'I am not gay,' Oprah Winfrey says in response to rumors

Jet, June 23, 1997

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey recently denied rumors that she is gay and issued a press statement saying she is not a lesbian.

The rumors apparently began to spark after Ms. Winfrey's recent appearance as a therapist on the "Ellen" TV show in which the main character, played by Ellen DeGeneres, announced she was gay.

Ms. Winfrey said in the press statement: "Since my appearance on the `Ellen' show, there have been rumors circulating that I'm gay. I've addressed this on my show, but the rumor mill still churns."

Ms. Winfrey continued: "Several weeks ago, syndicated columnist Liz Smith wrote that `one of the biggest and longest-running TV stars' is contemplating `coming out.' The columnist added, `This celeb is an icon and role model to millions.' Apparently, people assume that it's me. It's not."

Ms. Winfrey added, "The latest development in the rumor saga is that I'm supposed to be doing a `coming out' interview with a major news magazine. I'm not."

"I decided to address this rumor because, for the past couple days, our offices have received several phone calls about this from legitimate press, so it appears to be picking up steam," she said.

She explained, "As I've said, I appeared on Ellen's show because I wanted to support her in her desire to free herself -- and I thought it was a really good script."

She concluded the press statement by saying: "I am not in the closet. I am not coming out of the closet. I am not gay."

Ms. Winfrey also addressed the rumors during her recent keynote speech at PROMAX International's 42nd annual convention in Chicago. PROMAX is an association of marketing and promotion executives in the electronic media.