Country music star Chely Wright and
actor Hal Sparks were among the stars congratulating Stephanie
Miller for coming out gay.
Miller, the host of her own syndicated
radio program, The Stephanie Miller Show, told her listeners
on Friday, “I am a gay woman,” and a few moments later, “I got
the gay on me.”
The 48-year-old comedienne-radio
personality has always been an enthusiastic supporter of the gay
community, but said she had reached her personal “tipping point”
and wanted to speak out on gay rights issues – such as “Don't
Ask, Don't Tell” and gay marriage – “authentically.”
Miller credited Wright, who
only recently came out lesbian, for inspiring her to do the same.
“My coming out coach,” Miller –
affectionately called “Mama” by many of her listeners – said in
welcoming Wright to her show. The two women have become good friends
in recent months.
“You're saving lives and changing
lives by stepping into your truth and I'm so proud of you,” Wright
told Miller.
Actor Hal Sparks, who played gay in the
role of Michael Novotny on Showtime's groundbreaking drama Queer
as Folk, tweeted his congratulations: “Congrats to my dear,
dear friend Stephanie Miller for her brave and important step
forward. You're awesome.”
Other well-wishers included Cassandra
Peterson (television's Elvira) and fellow progressive radio host
Randi Rhodes.