Sorry about this but I couldn't be arsed to make four seperate posts and my attempts to link these items are futile but...whatever...
''Maggie is this tremendously intelligent and alive and funny actor,'' says
Secretary director Steven Shainberg. ''There are few good parts for
women, ever. It's particularly hard when you're not, you know, Kate
Bosworth, who's fine and all that. But Maggie doesn't look like that
and isn't like that. She tries to find [projects] that have a little bit
more meat.''
Damn straight! It's about time someone questioned Kate Bosworth's mere existence in britpopbaby's extensive actor database. And while we're bitching about Kate Bosworth...
Pics removed.
Pics removed.
Speaking of shit, in that I don't want to start a shit storm but a reader messaged me a link to this article: Rumor Has It: The Gay Gossip Mill in the Age of Blogging posted at AfterElton.com. If you're not interested in all the gay rumours then feel free to ignore it but if you are read it HERE. I just thought some folks would wanna chat about it because of our current Ted C discussion (well mine, wtbgirl and The Bearded Lady's current discussion). I'm not sure of the exact tone of the article but I think it raises a few interesting points, mainly:
But gossiping about influential, gay-supportive celebrities in ways that
question their integrity and good intentions isn't the best way to thank
them for all they've done for the gay and lesbian community. We're better
than that.
We can find hundreds of pictures of Jake in spandex on the Internet, but
all that makes him, I believe, is a straight man in "gay" clothing. He can
ride a bike with Lance Armstrong and, yes, play the bottom to Heath
Ledger's top in a film, but he still prefers girls. He can even kiss Elton
John in a pup tent on George Michael's front lawn, if the occasion
arises, but that won't make him gay … or British, for that matter.
What the gossip might make him, though, is angry.
Jake's got to be telling Andy Towle, a blogger on a tongue-in-cheek
mission to make Jake gay, to get a life. Do these stars have a right
to be upset, or is the rumor mill a price they must pay for being
famous? Both, I suppose, but when is enough, enough?
Hey, what's wrong with being British? Okay, if you need me, I'll be in the corner, curled up, rocking backwards and fowards...
91 comments:
Oh, I don't now. For me, as a straight woman, the whole 'are they/aren't they gay' thing, is, quite simply, an extension of the 'what/who are they/aren't they doing' gossip thing.
It is gossip-worthy when a celebrity dates - and it is more gossip-worthy when a celebrity dates an unlikely candidate. And, if the celeb in question hasn't come out, a same-sex individual is a more unlikely candidate than someone of the opposite sex. Just like dating someone else's man is also extra gossip-worthy (look at Brangelina).
Should we gossip? Probably not. Are we sad for it? Quite probably yes. Is life too short? Most definitely yes.
Let he who is free of sin, etc. In the whole pantheon, the sin of enjoying occasional gossip still doesn't make kittens cry.
What an energic way of waking up and getting out of my bed, Brits.
Gay issues are such an obsession these days, and I agree with you that Jake doesn't fit in British gay prototype, if there is something like that... not no mention he "doesn't seem" gay enough to my eyes, sorry for the Ted C folks, but why does gay community want so desperately some actors like Jake being like them? They should remember that sexuality is not white or black and there isn't a question of mere categories, quoting "freely" some words that Jake used in his "Out" interview. Call me crazy, but I'm convinced that nowadays we live in a society which confounds a heterosexual option with reactionary values and gay option with liberal values. So wrong!
and I agree with you that Jake doesn't fit in British gay prototype
Hey! It's not me, it's whoever wrote the article. I'd be very hard pushed to define what a stereptypical gay British person is.
Oh, excuse my mistake! Ok, I read it again, and... nothing wrong with being English, British or Spanish, obviously, but I suppose there is a stereotype of British homosexuals more "marked" than, say German or Spanish homosexuals, which can annoy some British people. I have met some gay guys, and each of them was different from the rest, so my opinion based on my personal experience is that stereotyping is vain most of times.
Surely there is no better English gay stereotype than poor old Kenneth Williams...
http://www.020.com/webs/020/images/PhotoDB/kenneth-williams-bbc.jpg
LOL Material alert!!
I always thought to myself that people who are gossip columnists/tv hosts in the US must be failed actors/models/musicians/artists, and this is their revenge to all those who have made it. The biggest thing that gets me is making rumors up about the actors sexual preference. I often wonder that if Heath hadn't have gotten together with Michelle and knocked her up on the set of the movie, that he would've been subjected to the same bullshit as Jake has... It wouldn't be the first time either. I know a lot of people in Australia media thought he was gay when he first started acting, what with his posh accent and camp roles *rolls eyes and yawns*..
Oh and speaking of Michelle, there are pictures of her with heartthrob Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe on Pinkisthenewblog.com, *GASP* apparently some dickhead (not Trent because he got it from another site), doesn't know much about Ian or research for that matter, and didn't know that Ian lives in LA, actually 5 minutes down the road from Heath and Michelle... Gee I wonder why they were together.
Neighbours become good friends?
Oh, I don't now. For me, as a straight woman, the whole 'are they/aren't they gay' thing, is, quite simply, an extension of the 'what/who are they/aren't they doing' gossip thing.
