Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/87061
hiding something." And in the music industry, recording artists across the spectrum are similarly finding ways to navigate a career while leading lives that are authentic and honest. In 2009, Adam Lambert came out during a Rolling Stone interview saying, "I need to be able to explain myself in context." A few months later, in March 2010, singer-actor Ricky Martin posted a simple statement on his website, calling himself a "fortunate homosexual man," while country singer Chely Wright made the choice to come out two months later with a major publicity blitz. But no matter how one chooses to break the news, coming out remains a difficult, oſten anguishing, decision for public figures — likely the toughest decision of their lives. Members of the SAG-AFTRA National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Committee understand the difficulty of making that decision. "We know that coming out remains a deeply personal decision, and despite how casual it may seem to some, we know that the decision to be an out performer is is observed annually on OCT. 11 Coming Out Day NATIONAL by those who are LGBT along with straight allies and relatives. For info visit hrc.org deeply courageous," said co-chair Jason Stuart. "Being out remains our most powerful weapon to fight bigotry, and performers who are out bring context of who we are to those who may not realize they know someone gay." The SAG-AFTRA National tested about five years ago by Frasier's David Hyde Pierce, Grey's Anatomy's T.R. Knight and How I Met Your Mother's Neil Patrick Harris, followed by The New Adventures of Old Christine's Wanda Sykes, who came out at a 2008 rally for marriage equality. "What was impossible 60 years ago and a trend of coming out in understated fashion that was field- Entertainment Weekly writer Mark Harris sees opportunities for LGBT performers in all areas of the entertainment and news media. discrimination in the workplace, and to organize new work LGBT Committee exists to support LGBT union members, works to combat themselves fully visible," wrote Cooper in his coming-out letter. "There continue to be far too many incidences of bullying of young people, as well as discrimination and violence against people of all ages, based on their sexual orientation, and I in which they're delivered. But the stories matter more than even those who tell them may realize." "[W]hile as a society we are moving toward greater inclusion and equality for all people, the tide of history only advances when people make dangerous 40 years ago and difficult 20 years ago is now becoming no big deal," wrote Harris in an extraordinary EW essay about out members such as Cynthia Nixon, Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Glee's Jane Lynch and Chris Colfer. "If each announcement seems slightly less important than the one before, that's as intentional as the 'Oh, by the way…' style In Action … 24 SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2012 | SAGAFTRA.org The SAG-AFTRA National LGBT Committee sponsored events at two recent film festivals: As part of NewFest in New York, A Conversation with Charles Busch was hosted by theater columnist Michael Riedel (above left) on July 29; during Outfest in Los Angeles, a Schmoozefest mixer (left) on July 13 welcomed SAG-AFTRA members and crews from Outfest films, such as, from left, actor-director-writer Jonathan Lisecki (Gayby), producer Zeke Farrow (Gayby) and director Quentin Lee (White Frog). The committee also will have a presence at the Pride at Work convention in Cleveland in September. Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images