OK To Be Gay In Hollywood

Aiken & Lohan Demonstrate That Being "Out" Is Apparently "In" In Hollywood

(CBS)  Clay Aiken and Lindsay Lohan recently went public about their sexual orientation, the latest examples of Hollywood types who demonstrate that being gay and more liberal-minded is considered hip.

CBS News correspondent Michelle Gielan took a closer look at the trend.

For months, rumors have swirled around Lohan's relationship with DJ Samantha Ronson.

On Monday, the 22-year-old actress casually told the co-host of the syndicated radio program "Loveline" that she's been dating the 31-year-old DJ.

"You guys, you and Samantha, have been going out for how long now?" DJ Ted Stryker asked. "Like two years, one year, five months, two months?"

With a chuckle, Lohan admitted that the two have been a couple for a "very long time."

On the cover of the latest "People" magazine, former "American Idol" runner-up Aiken is seen holding his son with the headline, "Yes, I'm gay."

"The landscape is changing. There is no question even Hollywood is going a little more gay and liberal when it comes to your sexuality," said CBS News on Logo anchor Itay Hod.

With celebrities such as T.R. Knight from "Grey's Anatomy" and Ellen DeGeneres openly out, and lesbian characters proving popular in recent years, coming out won't necessarily kill a career.

"Well, a lot of it has to do with the fact that society is changing. We're the new generation that doesn't really care that much," Hod said.

Some celebrities whose stars were fading have gotten a career boost after going public about being gay.

Aiken rejoined the cast of "Spamalot on Broadway" and former N'Sync member Lance Bass is on this season's "Dancing with the Stars." Neil Patrick Harris of "How I Met Your Mother" remains a high profile star since he was outed by celebrity blogger Perez Hilton.

"It's a very personal decision to announce your homosexuality or not announce it. However, if you're a celebrity and politician in this day and age you know what you're getting into, so you have to be prepared for the public talking about your private life. It's par for the course," Hilton said.

Being out is apparently "in' in Hollywood.