Maybelle Blair in conversation with Cynt Marshall on coming out. – Yahoo Sports
Maybelle Blair in conversation with Cynt Marshall on coming out.
Video Transcript
MAYBELLE BLAIR: I was scared every day of my life that somebody would find out that I was gay– that I would have been dismissed immediately. I had to go out on dates with men. I was in my high heels, all dressed up and lovely. And, you know, what they want to do after you go out on a date? Well, I always had an excuse. But anyway, I had a problem.
[APPLAUSE]
I had generals and colonels and you mention it, that they had the place all picked out.
CYNT MARSHALL: Yes.
MAYBELLE BLAIR: So I had to be very, very careful that nobody learned that I was gay. But anyway, I was so thrilled during the filming in New York and Tribeca– the Film Festival. All of a sudden, I sat next to Abby and Will, who were both gay. And I said, Maybelle, this closet’s getting rustier by the minute.
[AUDIENCE LAUGHS]
[LAUGHING]
So I sort of pushed my foot out just a little bit, and I saw a crack. And I thought, oh, my God. Now’s the hour, because I’m not getting any younger. And if I could help one kid– boy or girl– not to worry– that I had to worry all my life about being gay– with their family or work wise or just be accepted into the world, it will be worth it. So I sort of kicked it then.
And then all of a sudden all that came out of my mouth was hey, I want everybody to realize that after 95 years, I’m coming out and telling you I’m gay so I can help other little kids realize that there is a future for them, that everybody doesn’t hate them, and the families will understand that hey, I was born this way. That’s all I’ve ever known. And I can’t help it. But you know what? It was such a pleasure.