While most out gay celebrities are firm advocates of equal rights for gay people, British actor Rupert Everett — who, it should be noted, was out way before it was cool and when being openly gay was considered career suicide — has made some remarks about gay parenting that may shock you.
Shock you because they are the sort that are considered parochial by today’s standards, particularly in the entertainment industry, and shock you because, of course, Everett is himself gay.
It’s rare that entertainment industry types express these sorts of opinions about gay people, and even rarer a gay person themselves feels that way. But Rupert Everett didn’t shy away from stating his opinions boldly in a new interview, saying that his mom thinks gay people shouldn’t raise kids, and he agrees:
“She thinks children need a father and a mother and I agree with her … I can’t think of anything worse than being brought up by two gay dads … Some people might not agree with that. Fine! That’s just my opinion.”
Perhaps … growing up with no dads, Rupert Everett? Or one abusive dad? Or with parents who didn’t want to be parents? There may be a lot worse things than having two gay dads. Everett adds:
“I’m not speaking on behalf of the gay community. In fact, I don’t feel like I’m part of any ‘community’ … The only community I belong to is humanity and we’ve got too many children on the planet, so it’s good not to have more.”
The Telegraph also quotes Everett’s mom, who says:
“In the past, I have said that I wish Rupert was straight and, I probably still feel that … I’d like him to have a pretty wife. I’d like him to have children. He’s so good with children. He’d make a wonderful father … But I also think a child needs a mummy and a daddy. I’ve told him that and he takes it very well. He doesn’t get angry with me. He just smiles.”
Eep. Do you think that Rupert Everett and his mom are behind the times when it comes to gay parenting?