Kevin Spacey

[kenny]

One of my favorite actors is accused of "laying on top of" a 14 year old boy after a party 31 years ago.

Spacey claims to not remember it, saying he was drunk, but apologizes if he did it.
In the next breath Spacey comes out as a gay man.

Hmm.

Media, social and pro, are buzzing with finger wagging about the timing of his coming out.
One writer claimed Spacey is "hiding behind the rainbow", as if by coming out Spacey attempts to deflect or minimize the negative press regarding his alleged crime.
HUH? I'm not sure how exactly he's supposed to be doing this ... perhaps by eliciting sympathy? ... as if gays deserve sympathy?
Frankly, I think this claim is just in the mind of some unkind people.

Some can argue that Spacey should have come out long ago because today we gays are fully accepted and well loved by every American and coming out would not hurt the career of an entertainer who depends on the entire public consuming his work, without prejudice.

But I say anyone's decision on when or whether to come out as gay in a society that should not (yet still does) hold so much hate and hostility towards gays (thanks religions ) is their own dang business.
I can't blame anyone (a nobody or celeb) for staying in the closet.
Spacey didn't state being gay made the alleged crime less bad, so perhaps others shouldn't imply/state he's doing that.

Make no mistake; I'm NOT on Spacey's 'side'.
If Spacey, drunk or not, attempted sex with a minor (opposite or same gender) the bastard should rot in jail!

I'm just saying people are jumping to early and unfair conclusions regarding the motivations behind his coming out and the timing thereof.
(Besides, Rapps claim was Spacey's outing anyway, so Spacey probably should have not added his coming out P.S..)
I think if he discussed all this with a publicist first he would have left off the coming out part instead of quickly tweeting it.
Opps.

Your thoughts?

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/30/theater/kevin-spacey-gay-anthony-rapp.html

Kevin Spacey, a two-time Oscar winner, apologized Sunday night for what he said “would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior” after the actor Anthony Rapp made an accusation about his sexual conduct with him 31 years ago, when Mr. Rapp was 14 years old.

Mr. Spacey, who has long been fiercely private about his personal life, said in a statement that he did not remember any such encounter, but added that Mr. Rapp’s accusation “has encouraged me to address other things about my life.” He then disclosed that he had “loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man.”

The rapid cycle of accusation and apology began Sunday evening, when BuzzFeed published an article in which Mr. Rapp alleged that Mr. Spacey “was trying to get with me sexually” after a party at Mr. Spacey’s apartment in 1986. After all the other guests had left, Mr. Rapp said that Mr. Spacey, who appeared intoxicated, “picked me up like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold. But I don’t, like, squirm away initially, because I’m like, ‘What’s going on?’ And then he lays down on top of me.”

 

[kenny]

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...ays-house-of-cards-will-end-after-six-seasons

One day later producers of "House of Cards", a successful series Spacey stars in, has been canceled.

I'm over-the-moon happy that fear and silence is being lifted for abused women and men who have been exploited by the powerful.
It's is wrong and all this will have a positive effect on society.

I just hope the tsunami doesn't also sweep away some innocent people.
(I'm not stating Spacey is innocent.)

 

[Austina]

When this was on the news here yesterday (UK), one of the commenters cynically suggested that his 'coming out' statement, was in fact, to preempt any future sexual harassment claims from women.

I thought it was an open secret he was gay? Either way, his sexuality is his business, and totally irrelevant to sexual harassment claims.

 

[AGBF]

I thought it was an open secret he was gay? Either way, his sexuality is his business, and totally irrelevant to sexual harassment claims.

I, also, was unaware that he had not officially come out. Like Austina, I believed that he was openly gay. (I also loved that series, so I am sorry it was cancelled.)

I was unaware of the alleged sexual harassment until this thread. Neither underage boys nor girls should be preyed upon. Children should be protected. In my opinion, a fourteen year-old, although often very sexually appealing, is still emotionally vulnerable and still legally a child. If the charges prove to be true, this was not simply sexual harassment, but involved child endangerment and/or child abuse.

