Roseanne retracts statement about Marie Osmond’s son being gay
”Michael’s friends and family say he was not gay. If that is true, then I owe a huge apology to the Osmond family and to Marie Osmond for the words I wrote here. I read several published sources before I said anything, but–I did not know him, and I don’t know his family either. I just reacted and said what I said because I have known so many gay mormon kids who committed suicide, as well as non mormon gay kids too. I am terribly ashamed of myself this time for shooting off my big mouth, and offending or hurting people who already were hurting. I don’t expect anyone to forgive me, but I am so sorry for being wrong and insensitive.”
Roseanne (Barr) continuing, or perhaps ending, her blog posts. Recently, she posted a series of missives about the Mormon Church in regards to Marie Osmond‘s son, Michael Blosil (a/k/a Michael Bryan) who took his own life a week ago. Roseanne says she knows of many Mormons who have killed themselves because they were gay, and she links to a number of sources. However, the only well-known source to produce a statement about Blasil’s sexual orientation was the National Enquirer, which quoted an unnamed “family insider.” (Roseanne World)
Roseanne is best known for her 1980s sitcom, “Roseanne,” which initially rose to popularity as a rare reflection on the life of lower-class suburban families. After its initial programming, the actress took more control of her production and challenged her mass audience in many ways, just one of which was the addition several gay characters — a gay boss (Martin Mull), a lesbian best friend (Sandra Bernhard), and in the show’s final “fantasy season”, she had her aged mother (Estelle Parsons) come out as a lesbian. In real life she has stated that she has a gay brother and sister, and in her last HBO comedy special, she made a number of gay supportive remarks. She has been a controversial figure all the while for other reasons, including plastic surgery, a butchered version of the National Anthem, a marriage and divorce from actor Tom Arnold, several name changes, strongly worded political views, and declarations about her challenges with mental illness.
”I am sorry to have hurt Marie Osmond, who is the most open minded person in her whole family…. I will leave this up for a while, and then I am just done. I appreciate the letters from gay people who thank me for speaking out on their behalf, but y’all are just going to have to take up the slack I will be leaving behind me. I am old now and tired, and not really feeling up to being the only person who says things that no one else will say. It definitely is not a good way to live my life anymore. I don’t want to end up a martyr for truth.”
Roseanne Barr again apologizing to Marie Osmond for the second time in as many days. Her first regretful message at top appeared late on Saturday night, but was taken offline after a few hours. This second message appears similar in tone, most notably for the portions where Roseanne seems to say she will stop lobbing social commentary. She says she never intended for her words to be broadcast by “sleazy gossip shows, or on other blogs,” which may seem a bit odd since she has run into controversy before for her sometimes shocking online opinions. Other posts on her blog include a mixture of harsh and hilarious criticisms about religion, her fellow celebrities, and conservative politics. (Roseanne World)
”All I would like to say, is that Michael Bryan was NOT homosexual. I can tell you that 100% for sure. It bothers me that people make assumptions when they know nothing of the situation or the person.”
Quote attributed to Ruthann Clawson by Ed Walsh of Examiner.com. He says Clawson is responding to assertions that her friend, Marie Osmond‘s son Michael Blosil (a/k/a Michael Bryan), was gay or his family’s Mormon views about homosexuality had any effect on his decision to take his own life. In a video posted by Entertainment Tonight, Blosil’s roommate refutes early media claims that the note left behind had any statement about feeling alone or like he had no friends. Another video shows a tearful Clawson recalling how nice a person he was, and that Marie Osmond did a “great job” raising him. She also disputes notions that he appeared unhappy or had no friends. (Examiner)
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