New Celebrity Coming Out Series Coming to A&E

Celebrity Publicist Howard Bragman

Just when you thought reality TV had mined every vein of the mundane, comes a show that may actually revive the genre and do some good in the process. Celebrity PR guru and crisis management expert Howard Bragman, who managed the coming out of Chaz Bono, Meredith Baxter and Chely Wright and now represents former Jet Blue employee/escape artist Steven Slater, pitched the idea of a coming out show to cable channel A&E earlier this year.

Bragman told The Globe, "It is a difficult series to cast and produce, but celebrities have been approaching me. The idea is people tune in each week to find out who is coming out - and the response will be either 'Duh!' or 'Wow!' We will have 'Wows!' But it is not about how big the celebrity is. It's really about the storytelling. I'll never force somebody out."

My guess is that we'll probably see some grown up child stars that have been all but forgotten or some D List straight-to-DVD actors, but it could be worth it if it inspires other, bigger celebs to come out. The show is slated to premier the week before Christmas.

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Obama Serves Up More Lip Service at Pride Reception

Citing a laundry list of his accomplishments on LGBT issues, President Obama hosted a reception last night in honor of Pride Month.

• Matthew Shepherd Hate Crimes Act: Check, 

• Domestic partner benefits for federal workers: Check

• FMLA benefits for Lesbian and Gay parents: Check.

In light of the fact that we've heard this all before, what can I say that I haven't said before?

Yes, he's done more for LGBT Americans than any other president in the history of the US. Yes, he's got a lot on his plate, but it sort of comes with the job. He made lots of promises to the LGBT community in return for our support and he's been fiddle around for 18 months with his piecemeal approach to helping us achieve full equality.

In the following video, the Big O addresses the crowd made up of LGBT youth, like Constance McMillen, who sued her school for the right to attend her prom with her girlfriend and country music star Chely Wright, who recently came out as a lesbian. Also in the carefully selected crowd were leaders of state LGBT rights groups, but leaders from national groups, like HRC's Joe Solmonese and GetEqual's Robin McGehee were notably not invited.

Notice that when he talks about passing an inclusive ENDA, he says that no one should be fired for being gay, but leaves out gender expression or identity. Did Obama tip his hand? Are trans people being thrown under the bus? Stay tuned folks. This should be in interesting summer.

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Country Singer Chely Wright Comes out as Lesbian (video)

When rumors started to circulate around the web last weekend about a major star coming out this week, I was mildly interested, but didn't give it much thought.

The last celeb to burst through the closet doors was actor Sean Hayes, who's true confession to the Advocate last month resulted in the yawn heard 'round the world. I mean seriously. Was it really even necessary? Hayes himself admits he was never in the closet. I can't even remember if I wrote anything about it. The very least I expected from the latest gay buzz was that it would be someone I had actually heard of.

Now the interwebs are all abuzz with the news that country music singer Chely Wright has announced that she's a lesbian. My first thought was, "who is she and why can't she spell her name right?". I'll be honest with you, I'm not a big fan of country music. Like any gay man, I love Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline, but I think that's more of a gay thing than a music thing.

When I saw the following clip from Wright's Today Show appearance I became a little less cynical. I understand that it's hard enough to come out when you're not a celebrity, but no one in the history of country music has ever come out. Even kd lang waited until she crossed over to mainstream pop before she came out. Fans of this genre are some of the most conservative people out there. This could be a career-ending decision. Bravo to a brave young woman who decided to risk it all in order to live her life openly and honestly.

Far be it from me to rain on anyone's Pride Parade. So it is with all due respect to this courageous woman that I say welcome to the family, Chely Wright (whoever you are).

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