Casting Call: Are You Willing To Come Out On Television?

If you are willing to come out on television, you might be interested in this casting call: Showtime Networks is in development on a documentary-style TV series titled Way Out that will find gays and lesbians revealing their sexual orientation to important people in their lives.

According to the casting notice, Way Out isn't simply about coming out but will also delve deep into what it is like to live life hiding an essential part of one's self.

FYI: The people behind the show include Bryn Freedman, who is the executive producer of A&E's Intervention, and Adam Drucker, Intervention's casting producer, and they promise to handle everyone featured on Way Out with care, dignity and respect. They will also provide counseling support to each subject throughout the process.

If you are interested in taking part in the show, visit the Way Out site for more details and to apply.

In the meantime, what do you think of the concept for this show? Do you think it is a good idea for people to come out on television?

(Image courtesy of Getty)

Comments

[Michael B]

I would never come out on television, I believe it is a private matter between me and my friends. When I meet new people if they ask me about my choice of partner I will tell them. Really why would you want to tell people who do not even know you that you are gay.

[VeniceScorpion]

I think sensationalizing a very private part of yourself is ridiculous. And I don't think it's a very sensitive way to tell people something about yourself that may freak them out. Being gay, learning to live your life openly and sharing that with the people important to you should not be a circus side show. No matter how much care, dignity and respect is shown people are still going to tune in hoping for high drama. If you want that, watch Jerry Springer and one of those ridiculous "Who's Your Baby's Daddy?" episodes. If that's dignity and respect, I guess i am confused about the definition of those words.

[Safe in the closet]

No thanks, I have enough problems without having my private life broadcast around the world on TV.

Only an idiot would do something like this, or an attention-whore.

[Vance]

Already did come out to people, uh... ...this is a GAY website right? How out is this thing anyway - Planet Out? (I agree, let's not Hollywood a moment already done very well by a movie called "Birdcage" - with Robin Williams, Gene Hackman, Nathan Lane, and directed by Mike Nichols.

[tomriddlesmate]

Hasn't MTV already done this, but with teens?

[ya mama n nem]

I think its a good idea. even tho my Partner is closeted, everbody knows he's gay. He's very masculine and in his mind he believes that keeps people from knowing. TRUST ME, People KNOW if you're gay.
Closeted or not.

Being OUT has nothing to do with other people. It has everything to do with YOU.
It isn't disrespectful, it doesn't "throw it in your Mama's face"
hear me now...
IF THEY HAVE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF LOVE FOR YOU, THEY WILL ACCEPT YOU!

Been there, done that in 1997.

God Bless!

[DOG]

Sounds contrived and stupid. Of course on camera for national television, most people are going to be accepting. It is off camera that the truth will come out. I also wonder how many idiots will sign up hoping that some casting director somewhere will see them and hire them. And what is the point of such a show? I doubt very much it will foster acceptance. Why do some real work Showtime and do a documentry on the damage homophobia does to soceity?

[zarxo]

Sex is not a value, so why would this be a hit?

I've analyzed this to a fine point, which is the very antithesis of Ayn Rand's values on sex.

Since any person, rich, poor, ignorant or bright can "do" sex then there is no value to it. Value in and of itself presupopses an action that a thing has to do to keep or maintain it, which reinforces a maxim, a premise, of reasoning--to a purpose. (As in law, what any PRUDENT reasonable person would do).

Having children would be a value since Nutural Selection is a value.

Rarely if ever is sex used an emotional context that is positive and rewarding, especially in the gay circle where it is used as a tool for expedient pleasures that tend to always lack a cause--beyond its moment.

With equal rights in the gay lifestyle, there will be a rise of standard in responsiblity and accountablity that many are not ready for. Marriage presupposes monogamy--in the literal sense of marriage. Are we there yet?

This excludes those who are not wired for marriage and yet get married to fool around on their unassuming partners (straight and gay)--that's another biological/nuerobiology condition that requires a separate form.

[SecondHandLion]

At the age of 50, I don't think they'd be interested in me for their show. And at my age, I see no point in making any public announcement to the world or to my family about my sexuality, unless there would be a large financial benefit to me.(Being financially destitute at this time in my life isn't much fun.) It certainly wouldn't provide any social benefits (i.e. - dating).
If I were to find someone else to fall in love with again, I would like to be able to introduce them to my family if we were going to live together in a relationship.
I've spent most of my life alone, save for a short relationship in 2000-2001 in which I did fall in love but had my heart broken after a year. A few friends at the time knew what I'd been thru. But I saw no benefit in announcing it to everyone. It's doubtful I'll ever meet anyone else again that I'll truly love. Being completely out just to introduce "lovers" to family & a few friends doesn't seem worth the trouble.
Besides, if people who know me haven't figured out by now that I'm gay, then I'm either one of the most brilliant actors around or they just don't care enough about me as a person to know. Sadly, I'm afraid it's more of the latter.
I do think that the new series "Way Out" will be of benefit to others, however. Especially for those young people who are struggling to find the courage to tell their own family & friends that they're gay. Seeing it done in various ways will help them discover a way to do it for themselves, perhaps as simple as being able to sit down & watch the show together.
I just hope that if things don't go well for the participants of the series in their coming out, that they aren't left without some type of support (emotional, professional, & even financial). I've heard enough horror stories about coming out & being ostracized by family & friends.

