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Mister Rogers' gay co-star says he was encouraged to stay in the closet and marry a woman

posted 4 years ago by TMC-4 (19408)
20 replies | jump to latest

https://people.com/tv/mister-rogers-encouraged-gay-costar-officer-clemmons-to-stay-in-the-closet-and-marry-a-woman/

Francois Clemmons' new memoir Officer Clemons recounts his time on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood as Officer Clemons from 1968 to 1993, including one day he was summoned into Fred Rogers' office. “Franc, you have talents and gifts that set you apart and above the crowd,” Rogers told him, Clemmons writes in his memoir. “Someone has informed us that you were seen at the local gay bar downtown. Now, I want you to know, Franc, that if you’re gay, it doesn’t matter to me at all. Whatever you say and do is fine with me, but if you’re going to be on the show as an important member of the Neighborhood, you can’t be out as gay.”

[–] AmeriGirl26 (12278) 4 years ago

That was a common practice in the 60s, because the majority of Americans in that time had traditional values, and did not like the idea of a gay man being part of their children's entertainment (and many still feel that way to this day!). Also, before the 2000s, coming out was a death sentence to your career, particularly if it was a public one like acting. There are several well-known actors that had this happen to them in the past. Nowadays, nobody seems to care anymore.

[–] Popcorngal (4345) 4 years ago

I saw his book in the library where I work. I wish to read it eventually.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2389) 4 years ago

it wasn't just that--American Psychological Association had homosexuality listed as an actual illness until 1973.

Fred could have had him arrested and locked up somewhere just for him (Fred) knowing the coworker was gay.

Still wanting to be friends with him and letting him stay and work under any conditions at all was really progressive for that era. This man had no law protecting him anywhere else in the USA just bc he was gay.

It's odd in our time because we don't expect that if we're open with being straight our family and/or friends should have to hide who they are either. And many more companies do allow people to be open with who they really are.

Mr. Rogers taped his last show in 2001 and died 2003. Perhaps he would have changed. The Supreme Court overturned DOMA in 2013 and several people who had once supported it told the court that they believed bans on gays getting married were now unfair. Mr. Rogers did not ever teach children to hate each other.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8290) 3 years ago

Let's also not forget that Fred was a Presbyterian minister who, as far as I can tell, believed in the Bible as the Word of God. This would include its prohibition on homosexual behavior.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2389) 3 years ago

Again fred still let him work at the show and remained friends with him knowing that he was gay during the 1960's. A quote from the book.

https://www.npr.org/2020/04/30/847315345/officer-clemmons-mister-rogers-neighborhood-policeman-pal-tells-his-story

The only prohibition he had was hating people for who they were

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8290) 3 years ago

Christians don't usually "hate" gay people. We just acknowledge that the practicing of homosexual acts is contrary to God's design.

Psychopathic serial killers are just "being who they are." However, we do not as a society tell serial killers that it's okay to murder people. Instead we insist that they resist their unnatural urges.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2389) 3 years ago

Read the book......people said desegregated pools were also unnatural then too. Fred did not his faith as a shield for fear.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8290) 3 years ago

There's nothing in the Bible about segregated pools.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2389) 3 years ago

Fred did not believe in hate of any kind.

[–] PrimeMinisterX (8290) 3 years ago

To say that homosexuality is against God's design is not "hateful."

[–] acidraindrop (3055) 3 years ago

If Fred continued to let him work at the show after the divorce and his coming out of the closet anyways, then what's the issue here?

[–] pioneergrrrl (2389) 3 years ago

Some people can't handle that Mr Rogers didn't use religion to hate any group of people.

[–] Popcorngal (4345) 2 years ago

True, Fred respected him regardless. I read a little of Mr. Clements memoir. I hope Betty A., writes one.

[–] davebuffalo (3013) a year ago

Nowadays, nobody seems to care anymore.

That's an understatement! Now it's like a badge of honor, and used as an unspoken discrimination lawsuit threat, to ensure more acting roles.

I understand the LGBTQABCDE population is on the rise due to social acceptance, but I find it hard to believe that the population is suddenly 2x as gay as 10 years ago. There has to be some experimentation going on there, as well as some "Oh I want to be a victim too" (See: Colin Kaepernick, and many "white" NAACP leaders). Victimization is power, in addition to erasing the perceived privilege of being born perfect. Who wants privilege anymore when being a "victim" can propel your career so much faster?

[–] AmeriGirl26 (12278) a year ago

I sense there's a lot of social engineering going on that a lot of us weren't aware of until the 2010s. Nowadays you can make a lot of money being a victim, which disgusts me to no end.

[–] davebuffalo (3013) a year ago

you can make a lot of money being a victim, which disgusts me to no end.

You mean like Colin Kaepernick now making 10x what he ever made playing football?

Funny he was fine being "bi-racial" right up until he chose to kneel. Before then, you would never guess or care that he was black. He spoke white, short hair, clean cut, just one of the guys. But then when he chose to become an activist, an afro grew out of nowhere, and he's talkin' the jive talk, being a victim, playing the race card, and axing everyone what's they's problem wit him. All of a sudden, Black Lives Mattered, and they never did to him previously.

[–] AmeriGirl26 (12278) a year ago

He had a situation eerily similar to Prince Harry, strange as that sounds. He was raised by his adoptive white parents, had a good life, had a decent career (despite not being the best football player out there). He gets a woke black girlfriend and BOOM! He transforms into an activist idiot and ruins his own career.

[–] davebuffalo (3013) a year ago

If any of what they've said is true though, England is way more racist than USA!

[–] AmeriGirl26 (12278) a year ago

Actually, a lot of non-white people who go over to Europe (particularly England) actually like that the locals don't make a big deal about the skintone compared to the US. France and Italy think black people are beautiful and love working with them. Europe doesn't have the same kind of history as a former colonial power like America does. In fact, racism in Europe is found more towards Muslims than black people, to be fair.

[–] DMT (3756) a year ago

I love Mr. Rogers even more now. good to know he was actively keeping me safe from the gay agenda as a child, what a real n***a!!

RIP Mr. Rogers!! Ur gone but will never be forgotten from out hearts 🙏