With the words "I am a gay woman",
progressive radio host and comedienne Stephanie Miller publicly came
out lesbian on her radio show, Friday. Explaining that she has been
out to friends, family, and co-workers for years, Miller said that
she had recently reached her personal “tipping point” in coming
out to her listeners, given the number and importance of gay-related
issues currently in the public eye. She had grown concerned about
her ability to speak on issues such as DOMA, DADT, and Prop 8
“authentically”, without also sharing this part of her life.
Opening up about her personal
experience, Miller said it had taken her fifteen years to come out to
family and friends. She also stated that she has been attracted to
men, and even in love with them. But she has grown to “feel more
comfortable in a relationship with women”. She expressed concern
that some on the Right may try to cite her experience to promote the
idea that sexual orientation is a choice. But she rejected that idea
strongly, stating that in the “continuum” of sexual orientation,
many people are simply born gay or bi, just as others are born
straight.
Miller credited openly-lesbian country
singer Chely Wright, with whom she has become good friends in recent
months, with inspiring her to come out publicly. She said that it
was discussions with Wright which convinced her that when it comes to
being gay, “It’s different to be ‘for that’ than to say ‘you
are that’.”
Miller – affectionately called “Mama”
by many of her listeners – has always been vocally and
enthusiastically pro-gay, both on her show and in public appearances.
In fact, she served as grand marshal of West LA’s Pride Parade in
2008.
After Friday’s announcement, much of
Miller's show was taken up with supportive calls from well-wishers –
including Chely Wright herself – as well as tweets and e-mails from
some of Miller's friends, including Cassandra Peterson (television's
Elvira) and fellow progressive radio host Randi Rhodes.
The Stephanie Miller Show airs 6 - 9 AM
Pacific Time (9 AM - 12 Noon Eastern Time), M-F on radio stations
across the United States, and can also be heard online at
StephanieMiller.com.