It is gossip-worthy when a celebrity dates - and it is more gossip-worthy when a celebrity dates an unlikely candidate. And, if the celeb in question hasn't come out, a same-sex individual is a more unlikely candidate than someone of the opposite sex. Just like dating someone else's man is also extra gossip-worthy (look at Brangelina).
Yeah but the author differentiates the above from another pattern, that of bloggers / gossipmongers who perpetuate and even create sexuality rumors they know are not true, even in the face of the subject saying so. To me that is a different animal altogether and one I can understand a person getting frustrated with (essentially being thought / called a liar, to use the Oprah example). And the author points out the strangeness that it's mostly the gay / bi / lesbian community who do this type of rumormongering of icons like Jake who by all accounts have been supportive of them. So it's a strange thing indeed to turn around and then make up stuff that's designed to cast doubt on someone's integrity, all in the name of starting scandal. That's messed up.
^^^^ To be honest, I think that if Heath hadn't, as you put it, "gotten together with Michelle and knocked her up on the set of the movie", there would have been MORE rumous about him being gay than there are about Jake.
Yes, c, but that's not my problem. I am a) straight, so sans agenda on that front, and b) not the author of any gay-implying blog.
I totally understand Oprah's frustration - she's very articulate and puts it very well.
I guess my point is that this topic is a bit of a non-starter discussion-wise for most of us who don't have that gay-making agenda or are perpetrators of such blogs.
As I just said elsewhere, the media do like to take themselves more seriously than perhaps is structly necessary. I personally prefer to view this aspect of my life as a bit (or a lot, when brit gets going) of fun.
there would have been MORE rumous about him being gay than there are about Jake.
Well, here zoo I can't see as clear as you. Imo, the look of Heath is not so ambiguous, externally, as Jake's. It's funny because sometimes stereotypes are so established in our minds, that we tend to confuse "simple" with "heterosexual" and "complex" or "ambiguous" with gay, that's one point I wanna make.
Perhaps you're right, Kendra - having thought of it I can't back my theory up with anything more than a gut feeling that it would have been the case.
Regarding Ian Thorpe and Michelle. Thorpe is a friend of Heath's so they shouldn't be anything in it.
zoo, I hear ya. For most of us it's completely irrelevant and it should be irrelevant for all of us but I understand that some people like to imagine Jake is bisexual/gay with whomever just like I like to imagine I live in Pemberly with Colin Firth and then maybe Kiera Knightley shows up sometimes and we all drink too much Ginger wine and stuff happens...er, you know, just an escape.
I also see why peeps might want to discuss it as a possibilty/dissect the supposed evidence but want I can't appreciate is people suggesting that Jake is decieving us all - bound by his PR company to live his 'true' life in the shadows.
As the Oprah quote at the beginning of the article says, if she was gay she'd say it. I believe Jake to be the type of person who wouldn't hide something this big purely because he wants to keep his 'fangirls' happy. Alright, I understand it would be very difficult to come out if you were in his position but I don't think he'd stop hanging around with Austin Nichols or purposefully attach himself to random girls just to appease anyone's agenda.
^^^britpop you said it much better than I could.
zoo, I totally agree as spectators that's it's important (nay essential) to not take any of it too seriously. Was just remarking on the love/hate phenomenon I've seen some fans have for the object of our mutual desire. It's practically a spectator sport all its own. ;) Your comment just brought these ruminations to the front of my mind.
One strange thing I couldn't pass by in the BBM Oprah TV interview is the moment in that Jake gives an impression of wanting adding something spontaneously on the talk, but suddenly he laughs and shuts up, that moment made me hesitate about his sexual condition than any gossip column or spandex suits. It leaves me a confusing feeling.
Regarding Ian Thorpe and Michelle. Thorpe is a friend of Heath's so they shouldn't be anything in it.
Oh yeah totally, that's what I was implying by my "Neighbours become good friends" remark.. It was just an example of how gossip comes out of nothing.
:)
^oh soz, didn't get that and I really should have! Now I'll be humming the Neighbours theme tune for an hour or so...;)
"I understand that some people like to imagine Jake is bisexual/gay with whomever just like I like to imagine I live in Pemberly with Colin Firth and then maybe Kiera Knightley shows up sometimes and we all drink too much Ginger wine and stuff happens...er, you know, just an escape.
...what I can't appreciate is people suggesting that Jake is decieving us all - bound by his PR company to live his 'true' life in the shadows."
britpop, i couldn't agree with you more. i never cared so much either regarding speculation on jake's sexuality until the whole thing turned into a speculation on how much jake is using the "PR machine" to deceive his fans and whatnot. that's when i realized i can't reconcile the jake we know (to a degree) and love with this jake who is afraid of being his true self-- and so then i stopped participating in those discussions altogether.
oh, and re: kate b., she is cute in some roles, but needs to eat something NOW. i heart maggie.
that's when i realized i can't reconcile the jake we know (to a degree) and love with this jake who is afraid of being his true self-- and so then i stopped participating in those discussions altogether.
Very well said. Who the hell are we to make any judgments, speculations, whatever, on someone none of us have met? I remember very distinctly when I first learned of the "Toothy Tile" rumors. I was crushed, a) because my own fantasies were at risk, and b) because it meant I had bought into the fabricated image of someone and not that person himself.
