Gay No More or Wishful Thinking?
Kinsey Scale
by Gabrielle
9/7/01

Have you ever heard of the Kinsey Scale? If not, I suggest you take the time to examine the graphic above. Do not let the scale’s simplicity take away from the fact that it explains a lot about human sexuality. Today’s world consists of many shades of gray, unlike the myth that things could be separated into black and white. I doubt that there was ever a time where people were either heterosexual or homosexual. As with any bell curve, those who fall at the outer edges are the extremes and not the norm. 

Which brings me to the real topic I would like to discuss. Can someone wake up one day and declare that they are “Gay no more?” I am sure that Julie Cypher and Anne Heche would like to think so, but aren’t they really women who fall somewhere along the middle region of the Kinsey Scale?

To be honest, I am offended by the way in which Julie and Anne have gone about the end of their high profile (and excuse me, but also long-term) relationships with women. After personally watching both of them publicly profess their sexual orientation during the Equality Rocks Concert held in 2000 by the Human Rights Campaign, I was upset to be confronted with how quickly  “Gay no more” slid out of their mouths. I have no problem that Julie and Anne ended their relationships with their respective partners. Nor does the fact that they both want to date or marry men bother me. However, it is the continuation of several stereotypes that they perpetuate by their words and actions after their breakups that have my panties in a bunch!!.

What are the stereotypes?  Stereotype #1 - Lesbians recruit non-lesbians. While the non-lesbians do not receive the toaster Ellen Morgan referred to on the show Ellen, the perception is that lesbians trick straight women into sleeping with them. For those of us who have read Melissa Etheridge’s biography “The Truth is…” (you can read our reviews here), the fact of the matter is that Julie Cypher pursued Melissa. Julie hit on Melissa first and made the first and second physical move even though she was heterosexually married to Lou Diamond Phillips at the time. So much for the recruitment theory…

Stereotype #2 – Lesbianism means that the person is unmoral and promiscuous. On the surface some might want use the argument that Julie Cypher has finally seen the light and recognized that “she is no longer gay.”  That somehow a woman is a more moral person when living as a heterosexual. Again I refer to Julie Cypher. The only person in the Melissa and Julie relationship that was faithful was Melissa. It was the newly remitted heterosexual Julie that cheated on the proud to be a woman who loves women Melissa with both sexes!!

Stereotype #3 – Homosexuality is a choice. One day you can wake up and declare you no longer are attracted to the same sex, even though you spent the past several days, months, or years in an emotional and physical relationship with someone of the same sex. Julie Cypher and Anne Heche as well as other people like them act as if it is possible to have the golf equivalent of a Mulligan when it comes to sexual orientation. Sorry, a close look at the Kinsey Scale says that while they may no longer be in a same sex relationship or even currently in a relationship with a member of the opposite sex they would still be considered to be in the middle range of the Kinsey Scale. 

Before I continue, I need to digress and discuss Anne Heche. Now that she has completed her professional publicity climb via her relationship with Ellen DeGeneres, she is about to marry the man she cheated on Ellen with during Ellen’s stand-up comedy tour. What is that all about? This chick is a user of the highest magnitude. I don’t believe Anne is homosexual or heterosexual – Anne is in love with Anne!!!!!!!! If you want to learn more about Anne Heche, rent "Bowfinger". This is Steve Martin’s take on his former girlfriend.

Let’s face it, I am frustrated that the break-up of these famous lesbian couples is reinforcing old stereotypes. I just wish more education was going on about sexual orientation and the fact that there are many variations of it. I also feel as if I am sifting through the rubble of our public lesbian role models. Stories like that of Lily Tomlin who finally came out and acknowledged her long-standing relationship with Jane Wagner have been lost to the tabloid fodder of those mentioned above. It is important to note that I am extremely proud that it has been lesbians and not gay men that have had the guts to publicly put themselves out there. Even though it has been a rough year from a lesbian public relations standpoint, at least lesbians have been willing to make themselves publicly visible.  

Click here to see a parody song about the Kinsey Scale.

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