Thorpedo Insists his Missile Flies Straight
Australian swimming sensation Ian Thorpe has found himself on the defensive following renewed speculation that it's guys who float his boat.
Thorpe was caught frolicking in the Brazilian surf with long-time housemate and fellow swimmer Daniel Mendes. The two had flown to join Mendes' family for the holidays after first celebrating them with Thorpe's back home in Oz.
But Thorpe says he pays no attention to the Brazilian hottie; they're just "mates". Who live together... and travel together...and spend time with each other's families...and attend functions together (like the 2008 MTV Movie Awards).
And just because Thorpe surprised fans a few months ago by proclaiming he was "in love" with someone who doesn't live in Australia doesn't mean it's Mendes. (But it does beg the question...then who? And how does he have time for "her" if he's always with his mate?)
Thorpe has issued a statement hoping to quell the speculation, saying he draws the line when rumors involve friends and family: "Over the last few days there have been a series of press articles published speculating about my friendship with Daniel Mendes. I am still friends with many of the people I competed and trained with during my swimming career. Daniel is one such good friend whom I have known for many years."
He goes on to mention that he's addressed the issue of his sexuality before, in a very open way. In 2007 he told Good Weekend Magazine that he's comfortable being a gay icon: "It's not a big deal to me. But I think the gay speculation, along with when I was accused of taking drugs in 2000, was an attempt to pull me down from the top."
"Some people think it's an insult to say, 'Oh, I think he's gay', but I don't take it that way. I'm not gay. I'm lucky that within myself I don't care enough to get worried or upset over it."
With his glory days behind him, I'm not sure the question of Thorpe's sexuality holds the cache it once did. Besides, the Aussies seem to have cornered the "are they or aren't they" market: Hugh Jackman, Guy Pearce, Olivia Newton-John, even the late Heath Ledger (following "Brokeback Mountain"). So maybe it's just a down-under thang. The bigger winner in all this could be Mendes...if he plays his cards right. He looks like quite the hottie, and he could stick a shrimp on my barbie anytime.
(Images courtesy of Getty)
Posted by Clarke Hamlin on January 29, 2009 in Celebs/Public Figures
, Outing
| Back to gay.com
what difference does it make ??
I've been gay all my life and I have a protective personality. I don't broadcast my sexuality. If YOU do goody for you.
Everyone is comfortable with themselves in different ways.
Why is it gay.com's job to make a massive issue out of this?
And, why does every pretty boy have to be gay?
Posted by: Gary | January 29, 2009 at 03:31 PM
damn hes hot!!! oreo sandwich with me n the middle please. reverse oreo that is. goddamn hes hot. damn.
Posted by: Phil | January 29, 2009 at 04:03 PM
He should just come out already. i mean, its not like he has any endorsements!
Posted by: alexpentelon | January 29, 2009 at 04:21 PM
I can not image who cares? mind your own business bitches.
Posted by: Louis | January 29, 2009 at 05:21 PM
Someone should run a spell check on that headline.
Posted by: gti_matt | January 29, 2009 at 06:34 PM
nothing better to do with your time at gay.com? is this all you can come up with to write about?
Posted by: chris | January 29, 2009 at 06:59 PM
Only stupid faggots in this country would think a man that ugly is hot. All it takes is an accent, and you sissies fawn all over them. There's no wonder there's hate crimes.
Posted by: Andy | January 29, 2009 at 07:03 PM
As an Aussie I'm proud of Ian Thorpe. He's done great things in his time. I think he's gay but probably to protect others interests he's keeping it hush. Its his right. Big deal.
Posted by: Michael | January 29, 2009 at 08:09 PM
Gentlemen- This article bugged me tremendously...why do we care if he is gay or not...he is "IN LOVE." Leave him alone...we are so transfixed with trying to "label" people gay or bi...just let them BE! You ever think that the reason people don't come out is possible due to the un-justified sensation that surrounds their life...let this man frolick on the beach with his mate (male or female). It's cool...I'm happy for him! You go!
Posted by: Kevin T. Clark | January 29, 2009 at 08:17 PM
If he is gay, it would be great if he came out. The more gay athletes come out, the less of a stigma it will be.
Posted by: bill | January 29, 2009 at 09:02 PM
I don't care. As much as we keep protesting that being gay isn't a big issue, why do we continually make it one?
lol @ gary - why do pretty boys have to be gay. I loved it when Kathy Griffin commented on this. She said something like "you don't see the gays hoping beyond all hope that Ernest Borgnine would come out of the closet."
@Andy - um, my pics aren't interactive, so I can't hear him speak. He's hot. Taste is subjective; I don't think Brad Pitt is that big of a deal.