It took me a while, but I realized that the whole thing was ridiculous! Jake is an artist and for better or worse, he puts himself vulnerably out in the public eye. The fact that his sexuality has turned in a serious debate with its own subculture (!) based almost exclusively unsubstantiated "evidence" offered by a single gossip-columnist (!) and now has it's own conspiracy theory (!!)... Well, like the author of that article hinted, why are we looking so hard? What has Jake ever done to make us question what he tells us (repeatedly) in black and white terms?
I would go so far as to say it's irresponsible on our parts, as his fans, to get involved. We should be about who Jake says he is, and not who Ted Casablanca says he is.
I would go so far as to say it's irresponsible on our parts, as his fans, to get involved.
Ok, Pg, but I'm afraid that being members of his big fanbase community, we already immerse in this annoying diatribe although we oppose resistance to play the game.
Living in the 4th country in the world in which homosexuals weddings are legal (and adoptions by them too) after Canada, Netherlands and Belgium, with a current 2/3 of Spaniards in favour of gay/lesbians equality and close 50% agreeable with right of them to adopt, I can say homophobia stays latent (In 1973 -a late date-the American Psychiatric Associated voted to eliminate homosexuality from its list of disordered mental conditions), but sometimes I happen to dislike some powerful (or wannabes) showbiz gay guys more than ignorant people who are afraid of gays. Not all gay people are liberal as they want us make to believe, they are sometimes as mean or despicable like another showbiz hetero guys. On a related note, according to Warren J. Blumenfeld, Editor of "Journal of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Identity" most people seem to have a "Bi-affectional" orientation with individuals of both sexes, but the complexity of emotions involved in relationships define finally our choices.
Another thing: After a point, all the joking, rumor speculation and so forth, is meant to be hurtful. It's a form of harassment wherever it comes from. And I DO get angry for Jake's sake, bcz I wonder how many times Jake will be accosted by some total stranger on the street, or be at a party where some one assumes a familiarity that doesn't exist, and have to put up with insults/ comments about his private life. Has he been threatened with violence or worse? Wouldn't surprise me in this inhospitable climate. Jake put up with some pretty insulting and vicious behavior from paps during the promotion of BBM. It seems that some of it took on a life of its own. The thing is, there is no joy in these pronouncements. It's a kind of "Gotcha." As if there is something wrong with being gay and when it's 'proven' that someone is then Gay gossip hens like Perez and Teddy C can sit back and smirk because deep down somewhere they are happy someone is "similarly afflicted." They don't celebrate who they are, so why should anyone else. When someone sets themselves up as some sort of phony paragon of virtue and then gets caught, ala Mel, I have no problem exploding hypocrites and hatemongers. When someone is actively, politically, publically doing things harmful to the well being of others I have no problem exposing their hypocrisy.Lots of actors play gay. I think there's something both political and sinister about the aftermath that's come Jake's way and I think that unfortunately a lot of it is fueled by gays. So essentially, I agree with the article. And part of why I truly adore Beautiful Jake is bcz of his grace, his poise, his courage in taking all this on and just handling it. Don't think I've really added anything new, but thanks for your patience!
One thing I'd like to say on this - and I really, really don't want to fall out with anyone in any way - is that pretty much all fandom, and, by extension, all gossip (whether accurate or grossly, wildly, kindapped-by-aliens inaccurate; whether well-meaning or vicious as vicious can be) is to some extent an intrusion on someone's privacy.
I don't believe the moral high ground is there for us to take anymore. The stable doors were pretty firmly shut behind us by the time we were analysing Jake's body language in the Natalie lunch or bemoaning the lack of pictures following the Tour de France.
Let fierce commentators espouse a view; it is their job, and believe me, any columnist worth their salt could make an equally convincing case for a diametrically opposed position if they so chose (those of you who've ever read la Burchill will know what I'm talking about).
And let us have fun, and enjoy the feelings of warmth, commonality, empathy and brotherhood among us - that is just as much part of the experience as anything else.
*climbs down from soapbox*
kendra said:In 1973 -a late date-the American Psychiatric Associated voted to eliminate homosexuality from its list of disordered mental conditions.
It might have been legally out of that list, but society has its own unwritten laws,unfortunetly. And the struggle with that implies using every method in making its way to the 'normality' list. And in these times, where media and celebrities educate the nations more and more, gay-gossip is seen as a manner to equilibrate a little the audience..but I think they've missed the point..
While the goal is to make people accept it as a natural life-style,why do they make such a big deal to whether a celebrity is gay or not? questioning a celebrity's sexuality makes the head lines and keeps discussions in flames everywhere! This can't lead to natural acceptance and integration, it only leads to more controversy..
Moonbeams, I agree with all you've said, as well. I couldn't say it better.
Now we've sorted that out, who's he dating?
Thank you Moonbeams. I have nothing else to add to your post, I agree with everything you said.
Anonymous said...
Now we've sorted that out, who's he dating?
9:54 AM
me you fool!
:P
Rectification in my previous info: "the American Psychiatric Association" (not Associated!)
Now we've sorted that out, who's he dating?LOL, we're an incorrigible "team" here.
"To be honest, I think that if Heath hadn't, as you put it, "gotten together with Michelle and knocked her up on the set of the movie", there would have been MORE rumous about him being gay than there are about Jake."
