Rupert Everett Blasts Gay Parenting, GLAAD Fires Back, Called Statement ‘Outdated’
British actor Rupert Everett -- who revealed he was gay nearly two decades ago has gotten the gay community in an uproar with his views on gay parenting.
In an interview with the UK's Sunday Times, the openly gay actor recalled his boyfriend's first encounter with his mother, and how she mourned the future daughter-in-law and grandchildren she would never have. She "still wishes I had a wife and kids," he said.
"She thinks children need a father and a mother and I agree with her," Everett told the British Paper. "I can't think of anything worse than being brought up by two gay dads. Some people might not agree with that. Fine! That's just my opinion."
GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) fired back at the actor for what they deemed an archaic statement.
"Since Everett shared his outdated opinion, gay parents, as well as their friends and families, have voiced overwhelming disappointment," said Herndon Graddick, GLAAD's president. "Children aren't hurt when raised by caring gay parents, but they are when uninformed people in the public eye insult their families."
Ben Summerskill, the head of the U.K.-based LGBT lobbying group Stonewall, also issued a statement blasting Everett, saying, "Rupert should get out a little bit more to see the facts for himself."
Adding: "there is absolutely no evidence that the kids of gay parents suffer in the way they are being brought up or in how they develop."
The actor did make it clear that his statement was meant without malice towards the gay community. "I'm not speaking on behalf of the gay community," he said, "In fact, I don't feel like I'm part of any 'community.' The only community I belong to is humanity and we've got too many children on the planet, so it's good not to have more."