Posted by: SomeSpiffyName | January 30, 2009 at 12:28 AM
SAME FAG BS...
WHY IS IT YOUR BUSINESS IF SOMEONE IS GAY OR NOT.
IT'S NOT ! !
and P.S. the spell check is a great idea, is it MISSLE or MISSILE ?
Posted by: luca | January 30, 2009 at 03:30 AM
He can't be gay, he looks pretty fugly to me.
Posted by: Yekimi | January 30, 2009 at 06:33 AM
You know!? as a poofter myself, and always have been, I think this is all bullshit!...... He is an athelete not a porn star. Lets be proud of the "man" who represents Australia through he's achievements, like so many aussies before him. We all would like him to be gay, to fulfill our fantasies......get a life and support the man who is representing us out there. Remember.... KYLIE, had the piss taken out of her when she became "LOCOMOTION"... Give the guy a break, and thank him for being a great ambassador(wont mention the big feet).
Ian Thorpe..... With you mate and thanks for your devotion. Keep going mate, they are sitting on their fat arse's doing nothing, while you are rockin!
Keep going, mate,
Proud Australian Poofter
Steven Starkey
Posted by: Steven Starkey | January 30, 2009 at 07:11 AM
I am tired of members of our community working so hard to justify our status by dragging famous people out of the closet. We raise our pride flags and scream that we should be respected based on who we are and not on our sexuality, but then members of our community believe that if someone excels in their field, then they should be excluded from deserving the same respect. It was such a personal decision and sometimes difficult decision for each of us to come out of the closet, I suggest you respect his, else none of us deserve it.
Posted by: MyGosh | January 30, 2009 at 07:17 AM
REALLY? Is this a "hot topic"?
How about the hot topic that Planet Out is operating in the red for 10 quarters in a row?
Posted by: Stephen | January 30, 2009 at 07:29 AM
At first it does look lame to speculate...is he Gay? Or is he Straight? Or - well - whatever.
Well - what kind of wrong is it? Or...what kind of right is it?
Being white is a false but unfortunatly effective credential.
Black people dont get to take advantage of this - at all. Black people can't hide their minority status - and they shouldn't have to worry about it in the first place.
That shit matters as much as we let it. But we all know it matters more than it should - ever.
In southern California you WILL find people who discount the value of a Mexican on a regular basis. They might try and say shit like, "Those Mexicans are ruining everything"!
Bullshit.
All sorts of people go to Chinese restaurants and completly expect to see a person of specific decent which somehow lends credibility to the authenticity of the food prepared and served.
What - the fuck - is that?
How - the fuck - does this factor into whether or not someone of notoriety is Gay or not?
On the one hand - many imply that because it shouldnt matter - it isn't important to call out a fellow - force him to admit it.
On the other - many believe that in doing so we force society to reconcile its miscperception about Gay men - expecially when their achievments are undeniable - and even moreso when said achievments can be viewed as altrueistic because then and only then can our hand trump most arguments against us.
This shouldnt matter - but it does.
If you place Homosexual Men in the rank and file of minority status based on actual discrimination - you will find them at the top of that list.
But if you ask other minority members where they place themselves on any list of who's better than the other - you will find Homosexual Men at the bottom.
To many, many people - we are all just a bunch of faggots.
This train of thought is but one road taken when we see our kind beat and set on fire - murdered by having our heads smashed in by a Marine - robbed and then chastised and humiliated by the police when we file a complaint - altogether dicounted as less than zero.
So...
If you are stupid enough to think that Gay men are trying to pull down someone because he isnt out and is of some - symbolic importance - then please remove your head out of your ass because YOU are buying into the same bullshit that any other does when they choose to believe WE are less.
This is the space Mr. Thorpe is caught in.
No one cares if Ian Thorpe is Gay - as much as they do if he is an Olympic Hero.
The Ian Thorpes of the world are ordinary and bring about change much the way anyone with less of a voice does...hard work, grass roots efforts, in some cases - legislative priviledge - but in general - at a much slower pace.
However...
Olympic Heros, Movie Stars, Famous anyone - can with but the utterance of a few words - propell our cause light years ahead of schedual.
That is POWER.
And if they have that POWER and they dont see it - then we will and we will exploit it.
The truth is - Gay men who get all bent out of shape about the merits of outing a famous person have more than likely misplaced their own success as someone free of discrimination as the result of only their choices and actions.
They think that because they don't have a "problem" being Gay - that it's somehow "not" that big of a problem.
Fuck you.
You are Gay just like me.
One day you will be reminded of your place - your station - your role - your appointed status.