I very much disagree.
"I very much disagree."
Ok, anon. I already expressed my disagreement before. Just give us some reasoning about it.
I think DanyelleDillon over at WFT has a little problem with your post, bpb.
I'm 9.54, on the other team - it's called irony :)
Doesn't take much, does it?
Do some people think Heath looks particularly gay or acts particularly gay or something?
I just don't get it.
Jake's got to be telling Andy Towle, a blogger on a tongue-in-cheek
mission to make Jake gay, to get a life.
Ok, this isn't quite fair. I do visit towleroad occasionally, and I don't think Andy has ever been on a mission to make jake anything.
He does blog about jake and jakerelated items alot, (who dosen't these days, I mean the guy is hot!) but never insinuates anything. Rather like trent in pitkb.
From what I've read he's a huge fan of not just Jake but BBM as a whole and was championing BBM as far back as 2003 before Heath and Jake were even cast.
Irony *gasp* :P
Ok, this isn't quite fair. I do visit towleroad occasionally, and I don't think Andy has ever been on a mission to make jake anything.
Yeah, I thought that too. I've only been to Towerload a few times and not seen anything like that.
"Ok, anon. I already expressed my disagreement before. Just give us some reasoning about it."
Well, for anyone who was familiar with Heath (his career, personality, love life etc.) before BBM, just nothing about him points that way. He's always seemed very straight to me. Jake is a little bit harder to read, imo.
Well, for anyone who was familiar with Heath (his career, personality, love life etc.) before BBM, just nothing about him points that way. He's always seemed very straight to me.
I don't think you can write anyone off as being straight/gay/bi/wouldrather
spendtimecrossingstitching. Can you even be 100% sure yourself 100% of the time? Maybe some people can but I can't.
I didn't raise this topic to discuss Jake's sexuality and I certainly can't get on any moral high horse about anything. You can never stop people gossiping or fantasing.
The main sentence that sticks out for me is still this,
But gossiping about influential, gay-supportive celebrities in ways that
question their integrity
It's the accompanying suggestions that come with these rumours.
11:13AM There were gay rumors surronding Heath when he first came to the States. Something about the gay casting couch in Australia or something. And back in Oz there was the same buzz. He dated women in Oz and here as well(Heather Grahm, Naomi Watts) but there were still whispers. It was only when he hooked up with Michelle I stopped hearing about them, but yeah there was gossip. No
So, I really don't intend to add fuel to the fire that appears to be the emerging war between JakeWatch and WFT, but I've wanted to say this for quite some time...It's not just that many of the commenters on WFT are mean-spirited and downright nasty, but the blog itself isn't even that funny. There were a few posts in its early days that elicited chuckles from me, and sometimes there are even some nice posts every once in a while. But then there are the posts where the blogger is clearly trying to be funny, and, well, she's just not. On the other hand, BPB (and PG while she was on here) have repeatedly caused me to shoot water out of my mouth (um, 'cause I was laughing so hard, since that probably doesn't make much since, why I'm shooting water out of my mouth and all...).
Well we can't all be funny all the time. We're human after all.
10:57: Dillon has issues IMO. Hates debate and different opinions. She should just lock her blog and be done with it. She didn't like the article writen by a Gay woman on afterelton.com because she doesn't like what she had to say. Instead of e-mailing the woman, she reads a few posts on JW and decides it's the "fangirls" that are accusing the gays of ruinng Jake's life!! Huh? "fangirls" didn't write that article and if she doesn't like the responses to the article posted here, she and her pals should stop posting/lurking here.
11:27AM They are incapable of having a sense of humor over there. They come off as bitter, angry, paronoid and hateful. I read the most disgusting tirades against Jake's mother there and I haven't visited since. They need to direct there obvious frustration and disapointment elsehere
There's enough room for all Jake fans. Why does it have to be like this? We're no better for not being accepting of other Jake fans.
"I don't think you can write anyone off as being straight/gay/bi/wouldrather
spendtimecrossingstitching. Can you even be 100% sure yourself 100% of the time?"
Well, of course you can't, I thought that was an assumed point. =)
I think that Jake might be bisexual because of his comments in "Out" Magazine where he discussed all the variations between gay and straight. Coming out as a bisexual male though would be difficult as society generally categorizes males as straight or gay with no in between. Women, on the other hand, are allowed to be more fluid in their sexuality which isn't fair.
The gossip issue is complicated. I think the heterosexual majority whose fantasies are constantly catered to should imagine what it would be like if the shoe was on the other foot. And keep in mind that most gay/bi actors still have to hide their sexuality from the public if they want to be cast in films. I absolutely don't believe in outing people, period. But there's a lot more to the issue than is represented in this article.
Thank you, 11:44. This discussion doesn't have to be nasty.
The main sentence that sticks out for me is still this,
But gossiping about influential, gay-supportive celebrities in ways that
question their integrity
It's the accompanying suggestions that come with these rumours.
You hit it right on the head bpb!
I've always felt uncomfortable reconciling these rumors to what public access of his personality we can see.
To maintain a straight (no pun intended) face while declaring that you and your co-star as straight guys found some scenes awkward to do, (as he did on TV, at the toronto film festival) while supposedly maintaing a gay relationship just dosen't sound right to me.
