http://outfrontblog.com/2006/11/should-the-pr-industry-be-helping-celebrities-overcome-the-fear-of-%e2%80%9ccoming-out%e2%80%9d-rather-than-keeping-them-%e2%80%9cin-the-closet%e2%80%9d.html The Full Spectrum of LGBT Communications Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:45:36 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://outfrontblog.com/2006/11/should-the-pr-industry-be-helping-celebrities-overcome-the-fear-of-%e2%80%9ccoming-out%e2%80%9d-rather-than-keeping-them-%e2%80%9cin-the-closet%e2%80%9d.html/comment-page-1#comment-530 Colm Howard-Lloyd Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:22:13 +0000 http://outfrontblog.com/2006/11/should-the-pr-industry-be-helping-celebrities-overcome-the-fear-of-%e2%80%9ccoming-out%e2%80%9d-rather-than-keeping-them-%e2%80%9cin-the-closet%e2%80%9d/#comment-530 I think you've made the classic error here. The discussion is about "being" not "doing". It never ceases to amuse me when people enrage themselves about a sexual act. This is about sexuality and identity not sexual intercourse. I think you’ve made the classic error here.
The discussion is about “being” not “doing”. It never ceases to amuse me when people enrage themselves about a sexual act. This is about sexuality and identity not sexual intercourse.

]]> http://outfrontblog.com/2006/11/should-the-pr-industry-be-helping-celebrities-overcome-the-fear-of-%e2%80%9ccoming-out%e2%80%9d-rather-than-keeping-them-%e2%80%9cin-the-closet%e2%80%9d.html/comment-page-1#comment-529 Lana Tue, 26 Jun 2007 12:58:29 +0000 http://outfrontblog.com/2006/11/should-the-pr-industry-be-helping-celebrities-overcome-the-fear-of-%e2%80%9ccoming-out%e2%80%9d-rather-than-keeping-them-%e2%80%9cin-the-closet%e2%80%9d/#comment-529 Cliff is supposed to be a Christian and as the Bible is against immoral things and it is against sex outside of marriage then I don't think Cliff would be doing immoral things. If he is doing them then he is not a real Christian he is a hypocrite. Cliff is supposed to be a Christian and as the Bible is against immoral things and it is against sex outside of marriage then I don’t think Cliff would be doing immoral things. If he is doing them then he is not a real Christian he is a hypocrite.

]]> http://outfrontblog.com/2006/11/should-the-pr-industry-be-helping-celebrities-overcome-the-fear-of-%e2%80%9ccoming-out%e2%80%9d-rather-than-keeping-them-%e2%80%9cin-the-closet%e2%80%9d.html/comment-page-1#comment-528 Colm Howard-Lloyd Mon, 20 Nov 2006 10:50:31 +0000 http://outfrontblog.com/2006/11/should-the-pr-industry-be-helping-celebrities-overcome-the-fear-of-%e2%80%9ccoming-out%e2%80%9d-rather-than-keeping-them-%e2%80%9cin-the-closet%e2%80%9d/#comment-528 It is a similar issue for lottery winners who naively believe they can opt to stay anonymous. There is little more chance of someone in the public view (especially one whose work involves alcohol-based social events) completely concealing their sexuality; than hiding a £1.5m win from your neighbours. Cliff Richard's sexuality, for example, is a poorly kept "secret". Being prepared gives all involved the change to manage and, as far as possible, lead the process. Max Clifford may be proud of his style of total-control PR, but this creates PRODUCTS not PEOPLE, and is often a conduit to a multitude of personality and dependency problems. For me the whole concept of "coming out" is something I hoping will become redundant. I've never wanted to be special or different. W can do a lot to make being gay a non-issue, although of course there is a double edged sword here - we want to provide positive role models, but the fact that they are gay is a nice "added extra" to someone that is a success in their field. It should never be the level to success as it has sometimes been. It is a similar issue for lottery winners who naively believe they can opt to stay anonymous.
There is little more chance of someone in the public view (especially one whose work involves alcohol-based social events) completely concealing their sexuality; than hiding a £1.5m win from your neighbours.
Cliff Richard’s sexuality, for example, is a poorly kept “secret”.
Being prepared gives all involved the change to manage and, as far as possible, lead the process. Max Clifford may be proud of his style of total-control PR, but this creates PRODUCTS not PEOPLE, and is often a conduit to a multitude of personality and dependency problems.
For me the whole concept of “coming out” is something I hoping will become redundant. I’ve never wanted to be special or different. W can do a lot to make being gay a non-issue, although of course there is a double edged sword here – we want to provide positive role models, but the fact that they are gay is a nice “added extra” to someone that is a success in their field. It should never be the level to success as it has sometimes been.

]]> http://outfrontblog.com/2006/11/should-the-pr-industry-be-helping-celebrities-overcome-the-fear-of-%e2%80%9ccoming-out%e2%80%9d-rather-than-keeping-them-%e2%80%9cin-the-closet%e2%80%9d.html/comment-page-1#comment-527 John Whiteside Thu, 09 Nov 2006 15:27:53 +0000 http://outfrontblog.com/2006/11/should-the-pr-industry-be-helping-celebrities-overcome-the-fear-of-%e2%80%9ccoming-out%e2%80%9d-rather-than-keeping-them-%e2%80%9cin-the-closet%e2%80%9d/#comment-527 I think it's the difference between a good PR pro, and a "publicist" (which to me always makes me think, "lackey," fairly or not). A pro will sit down with the client and talk about strategies. At some point there should be a conversation something like this: "I know you don't want to deal with this, but your sexual orientation is an issue and we have to have a plan. Here are some options..." ... and those options would include intense hiding, a "crisis plan" for an unexpected revelation, and coming out at the time of one's choosing - all with their pros and cons. If a PR person is representing a closeted celebrity and doesn't have the crisis plan in place for the day the news hits, he or she is not doing a good job! Even if the dynamics of the relationship don't allow the kind of frank discussion I'm talking about, if you know your client, you know what issues might come up, and you really ought to have given them some advance thought. The publicist who engages in avoidance is doing nobody - particularly the client - any great favor. Proactivity is key. I think it’s the difference between a good PR pro, and a “publicist” (which to me always makes me think, “lackey,” fairly or not).
A pro will sit down with the client and talk about strategies. At some point there should be a conversation something like this:
“I know you don’t want to deal with this, but your sexual orientation is an issue and we have to have a plan. Here are some options…”
… and those options would include intense hiding, a “crisis plan” for an unexpected revelation, and coming out at the time of one’s choosing – all with their pros and cons.
If a PR person is representing a closeted celebrity and doesn’t have the crisis plan in place for the day the news hits, he or she is not doing a good job! Even if the dynamics of the relationship don’t allow the kind of frank discussion I’m talking about, if you know your client, you know what issues might come up, and you really ought to have given them some advance thought.
The publicist who engages in avoidance is doing nobody – particularly the client – any great favor. Proactivity is key.

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