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

Well, she clearly doesn't use her sexuality or 'gender identity' (🙄) as a substitute for talent and a personality, like so many people in the public eye. She just happens to be same-sex attracted in the way some people have red hair or are left-handed, it's just part of who she is and she doesn't feel the need to make an issue out of it.

I don't think I actually knew for definite until this thread but from childhood I always thought on some level she was an unconventional choice for a female romantic lead when cast opposite a man...so maybe on some level I knew?!

Doesn't make any difference to me...I don't think I pay much attention to female celebrities' sexuality.

And yet you clicked on the thread, and commented on it.

She's never made a secret of it. I don't remember her ever not being gay.

I also agree that nobody cares, really.

Yeah I’ve known for years. I read it somewhere. She’s a fantastic actor.

Yes, and answered the question the OP asked. Is that OK with you? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I'm about the same age as her and have always known. Never been told, never read about it, never saw her 'coming out', but yes - as a 'straight' woman, I knew.

And, to add to that, I find the women I most admire and find attractive are gay! Strong women are always a turn on!

She really is incredible, definitely my favourite actor ❤

Yes, she had two sons. It was openly known she was gay way before she did the speech!!

I think I’ve just always known she was gay. I don’t remember how I know.

She’s fabulous.

Known for years. Great actress.

I was aware but couldn’t remember if she was actually out or not, as opposed to just everyone assuming she was gay.

YABU - I thought everyone knew?

Yes of course it is - thanks for asking. Just odd to claim to not have a scrap of interest in celebrities, and then click on a thread about one, and comment on it, and to say how soooooooo not interested you are in celebrities. Just a bit weird. (And a teeny bit attention-seeking ... )

So desperate to tell people how NOT interested you are in celebrities, by commenting on a thread about a celebrity. 😆 Irony at its finest!

/

I mean it has zero bearing on the fact she is an AMAZING actress and comes across as a really funny down to earth woman but yes it’s very well known that she’s gay

Same for me. I've always liked her as an actress but I've never known anything about her private life.

It's been common knowledge for years hasn't it? I read it somewhere I can't remember where though.

To all the people who think they’re showing how open minded or high minded they are by posting ‘who cares’. What you’re actually showing is that you’ve had the luxury of never knowing what it feels like to be pressured to be silent about what should be a really straightforward aspect of your life. To search for signs of any other people, famous or not famous, who are like you and have dared to be honest about it, so you can find the courage and confidence to be honest yourself. And to mostly not find them, because they, like you, have been pressured into staying silent.

If you’re a straight woman with kids on mumsnet, you’re probably here because you wanted to connect with other (mostly) straight women with kids, to share your experiences, to feel less alone. Should I say to you ‘why do you need to know there are other people with kids? Why should anyone make a fuss about that? I’d admire you much more if you stayed private about having kids and didn’t acknowledge you do? If you must have kids, I’m glad you stay quiet about it and don’t become one of those annoying loudmouth activists wanting to highlight injustices that mothers face and campaign for a better situation like those people at https://pregnantthenscrewed.com?’

I’m reading a lot of equivalent posts about gay people on this thread.

Everyone knows that. And so what? The Pope's a Roman Catholic by the way.

You need to mind your own business. It’s not your concern.

@MNUse Pay no attention to the haters and beraters.

I found out a few years ago when I heard she got married, but it was a ‘hmm’ kind of realisation i.e. kind of expected and not a surprise.

I think Jodie Foster is a magnificent woman who transcends labels.

I voted wrong by mistake! I am straight and I knew. I've known for an extremely long time.

I can't remember if I knew before 2013.

I wasn’t at all surprised when she came out as I’m sure I’ve always known. She’s a great actress, very intelligent, articulate and classy. I wasn’t surprised about Kristy McNichol or Sarah Gilbert either.