Kristy McNichol comes out as a lesbian

By: Camille Mann
Topics: Celebrity

Kristy McNichol as Officer Barbara Weston in "Empty Nest."

(Credit: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU/AP Photo)

(CBS) Kristy McNichol, who is known for her roles on "Family" and "Empty Nest," has decided to step back into the spotlight after years and come out as a lesbian to help kids who are being bullied, reports say.

McNichol, 49, has lived with her partner Martie Allen for the last 20 years, but now she has decided to make a statement about her sexuality because she is "approaching 50" and wants to "be open about who I am," reports People magazine.

"She hopes that coming out can help kids who need support," the former actress' publicist Jeff Ballard told People. "She would like to help others who feel different."

McNichol played Buddy Lawrence in the '70s TV show "Family," for which she won an Emmy, and later played Barbara Weston in "Empty Nest." Now, McNichol is done with acting and spends her free time playing tennis, traveling and doing yoga.

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by Superdeeduper January 18, 2012 1:23 PM EST

Pretty sure those of us old enough to remember you already had this figured out eons ago, Kristy.

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by AReilly0323 February 15, 2012 1:19 PM EST: Yep -- glad she is finally comfortable making it public though.

by straight_momof5 January 16, 2012 9:32 PM EST

I have to say I am extremely disappointed. While just loved to watch her on shows and in the movies, she was like the average teenage girl going through average teenage issues. Unfortunately for Kristy the scriptures say: "I have the right to do anything," you say—but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both." The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh."[b] 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.[c]
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Whether your a believer of Jesus Christ or not this is the truth. My prayers go out for her and anyone who is in this bondage. I'm sure your a great person, just lost.

Heaven and Hell are real!

Peace to all who read this.

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by straight_momof5 January 16, 2012 9:33 PM EST: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20


by ravenmx January 18, 2012 1:00 PM EST: Really? Get a life and get over it. The world has obviously moved much faster then your narrow mind.

by FACEITT January 16, 2012 1:26 AM EST

mnagtwa......I am with you on that one. I am sick of seeing this abnormal behavior on TV. What next, will we be watching humans fornicate with animals in public TV? Or will pedophiles go to court and sue for the right to abduct, rape and kill children and say it is their right and that it is perfectly normal to sex children. It's coming, believe me.

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by DidHeSayThat January 16, 2012 7:20 AM EST: You are too old and senile for this world obviously. Considering homosexuality is older than the Bible, it is hard to believe you still try to shove your ignorance down other people's throats.

by FACEITT January 16, 2012 1:18 AM EST

Comes out? Why? Anybody that's ever watched her on TV when she was acting knew she was mannish and gay. And we needed to know that because...? News would be outing these buggers who are "on-the-down low", married with kids and the spouse doesn't know that they are gay or lesbian/bi/trans or whatever. That would be news, this is not.

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by ruffiannd January 16, 2012 9:08 AM EST: Wow.. sounds like you're really hiding something. Perhaps they will out you next.


by alurlyrx January 13, 2012 6:23 PM EST: It was hard to admit being gay when McNichol was acting, so no one should question her timing. Those people who understood her orientation are not surprised.

It was obvious that she was type-cast in Family and Empty Nest. Again, those that understood knew about her, and for the rest, it was none of their business.; Reply to this comment


by mari1963 January 11, 2012 8:58 PM EST: I think the whole world knew this already!; Reply to this comment


by LorenScott January 11, 2012 2:25 PM EST: And, in a related story, the Pope says he is Catholic.; Reply to this comment


by bobnjersey January 11, 2012 1:05 PM EST: [Now, McNichol is done with acting and spends her free time playing tennis, traveling and doing yoga.]
--------------------------------
that's funny ... me too!; Reply to this comment

by ReckonedTruth January 11, 2012 10:32 AM EST

Was this a BIG secret, I mean really? She was Tom-boyish acting as a female child actor..

Look people ..if your daughter or sister or female relative is kinda boyish/tom-boyish ACTING constantly growing up especialy thru puberty .. and likewise the same for boys who act effeminate or like girly items and hate items suitable for boys .. chances are your kid or relative is going to be gay.. and if not then- more than resaonably later in life coming out as a gay person.. and denial sets in prior because of non-acceptance for these people who struggle with sexual orientation..in order to applease a religious family or a discrimination in a small minded society who are against the freedom for gays...those who are gay in such surroundings will marry and even have children..and later find their happiness comes from being the most comfortable in their skin as a out gay person.. and that's to say being with the same sex relationship and even marriage and living happily ever after. Let these people be.. whether a gay person comes out at 15 or 50..

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by alurlyrx January 13, 2012 6:19 PM EST: Well-stated. There is another element who completely hide actions that are characteristic of the opposite sex in order to keep from tipping family members off.