But gossiping about influential, gay-supportive celebrities in ways that question their integrity
Sorry but gay/bi people have to lie to protec themselves. I don't think that a person's integrity comes into it, especially not someone like Jake who is single. Maybe a married woman like Oprah, but then again I believe she is straight.
Forget Jake! Maggie's new film looks great and I am pleased to see that she to has insecurities like the rest of us.
Quote''For so long I was told I wasn't sexy enough or beautiful enough,'' Gyllenhaal recalls. ''It felt confusing and painful.''Unquote
I just want to clarify that in my post (way up yonder), I wasn't trying to use "irresponsible" as a synonym for "immoral." I consider them two entirely different concepts and obviously, none of us can make any moral judgments on becoming personally involved with people in the spotlight (in a fan capacity, of course). For a certain cupcake incident alone, I may be the worst offender of all of us.
I'm just saying, all this is open to interpretation and people oftentimes interpret the same thing two entirely different ways. I personally feel trapped by this discussion because as a Jake fan, I can't get away from it. I don't feel it's responsible of me as a consumer of entertainment "news," to accept information that comes from unsubstantiated (and possibly malicious) sources. And that's all I meant by that. :D
Yay, for Maggie! Lets show some love. Anyone knows if she attended the premiere of World Trade Centre?
And while we are on the subject, Sarsy and Victoria secrets. Wtf??
I know I ought to attempt to say something meanigful in this convo (BTW loved what you said Ms Davenport!!)...but sweet jeezus Sarsy looks freaking hot!!!! He's shaved and looks like he's being working out - there should be a law against him growing a beard, he has such a sweet face.....
11:49AM: Oprah isn't married. I believe she is straight as well as Jake because he has said so as well. The reason IMO that he has since remained silent because it would only bring more attention to the rumors, like Oprah. Hopefully when Zodiac is finally released and he is doing the rounds, he can concentrate on that not BBM. It's time to move on.
Oprah isn't married.
BTW, this issues raised here are general and were not directed to dismiss anyone else's opinions, views or beliefs.
I think the heterosexual majority whose fantasies are constantly catered to should imagine what it would be like if the shoe was on the other foot.
Fantasies are a personal thing created by your own imagination. No one has to cater to them. You should be able to conjure up what you like in your own head.
AND why is no-one alarmed at Sarsy hanging at Victoria Secret's parties in LA. I think we need to focus on the real issues here.
And, yes. GO MAGGIE!!!
Wow, what a long line of anonymouses! I think I'll quote Jake on this one "I guess sexuality is a scary topic because it feeds into everyday life" So sayeth the G. Master of tease.
Yay, for Maggie! Lets show some love. Anyone knows if she attended the premiere of World Trade Centre?
And while we are on the subject, Sarsy and Victoria secrets. Wtf??
"To maintain a straight (no pun intended) face while declaring that you and your co-star as straight guys found some scenes awkward to do, (as he did on TV, at the toronto film festival) while supposedly maintaing a gay relationship just dosen't sound right to me."
This is true, and if Jake is gay (I personally don't think he is) we'd all have to admit that he's quite the liar. It would be very disappointing considering some of the things he's said in interviews and the lengths he would be going to to maintain that image solely to help his movie career and keep his popularity with female fans. I'd be pretty disappointed myself as I prefer to see Jake as an honest and forthright person.
I also think a person's integrity does come into it sometimes. It's one thing to be in the closet and to be in denial, have an unaccepting conservative family and so forth, but it's another thing to have everyone in your life know you're gay (which I think would have to be the case here) and to only stay in the closet to further your career, which I think would also have to be the case here if Jake was indeed gay.
Brits, you're right. What the hell, Sarsy? I so do not approve.
LOl appologies for the double entry.
B*ll*cks to where he is,....start focusing on how freaking hot he is looking!!
EDIT: He (Sarsy) better comes back home with a whole make-up, perfume and lingerie supply!
Wtbgirl, I completely agree... I cannot believe someone who is gay would find it ethically correct to try to out other people. It should know better. Even if he himself is openly gay and has never had a problem coming out, I cannot believe how unsensitive to other people he is. Sort of disgusting really. As for that WFT blog I can just say that if Danyelle does not like or agree with the content of this blog, she should just go somewhere else. She would just be following her very own advise, after all.
Danyelle hasn't come here and she has made it clear has no problem with JW. So no need to take her own ADVICE, and I don't think WFT is INSENSITIVE. just another perspective. If you don't agree with it, then move aside and let someone who does through.
Thank you very much.
I fail to see this whole "liar" issue, if he were to ever make contradictory comments on something as personal as his sexual orientation. The only person(s) that should be allowed that reaction are those he chooses to be intimate with.
Why not just appreciate the work he puts out? If you are interested in his daily activities, that's fine. Whether it's a fantasy about going through his sock drawer, watching him balance things in a godlike manner, cycling (if you are one of the few that has a creepy thing for spandex), carrying Boo around as if that dog was crippled, surfing or whatever. However, if you chose to have an interest in his personal life, then just be grateful for the bits and pieces he opens up about.
