OUTING TARGET HOLLYWWOD : The Ethics of Exposing Celebrities’ Sexual Orientations

Consider what outing would have done to the careers of such esteemed actors of the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s as Clifton Webb, Charles Laughton, Monty Woolley, Montgomery Clift, not to mention Errol Flynn, Tyrone Power and Cary Grant, who were supposedly “outed” since their deaths.

Hollywood and the press were quite aware of the truth about many of these stars and protected them not only by mutual agreement but out of respect and admiration of their status and achievements.

Should not the same standard apply today?

R.A. LEE

Los Angeles