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News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbyJanuary 6th, 2012
I was under the impression that Kristy McNichol, child actress star of Family and Empty Nest, came out decades ago. Guess I was wrong, because she just made it official. (People)
McNichol, 49, who has lived with her partner Martie Allen, also 49, for the past two decades, decided to make a statement about her sexuality and share this photo because she is “approaching 50” and wants to “be open about who I am.”
She “is very sad about kids being bullied,” her publicist Jeff Ballard tells PEOPLE. “She hopes that coming out can help kids who need support. She would like to help others who feel different.”
Kristy certainly went through her own period in which she desperately needed support and even after two decades of self-exile, there’s a certain sincerity to the announcement. Let’s hope that informing the last 15 people who weren’t aware of her orientation will not only serve to bring closure to Kristy but will encourage some teen out there who has the faintest clue who she is.
Welcome out, Kristy.
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cooner
January 6th, 2012
Aah, no offense, but doesn’t your coverage here sound a bit snarky towards the end there? I guess I’m one of those 15 people … I remember her from my childhood but as she’s been out of the limelight hadn’t thought about her in years, and don’t remember particularly anything about her sexual orientation.
Even if she did come out at some point earlier, a lot has changed in the last decade or two … If she feels the desire to come out of seclusion long enough to reaffirm her identity, does that justify the snide comment? Did Kristy piss in your cereal bowl or something? :)
gar
January 6th, 2012
I totally thought she came out years ago. Oh well, I’m happy to hear that she’s done so now.
Hyhybt
January 6th, 2012
I remember hearing at the time that her being a lesbian had something to do with leaving Empty Nest…
Jim Burroway
January 7th, 2012
Count me as among those who thought she came out decades ago. I always liked her, even though I *hated* Family with a passion. I’m glad to see her looking so happy.
Non-Idiot
January 7th, 2012
Congrats to her. I hope she’s happy, as she appears to be. Bitchy articles aside, I have never heard of this show, it must be a generational gap thing…
Charles
January 7th, 2012
I’ve always have loved Kristy and the characters she played on TV. I did suspect that her emotional difficulties that were reported were because of her sexual orientation. I wish her much happiness.
BTW – Meredith Baxter the older sister on “Family” came out a couple of years ago.
Charles
January 7th, 2012
“Count me as among those who thought she came out decades ago. I always liked her, even though I *hated* Family with a passion. I’m glad to see her looking so happy. – Jim Burroway”
How could anyone dislike the TV show “Family”? I don’t think I ever missed an episode. It even dealt with the “gay issue” that was still a very rare issue to deal with on TV.
Ben in Oakland
January 7th, 2012
Make tHat the last 16 people. I know her name and that she was an actress,, but had no Idea who she was beyond that
Priya Lynn
January 7th, 2012
Count me with Cooner, I’m one of those 15 people who didn’t know she was a lesbian.
Timothy Kincaid
January 7th, 2012
And let me add, her time away seems to have treated her well. Sometimes one sees ex-stars and feels sadness that time wasn’t kind, but Kristy looks beautiful at 49.
Regan DuCasse
January 7th, 2012
I was about to say, Tim.
She and the love of her life are a BEAUTIFUL couple. Their relationship, has been as good to them, as it has been enduring.
Happy to see this.
Edgar Manhattan
January 8th, 2012
Shouldn’t we all warmly welcome anyone like Ms McNichol who comes out publicly?
Especially since she has good reasons to be wary of the media?
And yes, that story in People will help some isolated kids in hostile environments feel like they’re not so alone, whether they know who Ms. McNichols is or not.
Every supportive word that gets to those kids is valuable.
justme
January 9th, 2012
Wow. I don’t get why you indulge in misguided cruelty as often as you do –or why you have a platform here to do it — but I hope it’s doing you some good to get the venom out of your system, at least.
Kristy McNichol is the enemy? Kristy McNichol should have taken time away from dealing with her mental illness so that she could deal with the stress of coming out in the 1980s, or the 1990s or even the 2000s? If a public figure doesn’t come out on your timetable, then their coming out doesn’t do any good at all?
I have no idea what you expect people are supposed to take away from your recurring flat-out mean-spirited and even childish bullying, but it’s not the least bit attractive or helpful and it doesn’t make you look smart or funny.
Timothy Kincaid
January 9th, 2012
Oh good heavens. So I didn’t gush over Kristy McNichol’s coming out or shriek in delight. Hey, I’m happy the woman is happy and I’m glad she’s finally officially out of the closet. Yay!!
Now pull your undies out of your crack and get on with your day.
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