[msb45a]

Is it absolutely necessary to spill our lives on T.V.? I think not! I'm out to all that needed to know, and they are all just fine, and very supportive, except for one lousy jerk of an Uncle. Who would want to see and hear about a fat-assed 46 year old tell his story any way?

[Michael D]

Coming out on tv? how stupid....Grow a set of balls and talk to the people in your life in private dont embarrass yoruself or your families with unneeded drama only a self centered faggot would make coming out a public affair

[Jeff]

Closets are meant to hang clothes in not live in.

I could not imagine living and not being out.

[Luke]

So much hostility. Intervention is airing your private life to the world and a lot couldn't give a shit, but ohhh, when it's coming out, it's like you shouldn't come out on tv or you'll seem like some narcissist seeking attention.

Grow up people. Have you considered how many people may come out due to shows like these? They will be able to come to their decision eventually, maybe even quicker and in a more constructive way, from watching shows like these. It's a documentary style show too. It's not just some random reality tv show like the Survivor. This is a documentary constructed reality tv show, so this isn't for some fucking "stardom" gimmick. Granted, there may be a few that sign up for that reason alone, but fortunately that's not the case. Read into the show a bit more.

You can hate the show all you want, but don't look down on the people in it just because they don't live up to your standards on what and how 'coming out' should fucking go.

I also just read a comment that used the word "faggot" and it kind of pushed a button since this is a gay friendly site (obviously) and you have to continue to use words like that to degrade the community. Good fucking job buddy.

[Your_Fear]

What's next? Gay Cheaters? We have enough drama already, who needs more?

[B.]

I find the intense hatred being spouted off here to be very disturbing. Nobody is holding a gun to anybody's head to force them to participate. People are saying that coming out should be a personal matter. So if the people taking part in this documentary choose to do so, how is it any less of a personal choice for them to do so than it is for you to choose not to do so.

I personally applaud the bravery of these people. They are risking a lot by broadcasting it on the national airwaves. This takes far more courage than those who are essentially following the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in their own personal lives.

This show has the chance to display to people just how much of a struggle coming out can be, how much pain and emotion is involved. If people can see these emotions, then maybe just one more person out there can come to realize that being gay is not a "choice" but a part of who we are, and that we can no sooner change that than we can anything else about the traits we are born with.

[Tom]

While I appreciate's the gay-themed programming Showtime produces, this particular concept is neither appealing nor original. Boring!!!!!

[Derrick]

So, I think its safe to say, the majority of the gay community or at least, the men on this site say "nay"

Thanks for trying Showtime.

[Robb]

Didn't Logo already do this as a series called COMING OUT STORIES? I don't think it went past a season.

[sister mary helen]

i liked it better the first time, when it was called Coming Out Stories on Logo...

[Eric]

I'll be glad when reality tv starts to lose popularity. So much of it is obviously contrived and staged, and no one acts normally when they know there are cameras around all the time. I agree with the post above that says many of these people are attention whores.

[ontarianitch]

someone somewhere will come out on tv and everything will be staged, because the show will need a nice season finale. the mother will be a gay and lesbian ahter, and be video'd publicly ridiculing them and using the slang as a negative and teh father will be the one who says, my boys no faggot or something to that degree. the kids will be accepting but they will have their own demons and one of them has a questioning background, making the reveal to the parents that much bitter. Someone has a to be rushed to teh hospital and teh commerical has to air right before anything is completely revealed. Now that's entertaining

[Terrence Batiste]

Who cares?!? Most of the queens on this site are attention seekers to begin with. Why else would people have pictures of themselves without shirts on, and constantly trying to show me their 'private' photos? Being flamboyant is part of a great many gay man's life, and to have to hide that in a closet somewhere must suck. Let people make their own decisions. The show isn't hurting you. Where have I heard this rationale before....

[irvin]

Ok guys relax i think it's a brilliant idea that will give those who have chosen not come out some perspective on how although it is tough at first it is always worth it at the end

[nutloaf]

Stupidest thing I ever heard of. It may be cathartic for the person coming out, but what about family and friends who might not be ready, let alone not being thrilled about getting this information in front of millions of viewers? They should scrap this idea in a hurry. Remember what happened on Jenny Jones when that poor guy revealed a secret crush on his male friend and then got murdered for it? Some things are best done delicately and not under the watchful eye of the TV camera.

[Charles]

I think this is a good thing for the U.S. because it is going to show the country how hard it is to come out. It may even make people a lot more open. I also it has its down fall for people who are on the show. How will they feel if they are made fun of on Saturday Night Live. It could really damage their personal lives.

[Samantha]

I feel a little mixed about this, but definitely lean towards a more positive view of this idea.
I am nervous that this could be a bit exploitive, but I think that this is a good show for younger LGBT people who have not come out yet and even older LGBT people who have yet to come out. I would think that this show wouldn't have just young people coming out, but older people as well (I hope).