passage of California’s Proposition 8, which overturned gay marriage in the Golden State, made her feel as if she were being personally attacked. It’s especially personal, she said, because she and her girlfriend wed on October 25th, just days before voters passed Proposition 8.

Sykes certainly is not the only celebrity to speak out against the ban - openly gay Ellen DeGeneres and Melissa Etheridge have both taken to the television to express their opposition, while wOw contributor Whoopi Goldberg joined a New York protest last week in which she held a sign reading, "For My Friends Equal Rights."

Here’s a clip of Sykes making her proud proclamation…


 

 

 

Read more about: California, Coming Out, Culture, Entertainment, Gay Rights, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Las Vegas, New York, News, Proposition 8, Society, Video, Wanda Sykes

7 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Mommy Dearest
Since being a lesbian is not a crime, dear ladies, I hardy think that making one’s sexual orientation known should be characterized as a “confession!”
By Mommy Dearest on 11/17/2008 10:36 am
Cerene Masters
Well, it’s not a crime, but it is a secret in alot of cases and that’s where the confession part comes in. I have my own confession that I had to make and this confession was really to confess the truth. Check it out at www.formerlesbianconfessions.com
By Cerene Masters on 12/19/2008 10:36 am
Florida Floozy
I was sad to hear Prop 8 was not approved. Also, Amendment 2 in Florida was shot down. What’s done is done. Now - what about tax exampt laws and churches? What is being done to take away exemptions the Mormon church enjoys? Does that law not apply in light of all the money the Mormon church spent to help defeat Prop 8? Very brave of Wanda to leave the closet. Congratulations and best wishes on her recent marriage. I wish them well and a long and happy life together.
By Florida Floozy on 11/17/2008 11:36 am
Belinda Joy
I’m still shocked and surprised to now know Wanda is a lesbian….I did not see that one coming.
By Belinda Joy on 11/17/2008 7:13 pm
Belinda Joy
But then again I have always held the belief that people who are evasive about their sexuality and make comments like “it’s no one’s business but my own….or I don’t discuss my love life….” tend to be people who are living closeted lives. I have never in my entire life met a straight person that said “I don’t believe in discussing my sexual preference” yet I have met MANY people who have said the opposite that ultimately disclosed their homosexual status. I’m not Gay, so I know for me to say this it is easier said than done. But I have always felt Gays and Lesbians do a huge disservice to their rights, perception in society and overall acceptance by choosing to live closet lives. The more people who come out and are honest about their sexuality, the more the world collectively can see that this is not a small, fringe minority of people who do things “I would never think of.” The more people who are honest about who they really are shows the world this is not something to be hidden, but instead embraced. But like I said, it is easy for me to say because I don’t live with the stress of being judged by others in this manner.
By Belinda Joy on 11/17/2008 7:22 pm
Kirsten Clarkson
I think coming out should be described as a declaration. Wanda Sykes declared her homosexuality is lovely. Wanda Sykes confessed her homosexuality is not so lovely.
By Kirsten Clarkson on 02/13/2009 10:59 am
Deena B.
Umm, I’m confused.  I read in the newspaper not too long ago that she and her wife (that is the way it was worded) were new parents.  So, I just naturally assumed she had already come out.   
By Deena B. on 06/02/2009 5:16 pm