USA: ELLEN MORGAN WILL BECOME THE FIRST CENTRAL CHARACTER ON A U.S. SITCOM TO COME OUT AS GAY

Record ID: 472677

  • Title: USA: ELLEN MORGAN WILL BECOME THE FIRST CENTRAL CHARACTER ON A U.S. SITCOM TO COME OUT AS GAY
  • Date: 25th April 1997
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (APRIL 29, 1997) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) INTERNET VIDEO CLIP FROM "COMING OUT" EPISODE OF ELLEN IN WHICH ELLEN AND ACTRESS LAURA DERN HINT THAT ELLEN MIGHT BE GAY
  • Embargoed: 10th May 1997 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LOS ANGELES AND ANAHEIM, CALIFONIA/ NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK/ WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment,Quirky,Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA4HJDSYF2US9ODR8IN45BAHRRX
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: The biggest "coming out" party in American history takes place Wednesday (April 30) when comedian Ellen DeGeneres' situation-comedy alter ego announces: "I'm gay." Finally, the moment a frenzied media has told America to expect. Ellen Morgan, a seemingly asexual bookstore manager, will become the first central character on an American sitcom to come out of the closet.

    The character will join the actress who recently announced to the world that she was gay and made a very public appearance with her girlfriend, actress Anne Heche, at the White House Correspondent's dinner last weekend.

    Walt Disney Studios produces the four-year-old show,which has recently been struggling to stay on the air, but the "coming out" episode is expected to be watched by up to 20 million people.

    The episode, a one hour special, is coincidentally scheduled during the all-important sweeps week when programs' relative popularity is determined for advertising rates.

    Not everyone shares ABC Television's confidence in revealing Ellen's sexual preference. Reverend Louis P. Sheldon, chairman of the Traditional Values Coalition, thinks the episode will send the wrong message to an already confused young-adult audience. Sheldon claims the network is more concerned with ratings than what is morally right and wrong.

    Lorri L. Jean, executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Center, says Ellen's coming out is a wonderful thing and hopes Ellen's courage will spill over to change stereotypes in the United States.

    The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is hoping that Degeneres' actions in both her personal life and on the sitcom will encourage gays and lesbians across the country to come out. In fact, GLAAD is has advertised "coming out" parties in various locations all over Americaon it's website.

    The "coming out" episode features an all-star cast making cameo appearances in support of Degeneres' revelation. Included are Laura Dern, who plays the woman Ellen falls in love with, Demi Moore, k.d. lang, academy award winner Billy Bob Thornton and Oprah Winfrey.
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