Jodie Foster "comes out"

Last week at the Golden Globe Awards, Jodie Foster did a brave and commendable thing. She “came out” of the closet by saying she had come out a lot earlier. For those unfamiliar with this phrase, “coming out of the closet” means declaring that you are a homosexual.

While accepting that she has been gay for all her life, Foster has made a brave decision. She said in the speech (she was getting a lifetime achievement award), “Everybody I knew, everybody who were close to me knew that I was gay. But now apparently, I am told that celebrities are expected to honour the details of their private lives in a press conference and a fragrance a prime time reality show”.

“When you have been in the spotlight, in the movie field for 47 years, you will learn to appreciate the importance and necessity of privacy.”

I completely agree with Foster, who is also one of my all-time favourites. Everybody has to learn to draw a line, beyond which you respect the privacy of celebrities. How would you feel if every tiny little aspect of your life is scrutinised and blown out of proportion?

Well done, Jodie!

I also feel that she has done the right thing in revealing her sexuality.  In a world where gays are victimised and oppressed, this is the right move and the route to a better future. If celebrities can come out and say “I’m gay and I’m happy”, other normal people will also find the courage and self-confidence to state their own sexually to the world.

Since the turn of the millennium, we have seen a good number of celebrities and popular figures revealing their sexuality. They have received some negative feedback from conservative people who cannot understand anyone different from them. The reception has generally been positive and well received.

Let us hope and believe that soon, nobody has to hide their sexual preferences in a closet. Bravo Jodie Foster! May more people follow in your footsteps!