The reality is that the majority of us will never know him on a personal level (yes BPB and PG are part of the lucky few). So really our fantasies don't have to mirror any reality. When do they ever, isn't the point of a fantasy personal enjoyment or escape. To me it doesn't matter what he is, or what he'll be in the future. He's still and will always be the actor that gave us "October Sky", "Donnie Darko", "The Good Girl" and "BBM" to name a few.
He doesn't cheat any of his fans by who he chooses to sleep with. He's an actor, so we should foremost appreciate him for his work. If his work sucks, and he goes around saying how amazing his latest film is, then you can feel he cheated you out of the ticket price. He’s not married so yes he’s on the market, and it might feel nice to know that you might have that 1 in a billion shot with him. As if some how he has confirmed that by stating his female preference.
We are all here because we have our own connection, and let’s just enjoy that. While Jake may seem to be a miracle worker at times he can't live up to everyone's fantasy all the time.
That's what I love about this site; it caters to everyone's wants and desires. As just look at BPB's bingo board and see the diversity of Jake that we get exposed to here. Not to mention the hilarious commentary, and the camaraderie of loyal readers.
People will write what they want, and if it deals with Jake, I'll probably read it. But short of coming out as a bigoted child molester I have no plans of thinking less of Jake than I do now.
What going on here my fellow Pussy's i leave you for over a day and i find everyone has written essays in the comment section!
^^^ Damn you and your rain. If I could only be so lucky...
"Why not just appreciate the work he puts out?"
Oh, come on, let's be honest at least. If fans *just* appreciated the work he puts out this blog would have no place. And to say that some people here wouldn't be disappointed that Jake was dishonest about his sexuality is just not realistic.
1:43 Dillon does lurk here and quite often. She doesn't like this blog but she can't delete comments like her own blor. She is very childish and immature.
"If you become a famous person you "must" share your most intimate life?"
I don't think anyone was saying one should. What was being said is that if you're "going" to "offer" up information about your sexuality it would be nice if it was honest information. So hopefully it is.
1:43 Dillon does lurk here and quite often. She doesn't like this blog but she can't delete comments like her own blor. She is very childish and immature.
^^well said.same thought.she can't delete comments like her own blog.
How can the information be honest when you're in the discovery process? Maybe one day you feel, "yeah, I'm not into my sex" then the next, you're like, "wow, I really want this guy." It's not that simple and factor other detractions and it becomes quite complicated.
5:23, I'm not sure that was well said. like Danyelle, like BPB, like WFT, like JW. Nothing wrong with that.
Just wanted to say.
5:44, I like this blog and nice, mature people here. but the other one? no.
just wanted to say and thanks for sharing.
Oh, Jake, if you were not so damnably beautiful, and in such an interesting place in your career, where you could develop in interesting directions ...
I'd give you up, and daydream at some other attractive young male actors. Because, frankly, all the debate about your sexual preferences gives me **such** a headache.
Just search for "Casablanca"+"Gyllenhaal" & look at the astonishing number of hits you get on Google.
It's part of Jake's lore and will always be a subject whenever his name arises.
5:44 here and I think it's pretty immature to say something is immature just because you disagree with it.
When you don't get the gay rumor, that's when you should worry. It's par for the course everybody gets it.
Also, I dont' really know what Jake feels about the whole gay thing but Austin Nichols needs to thank his lucky damn stars because he went from a serviceable if forgetable young actor to this intriguing internet celeb with the rumors about he and Jakey being more than friends.
Also Sarsy looks delish in that photo.
I know it is a serious film, but why hasn't anyone come up with a caption for maggie in that photo?
hyrstenia? piles?? constipation???
I’ve been hanging around here for a couple of weeks now, enjoying the comments and observations which have been voiced – most have given me a great deal of amusement, there certainly are some witty people contributing here!
I wouldn’t have normally posted anything, but this discussion really hit home and is something I feel the need to add my opinion too.
Now I’m going to label myself, not something I’m comfortable doing but I suppose it will help define my perspective. I am a bisexual man; I realised that about 8 years ago, but only admitted it to myself quite recently. In fact that’s sort of why I found this site, it was Jakes performance in BBM that made me face up to my own demons – but that’s a whole other discussion.
All this talk of “is Jake; isn’t Jake” – why does it matter? Sure we will all have our own little fantasies from time to time, but that’s all they are – innocent little daydreams.
When I was growing up the “gay” label was used as an insult – we through it round like snowballs in wintertime, and I was as guilty as the next person. We were kids and didn’t really know any better, but the sad fact is that is carried with us into adulthood, fuelling that prejudice that previous posters have made reference too.
We love Jakes work; we love the person he appears to be from the glimpse of his life that we are fortunate enough to see. His sexuality is a part of that person that we have grown to love and respect, but it doesn’t define him – nor should it. I don’t care if he is gay, straight or somewhere in between, he’s a damn fine actor and appears to be a good hearted person too.
So I don’t like the labels, even though I’ve been guilty of using them in the past. Because of the prejudice they create it took me 8 years to accept myself, it is no wonder people feel that they have to hide an element of who they are. I really look forward to a time when we can use just the one label to define ourselves, where we all belong to the one group – Humanity.
We seem to be headed in that direction, slowly but we are moving. That much is clear from the posts on this site – Race, Religion, Sexuality, Age are all irrelevant, what counts is the person. If the world were made up of only Jake Watch members, it would be a far more open and accepting place!