Sexual abuse is bad enough as it often involves a stronger party abusing a weaker party, but child sexual abuse, by priests and teachers, always involves a stronger party abusing a weaker party.

I may not be thinking straight at this hour, but that's how it seems to me right now.

Deb

 

[House Cat]

I agree that it is a very personal decision as to when someone decides to come out. It is my wish that coming out will not be a big thing in the future. Maybe people won’t have the need to come out at all. They can just..be.

When it comes to Mr. Spacey, I feel he used his coming out as a deflection from his disgusting crime. He laid on top of a 14 year old boy! He said he didn’t remember the event, apologized ON TWITTER, not in person, and then created a huge distraction by coming out. This was a low class move all around.

His apology should have been given in person. He could have given a public statement after that about his behavior. After the smoke settled, if he still felt that he wanted to come out, by all means. It’s called having class. Obviously, he’s a dirtbag and wouldn’t handle things in this manner.

 

[redwood66]

I tend to agree with HC on this. Poor judgement all around on his part. I like Spacey as an actor and think he has had brilliant roles. His sexuality is not anyone's business nor is anyone else's.

 

[Matata]

Stuff I read from members of the gay community is that his coming out statement linked to his alleged molestation of an underage boy confirms in the minds of existing critics of the gay community that all gays are pedophiles. IOW, it gives the conservative right ammunition to continue its discrimination against LGBTQs. I think that concern is a valid point.

 

[lyra]

I'm deeply disappointed. I've loved Kevin Spacey forever. This issue with him is so complex, and I'm not qualified to even comment one way or the other. I don't believe the issue has anything to do with one's sexuality. I think it has to do with fame, power and a certain entitlement some people must have. This is why I don't put celebrities on a pedestal. They are not heroes, they're just famous.

 

[jaaron]

I've always thought his sexual orientation was one of those open secrets. That said, sexual orientation and rape, assault and child molestation have nothing to do with one another, and for the reasons Matata articulated above, I think this was an unfortunate, poorly thought out way for him to address this. I've always loved him and hate that he has to be added to this list.

On a lighter note, does anyone else remember this? I always thought it was brilliant.

 

[telephone89]

@House Cat
"When it comes to Mr. Spacey, I feel he used his coming out as a deflection from his disgusting crime."
I agree. One bombshell comes out, drop another bomb to make people forget, get them talking about something else. Kind of trump-esque actually!

On a side note, I'm apparently the only one who didn't know he was gay? I guess I don't follow celebrities close enough!

 

[stracci2000]

I'm deeply disappointed. I've loved Kevin Spacey forever. This issue with him is so complex, and I'm not qualified to even comment one way or the other. I don't believe the issue has anything to do with one's sexuality. I think it has to do with fame, power and a certain entitlement some people must have. This is why I don't put celebrities on a pedestal. They are not heroes, they're just famous.

I agree. It's a power/control thing that causes higher level people to abuse vulnerable underlings.

 

[lyra]

I think I'm glad that Hollywood is going through this open scandal right now. I don't know if it will stop the abuse on all sides, but maybe it will help to stem some of it. Careers are being ruined. That's on the abusers. It does nothing to help the vulnerable people in the common workplace though. Maybe it might make someone think twice, but I don't know. Power does corrupt, it seems.

 

[arkieb1]

I don't think it matters what gender, what sexual orientation, what race you are, how wealthy you are, how drunk, or on drugs or otherwise you are, it doesn't legitimise rape, sexual assault and pedophilia. I wondered if he was coming out to explain why there could be more claims from boys and men. Sexual preferences IMHO are no one else's business but being a predator should never be acceptable regardless of who you are.

 

[nala]

I’m
Surprised you care. Usually you just say people vary.

 

[OreoRosies86]

Abusers need to know the lasting impact they have on the people they abuse. Doesn't matter if you've got a hit show or work at a gas station. I used to love Kevin Spacey, but drag them all if they abused anyone, especially children.

