Belinda Carlisle opens up about gay son
| 08 June 2010
Belinda Carlisle has opened up about life with her gay son in an interview with The Advocate.
The 51-year old front woman of The Go-Go's and 80s pop star is about to hit the road for The Go-Go's farewell tour; she has also recently released her memoir, Lips Unsealed. The book is a no-holds-barred account of Carlisle's struggle with addiction, the bisexual 70s, and about learning of son James Duke's sexuality.
In a candid interview with The Advocate, Carlisle talks openly about the real reason she filmed a public service announcement promoting marriage equality ... and about teaching her gay son about safe sex.
It was Carlisle's gay son James Duke that was the driving force behind filming a public service announcement on marriage equality last year, she tells The Advocate.
"My son is gay, and I want the best for him. I don’t understand why gay marriage is such a divisive issue in the first place. My son has political leanings and he’s outspoken about it and he got me riled up, so we filmed the video in our backyard. I’ve always been really opinionated, and I think at this point in my life I don’t have a lot to lose by saying what I feel. These are things I believe in."
In the interview, Carlisle admits she was "shocked" when James Duke came out - and that she had no idea he was gay even though the singer is surrounded by gay and lesbian friends.
"Most of my friends are gay and lesbian, but when it’s your own kid it’s different, regardless of how open-minded you are. It took me by surprise. It was shocking and it wasn’t shocking. The first thing I thought about was how difficult it could be for him. The world can be harsh. Once I got over it, I had to think about how to tell my husband. My husband is also very open-minded, but for a lot of men it’s a reflection on their own masculinity. It was a big, intense process. It took six months to a year for the dynamics in our family to adjust, but I wouldn’t want him any other way, honestly."
The singer, who now lives in France with husband Morgan Mason, also talked about James Duke's impending move to Los Angeles.
"I can’t give him advice. He won’t listen to anything I say. I just get yelled at. I was his age once, and I know how it is. I just tell him to be careful and practice safe sex and try to be smart. I think that everyone has to learn the hard way."
Photo: Getty Images
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