Not very eloquently put in know, but for what its worth, my honest feeling on the subject.
Thanks, anon, 2:03. Your post was very well put. And very moving.
I agree. People's sexuality shouldn't define them. It is only part of who they are and what they are about. Interestingly, Russell Crowe, who played a young gay man in The Sum of Us, said those exact words sometime later. He said he's much rather know what is in a person's heart than how they chose to express their sexuality. As far as Jake goes, He has said he is straight. I have no reason to believe that a young man who has conducted himself with such integrity, who's work has been so courageous and honest, would lie. In the absense of any facts to the contrary, I take him at his word. His public behavior, his interest in articulating his political and social beliefs are grounded in principlesI admire. I think the continued speculation is foolish and not meant as a compliment, but it is meant to do harm. it is one thing to wish or to fantasize about someone we admire. It is entirely a different matter to grasp at wispy threads of imagined 'evidence' and conclude that someone is cowardly or dishonest or rationalize their imagined evasiveness as a period of discovery. I think it is passed the time for discussion. The horse is dead, y'all. Let it be. I truly hope I haven't offended anyone, but i am well and truly sick of this topic.
You aren't gay until you're photographed going out with George Michael anyway :P
I'm not a very good judge here since I am bisexual and think everyone is sexy and attractive in their own way - I generally have a hard time understanding people who like only ONE sex *lol*
I (naively) never meant for this to turn into a debate about whether or whether not Jake is gay/bi/straight/wouldratherbecrossingstitching but it inevitably has.
Of course it doesn't matter and of course it's none of our beeswax. It doesn't owe us anything (apart from that striptease with the fresh produce) and he doesn't have to reiterate his comments about anything.
I just think that article had some interesting points about how these rumours have been dealt with in the blogging/net community. As far as I know the gay rumours aren't even mainstream gossip, it seems to be confined to places on the net so maybe Jake is quite unawares. Whatever people like to think his 'people' are not checking out the techincally 'underground' world of blogs and monitoring everything that is said about him.
I've forgotten my point, I'm going for a brew.
And anon 2.03am, please feel free to join in more. It becomes even more addictive that way ;)
See what I found more interesting about the article is the part that mentioned the following because I've seen a lot of people get really pissed off by those who feel he could be bi/gay and I don't think it's a big deal at all to question it and think there is that possibility:
"I think we have to be very careful in answering those questions, because it's easy to make mountains out of molehills. The rumors insinuate that stars are gay, not axe murderers...In light of his DUI last week and his anti-Semitic and expletive-laced rant during his arrest, Mel Gibson would probably admit that he would rather have been caught singing “I'll Be Good For You” with Lance Bass on Hollywood Boulevard. My bet is that even he'd agree that being suspected of being gay would be less harmful to his career than being proven a vulgar, sexist, Jew-hating drunk."
Personally I do think that Jake is bisexual. Now whether that's true or not remains to be seen but I honestly don't see any difference in discussing the possibility of him liking men compared to the other discussions about his love life that go on. Why is thinking that he could be dating a man any different than thinking he's dating Natalie Portman or any of the other women he's been linked to. The AfterElton article was making a few different points and it actually seemed to come to a few different conclusions in that the writer recognized that gay rumors could affect those that are being rumored about in several different ways. Some celebs may get angry about it but others seem to find it no big deal and until Jake reacts otherwise, he doesn't seem to be bothered by it at all (unlike someone like Tom Cruise for instance). Not to forget that the writer of that article also wouldn't know what Jake's sexuality is for sure any more than we would.
Now to use the Lance Bass example for a moment. My friend met him in NY about two years ago. He introduced her and her friends to his "girlfriend". Even in his coming out article, he talked about loving women and all that. When my friend told me about meeting him in NY, I told her that I thought he was gay and she insisted he wasn't because of the girlfriend and she said "why would he lie". I didn't want to give the no-brainer answer about how he was in the closet and that's exactly why he would so I just let it go. But that is an issue and I don't judge people for wanting to stay in the closet but that doesn't mean I'm not going to still speculate about it.
Responding to two separate people here:
Whatever people like to think his 'people' are not checking out the techincally 'underground' world of blogs and monitoring everything that is said about him.
Actually, though I don't personally work for a celebrity, I am in the public relations field and I have met other PR agents at the PRSA get-togethers who do work for celebs. Pretty much every PR agent worth their salary is going to spend hours checking over internet blogs for commentary on their client (or if they don't do it personally, an assistant or associate will). In this day and age, that's been the more used method of getting public opinion than polls and whatnot. So I wouldn't be surprised for a second if Jake's PR staff not only knew full well about the rumors and various sites but have also discussed them with him. Now I don't personally buy into the belief that his PR people are doctoring photos and things like that but I do think they are aware of it and that they have probably even put forth their ideas on what to do about it. Now whether Jake takes the advice or even has his own ideas on it is up for debate. Of course, that would also highly depend on what rumors are true and what aren't.
It is entirely a different matter to grasp at wispy threads of imagined 'evidence' and conclude that someone is cowardly or dishonest or rationalize their imagined evasiveness as a period of discovery.
