Oprah Says She Is Not Gay

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

18 Jul 2006 07:00 AM

I've heard her joke about it on her show, but I didn't think the rumors would trigger a response like this. Oprah Winfrey is setting the record straight about her sexuality. In a multi-page article in the August issue of "O" Magazine, Winfrey writes that she and her best friend Gayle King are not gay.

"I understand why people think we're gay," she says in an excerpt of the article provided to the Associated Press. "There isn't a definition in our culture for this kind of bond between women. So I get why people have to label it - how can you be this close without it being sexual?"

In the article, King (an editor at the magazine), also addresses the issue and says: "The truth is, if we were gay, we would tell you, because there's nothing wrong with being gay."

Sure, they have been friends for more than three decades and sure, the call each other four times a day (but who's counting), but that's what Winfrey and King say their friendship is all about-good communication.

"Something about this relationship feels otherworldly to me, like it was designed by a power and a hand greater than my own," Winfrey writes. "Whatever this friendship is, it's been a very fun ride."

The article goes on to discuss Winfrey and King's ever-evolving relationship and addresses the persistent rumors about the talk-show host's relationship with boyfriend of 20 years, Stedman Graham. But Winfrey says the point of the piece was to try to clear up any fallacies that people might have about her friendship with King. Winfrey writes that with as much exposure as their friendship gets on national television it's easy to see why some people may misunderstand the type of relationship she and King have.

I never thought they were gay, did you?

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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QueenAngie Central Illinois, USA (60081) 18 Jul 2006 04:40 PM

I never ever considered that Oprah was gay.

A woman needs to have friends to share things with. That does not make her gay.

mcmama (51978) 18 Jul 2006 05:23 PM

This never occurred to me. A lot of women have lifetime best friends.

Libby Pelham (12871) 18 Jul 2006 07:27 PM

They say the same thing about Dolly Parton and her best friend (who sometimes travel and according to Dolly even sleep together).