 

[tkyasx78]

I think it was an open secret that he was gay. I don't think anyone was upset he didn't come out before. everyone knew.

Having said that, straight or gay -- getting so drunk that one can't remember making passes at people is never a good idea. I hope he has learned over the last 30 + years that drinking heavily is not a good idea for him, since he doesn't remember his actions one way or the other.

 

[Calliecake]

I too had thought Kevin Spacey being gay was pretty much known. His making an announcement regarding his sexuality was to deflect from the abuse story. No one cares if the man is gay.

If he abused a child he belongs in jail. Daily Mail is reporting two other men are coming forward with abuse allegations.

@Elliott abusers don't care about the lasting impact.

I heard this morning that this was supposed to be the last season of House of Cards before the abuse allegations were made. Did they put a halt to production of the show early?

 

[Arkteia]

I think that a lot of guilt lies with the person who brought a 14-year old boy to the adult party with alcohol. Gay or straight.
That Spacey was gay was well-known.

 

[kenny]

I’m
Surprised you care. Usually you just say people vary.

Yes people vary.

To me people vary doesn't mean everyone from Gandhi down to Hitler even to way way way down to Trump are all equal.
That would be, "People don't vary."

People vary.
Some suck.
Some rock.

 

[monarch64]

Yeah. Guess what? Even if YEARS AND YEARS have gone by before victims speak up? The act still happened. And the consequences for the perpetrator should be swift and just, no matter when the accusation happens.

I am SO SICK of men in this world getting away with things because their victims are too imtimidated or afraid to speak up until well after adulthood (or anytime, just using adulthood for this particular case.) I mean, what do they do, just bide their time for x amount of years and go "haha, I did that and no one can touch me now because statute of limitations has run out?" It seems like they do. And that is disgusting.

 

[House Cat]

I too had thought Kevin Spacey being gay was pretty much known. His making an announcement regarding his sexuality was to deflect from the abuse story. No one cares if the man is gay.

If he abused a child he belongs in jail. Daily Mail is reporting two other men are coming forward with abuse allegations.

@Elliott abusers don't care about the lasting impact.

I heard this morning that this was supposed to be the last season of House of Cards before the abuse allegations were made. Did they put a halt to production of the show early?

Yes. They have suspended production of the last season.

 

[MarionC]

Did anyone ever explain what a 14 year old was doing at a Hollywood party with a bunch of drunk people?

I am not excusing anyone’s behavior, but to make a huge scandal out of something that happened 30 years ago ...
I believe that a great percentage of young people have been come on to by drunks. I suppose this will be a huge healing for many people to revisit the past, but let’s hope the boy - now man - can move beyond this and focus on the positive side of his current life. In a way I feel sorry for the actor. I certainly would not want to have to answer to the stupidity of my own 20’s and 30’s.

 

[partgypsy]

Jimmianne, what I heard is that the 14 year old and Kevin Spacey were in the same (theatre?) production and worked together, and it was an informal get together (after party) in NYC. He probably saw Kevin as a fellow actor and mentor. My oldest daughter is interested in theatre (she is 14 years old) but all the stories coming out, it is really scary.

 

[telephone89]

It's really disgusting that people are blaming alcohol or the fact a 14 year old was at a 'drinking party'. This is absolutely no excuse! That's like saying if you had a Christmas party and uncle joe drank too much it's ok he rapes your 14 year old child who was attending a 'drinking party'? What the fu.ck people, let's stop deflecting blame off the person who sexually assaulted a child. Stop protecting a disgusting human because it makes you uncomfortable.

 

[kenny]

Additional reports of abuse pour in: http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-41829484

Looks like another big career is ending, like Cosby and Weinstein.
You don't need court convictions to stop someone from getting new work
We have the real court system, then we have the court of public opinion.

BTW, I hate the statue of limitations.
It results in letting criminals get away with crimes.

