Straight women, were/are you aware that Jodie Foster is gay?

[MNUse]

Been mildly curious about this for a while. I’m a gay woman and my loving well-meaning mother will occasionally make slightly clumsy attempts to bring up gay films or famous gay women that she assumes I must be interested in because they are also gay (e.g. Ellen Page as was). But she has never mentioned Jodie Foster, and although I haven’t tested it I get the impression she isn’t aware, maybe partly because although JF is now ten years married to a woman she has never quite made the big ‘I am gay’ speech.

AIBU to think a lot of straight women still haven’t really noticed that Jodie Foster is gay? And, if I’m wrong, when did you become aware?

YABU - I know, I’ve known for ages, yawn

YANBU - I didn’t know, or didn’t know until very recently, but anyway, yawn

OBVIOUSLY what matters is her acting, but I am mildly curious about what causes someone’s gayness to register/not register with the wider public

I have known it for many years, I read or saw it in TV somewhere.

I think reporters and some in the gay community wanted her to address this in the 90s but she refused. Good for her. She’s a powerhouse.

Yes but not sure why I know. I know she has never played the Hollywood game and doesn't court publicity at all.

I think she officially "came out" 2013 but for some reason I feel like it was an open secret. I think I knew when the Hannibal film came out. I don't remember any particular big discussion about it at the time.

Who cares?

I've known for a long time, she's a fascinating woman and I remember going through a period of wanting to watch all of her films. She's fluent in 4 other languages (excluding English of course) and is said to have a very high IQ. I think prior to her wife she was with a woman for at least as long as I've been alive (early 90s)?

I cannot think of a time I didn’t know this.

Gay people, homophobes, and people who like celebrity gossip. HTH.

I’ve known for many years. She’s very attractive too and I’m more or less straight

I remember reading it somewhere a few years ago.

She came out years ago at an awards ceremony. I think it's great that you didn't know, because hopefully it's a sign how we are slowly starting to accept people for who they are, not labelling them in some way.

Silence of the Lambs is well worth a rewatch by the way. Amazing film and she is incredible in it.

She’s always struck me as being a fascinating woman. The roles she has had, the ones she’s chosen. So charismatic. I don’t really pay a lot of attention to media stuff, but she shone out from very young.

Yes, I know/knew. I have no idea when I 'found out' because I don't think it was ever a big deal so it didn't really register.

I heard years ago i think but don't remember specifically. I know she doesn't do media stuff and keeps herself private which I really admire.

Yes and doesn't she have a,long term partner with whom she has children?

I didn’t know, it had never occurred to me to think about it tbh. I have trouble enough keeping on top of who is dead or alive!

I also knew this.

Like PP it was years ago. She’s a great actress - the film she did the rape seen was a really interesting film.

Jodie is great at just being whoever she wants to be and just getting on with it.

I do get what your mums doing. I’m a white woman. I bring my sister and Indian husband into any conversation with any Asian person. I can hear myself doing it. It’s such twatish behaviour on my part. It’s my way of saying im not racist without wearing a t shirt saying the same thing.

Your mums just trying to get on your level in a very clumsy but well meaning way.

The genius of Jodie Foster's speech | Jodie Foster | The Guardian

She did a very famous acknowledgement of her sexuality in 2013 at the golden globes so yes, I've known a decade.
The speech itself is a coming out-not actually coming out speech.
It's broken down here.

It's fair enough that she is and was entitled to a private, personal life and doesn't/didn't have to be a role model/poster girl for lesbians.

Andrew Scott recently said "openly gay" was an annoying phrase. He's not wrong.

I have been aware of this for a long time, yes.

This.

Sweeping generalisation of gay men there.

Yes, I’ve known for years and couldn’t care less. HTH.

I knew she was gay. But I agree that there has never been much fanfare around it. She is just such a wondedfully grounded and self-sufficient person who doesn't get involved in the celebosphere gossip treadmill.
It makes me happpy just to think of her existing. Such a talented and wise person, who has navigated her way around child stardom and lifelong fame with such dignity and integrity.