Arts & Entertainment
Kevin Spacey slammed for coming out amid sexual misconduct apology to Anthony Rapp
the ‘House of Cards’ star has publicly stated he is gay
(Screenshot via YouTube.)
Kevin Spacey is facing criticism for publicly coming out as gay in response to Anthony Rapp’s allegation that the “House of Cards” star sexually harassed him as a child.
Rapp, 46, revealed to BuzzFeed that he and Spacey became acquainted while working as actors on Broadway. When Rapp was 14 years old, Spacey invited him to his apartment for a party. Spacey was 26 at the time.
Rapp recounted that he became bored, as he was the only child at the party, and went into a bedroom to watch TV. He alleges that Spacey entered the bedroom looking drunk, carried Rapp to the bed and laid on top of him.
“He was trying to seduce me,” Rapp told BuzzFeed. “I don’t know if I would have used that language. But I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually.”
The “Star Trek” star says he was able to push Spacey off of him and left the apartment. However, the incident has weighed on him for years.
“The older I get, and the more I know, I feel very fortunate that something worse didn’t happen,” Rapp says. “And at the same time, the older I get, the more I can’t believe it. I could never imagine [that] anyone else I know would do something like that to a 14-year-old boy.”
Spacey, 58, released a statement in response to Rapp’s allegations saying that he doesn’t remember sexually harassing Rapp, but he apologizes.
“I’m beyond horrified to hear his story. I honestly do not recall the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago. But if I did behave then as he describes I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years,” Spacey writes.
He also publicly came out as gay adding, “I choose now to live as a gay man.”
Some people took offense to Spacey’s apology and coming out story being included in the same statement.
No no no no no! You do not get to “choose” to hide under the rainbow! Kick rocks! https://t.co/xJDGAxDjxz
— Official Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) October 30, 2017
Nope to Kevin Spacey’s statement. Nope. There’s no amount of drunk or closeted that excuses or explains away assaulting a 14-year-old child.
— Dan Savage (@fakedansavage) October 30, 2017
This whole Kevin Spacey situation reminds me that queerness is still more shocking than sexual violence to far too many people.
— Raquel Willis ? (@RaquelWillis_) October 30, 2017
Kevin Spacey has just invented something that has never existed before: a bad time to come out.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 30, 2017
Anthony Rapp: “Kevin Spacey tried to rape me.”
Media: “Kevin how do you respond?”
Spacey: “uuh…uuhh… Hey everyone I’m gay!” pic.twitter.com/6LAEfsyRtF
— Travon Free (@Travon) October 30, 2017
I’m not interested in Kevin Spacey being gay. I’m curious as to why we’re conflating sexuality w/ the molestation of a minor. Stay on topic
— Ashlee Marie Preston (@AshleeMPreston) October 30, 2017
Rapp also tweeted a response to Spacey’s statement saying that he came forward with his story “to shine a light and hopefully make a difference.”
to shine a light and hopefully make a difference, as they have done for me. 2/3
— Anthony Rapp (@albinokid) October 30, 2017
Everything I wanted to say about my experience is in that article, and I have no further comment about it at this time.
— Anthony Rapp (@albinokid) October 30, 2017
Celebrity News
Madonna announces release date for new album
‘Confessions II’ marks return to the dance floor
Pop icon Madonna on Wednesday announced that her 15th studio album will be released on July 3.
Titled “Confessions II,” the new album is a sequel to 2005’s “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” an Abba and disco-infused hit.
The new album reunites Madonna with producer Stuart Price, who also helmed the original “Confessions” album. It’s her first album of new material since 2019’s “Madame X.”
“We must dance, celebrate, and pray with our bodies,” Madonna said in a press release. “These are things that we’ve been doing for thousands of years — they really are spiritual practices. After all, the dance floor is a ritualistic space. It’s a place where you connect — with your wounds, with your fragility. To rave is an art. It’s about pushing your limits and connecting to a community of like-minded people,” continued the statement. “Sound, light, and vibration reshape our perceptions. Pulling us into a trance-like state. The repetition of the bass, we don’t just hear it but we feel it. Altering our consciousness and dissolving ego and time.”
Denali (@denalifoxx) of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performed at Pitchers DC on April 9 for the Thirst Trap Thursday drag show. Other performers included Cake Pop!, Brooke N Hymen, Stacy Monique-Max and Silver Ware Sidora.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Arts & Entertainment
In an act of artistic defiance, Baltimore Center Stage stays focused on DEI
‘Maybe it’s a triple-down’
By LESLIE GRAY STREETER | I’m always tickled when people complain about artists “going political.” The inherent nature of art, of creation and free expression, is political. This becomes obvious when entire governments try to threaten it out of existence, like in 2025, when the brand-new presidential administration demanded organizations halt so-called diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programming or risk federal funding.
Baltimore Center Stage’s response? A resounding and hearty “Nah.” A year later, they’re still doubling down on diversity.
“Maybe it’s a triple-down,” said Ken-Matt Martin, the theater’s producing director, chuckling.
The rest of this article can be found on the Baltimore Banner’s website.
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Comings & Goings
Minimal version of ‘Streetcar Named Desire’ heading to Dupont Underground