Of course I understand its purpose, reduce the chance innocent people are found guilty.
Evidence trails run cold.
Time fades memories.
Witnesses die.

Which is preferred, a guilty guy goes free or an innocent guy goes to jail or is executed?

 

[kenny]

... and another one bites the dust.

Head of News at NPR.
Wow!
You'd think ... oh never mind.

Clearly men of all types use their power to abuse, harass, and rape.
What IS it about horny men in power?
WTF! Why do they think they have some right to grab the bodies of those around them?

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...news-resigns-following-harassment-allegations

NPR's senior vice president for news, Michael Oreskes, has resigned following allegations of sexual harassment from several women.

"This morning I asked Mike Oreskes for his resignation because of inappropriate behavior," NPR CEO Jarl Mohn wrote in an email to NPR staff on Wednesday. "I have received his resignation, effective immediately."

 

[minousbijoux]

So admittedly, I am a rule follower with a strong moral/ethical streak, but there are aspects of this case - and those of every other person accused of sexual predation - that confound me. Did the sexual predators know their actions were heinous and wrong? Didn't they ever fear they would be caught? Didn't they care about how people would see them, the stories about them, and their reputations (the quote from Cavazos who said "there are a lot of us who have a 'Kevin Spacey story'" made me think it was not such a secret then)?!! Did they not think about the consequences of their actions on their own futures? I so don't understand this mindset...can anyone shed some light?

 

[kenny]

So admittedly, I am a rule follower with a strong moral/ethical streak, but there are aspects of this case - and those of every other person accused of sexual predation - that confound me. Did the sexual predators know their actions were heinous and wrong? Didn't they ever fear they would be caught? Didn't they care about how people would see them, the stories about them, and their reputations (the quote from Cavazos who said "there are a lot of us who have a 'Kevin Spacey story'" made me think it was not such a secret then)?!! Did they not think about the consequences of their actions on their own futures? I so don't understand this mindset...can anyone shed some light?

Sure.
Men are pigs.
We think with our dicks.

Some of us control this, and enjoy the benefits.
Some of us don't, and suffer the consequences.

Men are opportunistic sexual beings.
Gaining more power increases the opportunities to do what a man should not do.

Perhaps you don't understand the power of male sexual drive because you are a woman.
Men and women are different when it comes to sexual drive.
Yes I know, rape is violence and not sex.

I'm not saying natural male sexual drive excuses crimes.
Just pointing out male/female differences and how it leads to it being understandable that a woman may find it more challenging to understand what's in the minds of men.

 

[minousbijoux]

Okay, Kenny, I guess I can see that. But do you think they worry at all about their actions and the repercussions that may occur? If it were me, it would eat me alive. If I were a sexual predator, I can imagine enjoying it in the moment (because why else would I be doing it?) but then be a basket case of anxiety, self doubt, depression, insomnia, and I'm sure a whole host of other symptoms, anticipating the shoe to drop - someone to turn me in, the public humiliation and the legal troubles I'd be in. Your thoughts?

 

[kenny]

Okay, Kenny, I guess I can see that. But do you think they worry at all about their actions and the repercussions that may occur? If it were me, it would eat me alive. If I were a sexual predator, I can imagine enjoying it in the moment (because why else would I be doing it?) but then be a basket case of anxiety, self doubt, depression, insomnia, and I'm sure a whole host of other symptoms, anticipating the shoe to drop - someone to turn me in, the public humiliation and the legal troubles I'd be in. Your thoughts?

I can only speculate since I, though I'm a man, am not a predator, harasser, rapist, pedophile etc.
I see lots of guys, of course, I'd love to roll around the hay with, but I don't.

Why do they do it?
I suspect the danger/risk of getting caught doing something illegal is part of the excitement.
Perhaps some have psychological issues behind their psychopathic behavior.
Again, not excusing it with a medical defense, just struggling to understand why they do it.

Perhaps for some there are no mental health issues; it's just plain selfishness and impaired empathy.
They just want to get off, and don't care who they hurt.
Low moral character I guess.