Meredith Baxter: Yes, I'm gay

[Liberal_in_LA]

Meredith Baxter: Yes, I'm gay

CNN) -- "Family Ties" actress Meredith Baxter made the media rounds Wednesday confirming the rumors that she is a lesbian.

"It was a later in life recognition," the actress explained to Matt Lauer on the "Today" show Wednesday.

The National Enquirer recently ran a story about Baxter being spotted on a lesbian cruise through the Caribbean with a "female friend," which was then picked up by celebrity blogs. As a result, the 62-year-old decided to tell her fans herself.

"I didn't want some tabloid to take the story and make it up," Baxter said in the interview. "I wanted it to be in my own words."

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The actress was married three times before, during which she "was never comfortable with herself," she told People. Now, she feels like she's "being honest for the first time."

Baxter has also come clean to her five kids, according to People. Her 25-year-old son Peter was all smiles. He told the magazine that he "just couldn't stop smiling, because she finally figured it out."
http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/12/02/meredith.baxter.lesbian.mom/index.html

[Hekate]

1. How wonderful for her to have that support from her son, too.

Edited to add: I saw her photo at the link and have to say that (a) for a 62 y.o. she looks really good, and (b) I am quite happy that she seems to have avoided the plastic-surgery-and-botox mask so many actresses fall for. I love the wrinkles and smile lines on her face. I say this as someone who is her age myself.

Hekate

[slackmaster]

2. It's great that she "figured it out", and I can't imagine how difficult that has been for her

It's way outside of anything I have ever experienced. Most of the gay/lesbian people in my family either came out militantly in the early '60s or were closeted their entire lives. It just wasn't discussed, but everyone knew.

[joeybee12]

3. This is the 40th MB thread...and I've been rec'cing all of them.

Better late than never. :toast:

[RoadRage]

4. Well, Alex P. Keaton's head just exploded...

First Reagan dies, now this. Tough decade for that guy. ;) NT

[gateley]

5. She must feel such a sense of relief that she's gone public. I hope she's very happy. nt

[Whisp]

6. Meredith, I'm so happy for you! :)

big wide smiles here.

may you have a wonderful life