Openly gay actor Rupert Everett recently said that he “can’t think of anything worse” than having two gay dads, a comment which has shocked and angered the gay community.
Speaking about his mother’s desire for him to marry a woman and have a child even though she knows he’s gay, Everett said, “She thinks children need a father and a mother and I agree with her,” he said. “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,” he said. He also added that he doesn’t consider himself to be part of the gay community.
“I’m not speaking on behalf of the gay community. 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.”
Everett has made inflammatory remarks about gays before, something which has confused and hurt groups such as the Family Equity Council and GLAAD. Both groups have spoken out since Everett’s latest comments.
GLAAD president Herndon Graddick said, “Since Everett shared his outdated opinion, gay parents, as well as their friends and families, have voiced overwhelming disappointment. Children aren’t hurt when raised by caring gay parents, but they are when uninformed people in the public eye insult their families.”