And all that you are - all that you have done - will be disqualified.
Because YOU are a faggot.
I might not be able to spell easy words - but I can see quite clearly.
Posted by: Wyatt1969again | January 30, 2009 at 08:31 AM
yer a tairubble spaileer, mister roamy-oh guy.
i diddunt understend a seengle theeng you sed.
Posted by: gidderguy | January 30, 2009 at 11:12 AM
Plain and simple.
Leave him alone. It's no one's business but Ian's.
Posted by: Ken | January 30, 2009 at 12:14 PM
See, this is precisely the kind of "bitchy Gossip Queen, BS" most in the st8 world accuse us of.
As a gay man, i admit i am slightly curious, but I consider this: No matter how famous someone is, unless they have pissed off the press, wouldn't be forbidding, unnerving, and lonely have the news reporting gossip from the doorstep of ones closet regardless of which way he plays. If he is "family", let him have a clear avenue to come out, and since he states he is not (and he is accepting of us), LEAVE THE MAN ALONE. Bless your handsome self, Ian!!
Posted by: Arland M | January 30, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Nice post 1969.But to some.I think it is important. To as being A role model to look up to.Not forget not many be aware of non straights in sports to look up to.I certainly not knew anyone when a teen.
But this is as bad as Ted Haggard case.Why is it...again...that either might just be bisexual. Annoying how soo much people refuse, as to see this. No I'm not Bisexual. 100% gay.
Posted by: Will | January 30, 2009 at 05:03 PM
Well, having seen Ernest Borgnine in "Bad Day at Black Rock," I can say that he had his hot moments. Oh, for a time machine...
On this particular topic, for better or worse, people's sexuality and love lives are not just their business. Heterosexuals broadcast their sex lives all over the place, and who complains? Love and sex are social, public matters, and it's only human for people to notice, say, that Thorpe seems not to have any women in his life, but does have a man there. Maybe he's bisexual, as Will insists, but Thorpe doesn't seem any more willing to consider that possibility either.
It's a pity so many people feel the need to lie about themselves, and that there are good reasons for them to feel that need. Instead of yammering about "gossip" and bitching about "bitchy queens," maybe you all should work harder at fighting homophobia, instead of justifying it.
Posted by: Duncan | January 30, 2009 at 07:18 PM
Sadly, every pretty boy is NOT gay. Kevin Smith and Seth Rogen and Jack Black and Phillip Hoffman are not. :(
(I suppose my concept of pretty may not be mainstream ;) )
Posted by: Tim | January 30, 2009 at 08:35 PM
I have never understood why he still tries to proclaim his straightness. Many in Sydney believe he is gay and people that know him also agree.
It's damn crazy that he continues with this lame, charade, he is kidding no one but himself. He is an embarrassment to gay people the world over.
If he isn't gay then he would be the gayest straight person that ever lived. I agree with some of you too, he is downright fugly.
Posted by: James | January 31, 2009 at 03:45 AM
You say "With his glory days behind him, I'm not sure the question of Thorpe's sexuality holds the cache it once did".
So why are YOU making such a fuss?
Posted by: Simon | January 31, 2009 at 06:45 AM
Its Thorpies business & Thorpies only. He is a great Australian and if he says he is Straight - then he is straight. Why should it matter?
Posted by: Tautama | January 31, 2009 at 10:28 AM
seriously, who gives a shit if he's gay or not?
Posted by: Sparky | January 31, 2009 at 03:09 PM
OH MY GAWD A man says he not gay.
Wow, that's a blow to homosexuals everywhere.
Whatever shall we do?
And he's cute! Oh cruel world.
Posted by: queerplanet | January 31, 2009 at 03:24 PM
If he is, he'll come out when he's ready. If not, then so what! The more you, and the rest of the media hounds place attention on outing him always turns negative towards him. Get over it you flippin' drama queen!
Posted by: SomGuyinMD | January 31, 2009 at 04:37 PM
>You ever think that the reason people don't come out is possible due to the un-justified sensation that surrounds their life...
No, I think adults stay in the closet cos they're cowards. And no one complains about media coverage or idle gossip regarding the dating lives of str8 celebs. Or semi celebs, in this case.
Posted by: corrective_unconscious | January 31, 2009 at 11:05 PM
deranged, not too bright individual > "Black people dont get to take advantage of this - at all. Black people can't hide their minority status - and they shouldn't have to worry about it in the first place."
Light skinned black people definitely tried to "pass" as white before, approximately, the 60s. Why don't you inform yourself of basic facts and then learn to avoid ten, one sentence paragraphs right in a row? It makes you sound unhinged.
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