Well I think that any celebrity rumors rest on wispy threads of evidence. As has been mentioned before, they seemingly have Jake and Natalie partnered up with very little evidence at all except for a couple of pictures. Unless we know the celeb personally or that celeb comments on it, then we really don't know anything for sure. I think Jake has given enough ambiguous comments that those alone would be enough to make people wonder "what if". As for being "cowardly" or "dishonest", I don't believe that at all. There are enough factors involved that this isn't the conclusion I would come to in that being in the closet is such a complicated issue. For instance, if the rumors are true, then Jake has an enormous pressure on his back just on the coming out issue not to mention what would happen afterwards. If "ordinary" gay men (as in non-celebs) have enough circumstances to convince them to remain closeted, then Jake has even more. I also think that the idea of him being dishonest is up for debate. Because sexuality can be complicated, he might not even know for sure how he feels about things which would create problems when answering questions about it. Then there's the idea of how dishonest is someone who is closeted allowed to be? Because if a closeted gay man is asked a direct question than to decide not to answer it will be almost just as much of an admission as flat out saying he's gay. So he may end up feeling like he had to lie. I don't hold that against someone and I would hope others wouldn't either. Like the article even said, Tom Cruise is one thing because he's been so angry acting towards the rumors so his lies would be a huge deal. But if Jake were to come out, it'd be less so because he was more ambiguous about his answers. I think some people may be holding him up on a much higher plane which seems to be a lot of pressure in itself. I wouldn't be surprised if any actor isn't completely honest in their answers and I don't think Jake is someone who would never lie if he felt like he had to.
Pretty much every PR agent worth their salary is going to spend hours checking over internet blogs for commentary on their client (or if they don't do it personally, an assistant or associate will).
Well, I can tell you for a fact that his PR people had no idea the ruckus that was caused by the "All the soldiers did in the Gulf War was masturbate" "quote."
Jake's own official site linked to the ridiculous stories, and his PR people seemed totally flummoxed by them.
Also, one look at his official site and you'll see that his PR people should pay more attention. The news links always have less-than-ideal PR stories like the one I mentioned above. It's basically an RSS feed of anything that mentions Jake's name.
I've always appreciated Jake's nonchalant handling of the gay rumors. He doesn't seem to care, despite the fact that so many other people seem to care about little else. I have to laugh at all the protestations that it wouldn't be a big deal if Jake really were gay, when almost every mention of his name on the internet evokes a litany of juvenile jokes about "butt secks" or a chorus of "Gay!" posts.
The longer we go with no new film announcements for him, the more concerned I get about all this noise.
Actually, though I don't personally work for a celebrity, I am in the public relations field and I have met other PR agents at the PRSA get-togethers who do work for celebs. Pretty much every PR agent worth their salary is going to spend hours checking over internet blogs for commentary on their client (or if they don't do it personally, an assistant or associate will).
Puh-lease. I don't believe this with Jake's official site being evidence as anon above stated.
I suppose you could argue they check out Perez or some of the other major sites but as far as I know they aren't knocking about this area of the woods. SiteMeter is my friend.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/06/fashion/06gay.html
Take a look at this..it seems this issue is seriously being discussed.
Gay media watchers regard Mr. Gyllenhaal, who fielded questions about his sexual orientation after his starring role as a gay cowboy in “Brokeback Mountain,” as a model for the right approach.
Fascinating article. Leave it to Jake to lead the way in class.
Jake's own official site linked to the ridiculous stories, and his PR people seemed totally flummoxed by them.
Did they comment on it somewhere so that you know this "for a fact"? I'd also add that the one rumor about the soldier comment Jake made taken out of context would be a completely different thing than them being in the dark about all the gay rumors. Seriously only amateur PR people wouldn't know about the gay rumors given that not only are countless internet blogs writing about it but it's even been hinted at in various newspaper articles.
The news links always have less-than-ideal PR stories like the one I mentioned above. It's basically an RSS feed of anything that mentions Jake's name.
Nowadays PR people are very much linked up on the internet as far as how their clients are mentioned. Just because less than ideal PR stories get out, doesn't mean that the PR people aren't aware of these stories. Sometimes they don't find out until it's too late and other times they let it slip through because it's not a horrible comment all things considering. But more often than not they are at least aware, before or after the fact is another issue.
Puh-lease. I don't believe this with Jake's official site being evidence as anon above stated.
I suppose you could argue they check out Perez or some of the other major sites but as far as I know they aren't knocking about this area of the woods. SiteMeter is my friend.
I'm sorry Britpop but that seems to me to be a very naive way to look at the PR people in charge of him. It's their JOB to check out this stuff. They're almost like obsessed fans in a way in that their job is to check out the internet to see what people are saying about their client. It's the same if it's a celeb, a company, or a product. Nowadays, you would be a very bad PR person if you didn't make sure to keep close tabs on the internet gossip. Most PR people even sign up for things like "google alerts" just to keep an eye on news both in articles and in blogs that will pop up. Like I said, they don't always stop negative gossip but more often than not they will be aware. The gay rumors about Jake are well known on LOTS of gossip sites both high and low profile ones. As I mentioned before, even articles have hinted or joked about the rumors. If Jake and his PR honestly didn't know about these rumors then his PR are NOT doing their job. At a company like CAA who is used to working for celebs, I find that unlikely.
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