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Magda: “Gay, gay, gay, gay, little bit not gay.”

Updated: Magda Szubanski uses humour, but fights back tears, to get her message across on The Project.

Comedian Magda Szubanski last night used humour during her interview on The Project to get across her message about supporting gay marriage and confirming she identifies as gay.

“Let me just define my terms here – I identify as gay myself,” she said. “Now when I say that, what that means is I am absolutely not straight.

“I wouldn’t define myself as bisexual either. I would say I am gay, gay, gay, gay, gay … little bit not gay, gay gay gay gay.

“Unfortunately there’s not actually a word to describe me. So I have to express myself through the medium of the dance.”

Szubanski’s confirmed one of showbiz’s most widely-known secrets. But when asked “why today?” she said,

“Obviously I have been thinking about this for a very long time and I suppose some people might wonder why I haven’t done it sooner,” she said.

“I think it’s hard for people who don’t realise what the pressures of being gay are.

“I love my work and the thing is….” she said before fighting back tears.

“The thing is you’re forced into this position and you almost feel like you have to choose. You just want to give of yourself…

“I am an incredibly open person and the truth is for decades my family have known my friends have known … all my colleagues.

“I’m sure all of you knew. It’s not like I was running around hiding it.

“There’s a difference between living your life and living it absolutely publicly and that thing of 20 million people knowing your business is stressful.

“If you’re safe, if you’re supported, feel proud.”

UPDATE: Szubanski told 3AW today she had struggled with her sexuality whilst growing up and had even contemplated suicide.

“Oh yes, yeah, absolutely … people will say ‘Why did I take a while to do this [come out]?’ I needed to be as solid as I could be so I could do this in the strongest possible way and be really clear about myself,” she said.

“I didn’t want to come out and botch coming out as it were, I wanted to be effective and useful for other people and to get on really solid ground yourself can really take a while. It can really take a while – it can be a journey – so that’s why I think it’s really important to respect people’s journey, whatever that is.”

She added she had been “absolutely overwhelmed and so moved by the beautiful response” by the Australian public.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ_5puTDOYI[/youtube]

Source: Fairfax

12 Responses

  1. If gay aussie rules footballers came out in favour of gay marriage with the support of Andrew Demetriou and the AFL, you would see gay marriage legalised in a heart beat.

  2. As a gay teen, I think that for every person – especially someone who is well-known – who comes out, it will get easier for younger people to work through their difficulties of being gay. The more exposure we have to queer performers, especially those who are idolised and respected, the closer it will be for gays to achieve equality. A celebrity coming out may not count as worthy news for some, but for the LGBT community, it’s very important. We want to constantly remind you of our fight against prejudice and we won’t win until every gay person feels able to be themselves without meeting disapproval. We’re not going anywhere.

  3. Dont care, Dont care, Dont care, Dont care, Dont care, Dont care, Dont care,…………..care just a little but, Dont care!

    I dont really care if Magda is gay or not, my opinion of her would not change. Whether someone is straight, gay or otherwise I dont care as long as they make me laugh.

    In the future I hope all people, no matter what there beliefs or lifestyle, get to enjoy the same rights and freedoms as everyone else. But as for Magda being gay………….dont care.

  4. Yet again, Magda Z proves she is one of the rare class acts we have on TV.

    The next time the position is available, she gets my vote for Governor General.

    Well done, Magda. xx

  5. I agree with Magda, it’s about freedom of choice and until that is taken from you you just don’t know how that feels. Just ask any non white person not so long ago what it’s like.

    In the US right now the Republicans are trying to over turn a lot of the current laws in place to stop gay marriage and send the country back 10 years. I sure hope it doesn’t happen here.

  6. @Butterfly Carnage – I disagree, it is a matter of equality. As the state certifies marriage the current inequality within the marriage act is an issue that all Australians should be concerned about.

    Good on Magda for speaking out for those without a voice.

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