Exclusives Archive >> MetroNow
Interview: Betty DeGeneres
Ellen’s mom discusses PFLAG, Obama and her favorite gay icons.
1 – Can you discuss your involvement in PFLAG? I’m just a PFLAG member! I joined almost 15 years ago right after Ellen came out on her sitcom because I couldn’t join before that – I would have outed her, that wouldn’t do! Ultimately, this is home.
2 – Can you offer any advice for parents struggling with their child’s sexuality and/or bullying at school? The only unconditional love is parent to child. We’re not all cookie cutter, just alike. Everybody has to be who they are. Some parents forget that and then they’re brainwashed about what they hear about homosexuality. You can’t let yourself fall into that. The internet is what made it [bullying] so horrible – it’s always there. Children can be cruel. In fact at the last PFLAG meeting, a young man was in our group and he was explaining how he was bullied because he was overweight and then because he wore glasses and then when he came out, he was bullied. Bullies are insecure people who have to do that to feel big.
3 – Can you discuss your proudest Ellen moment? There are so many. I was proud of her for coming out, it was not easy, not safe, and for a while she lost her career. The phone wasn’t ringing at all. She gradually came back and built her career back up and now it’s better than ever. All along the way I’ve been proud of her.
4 – Aside from your daughter, who are your other favorite gay icons? Neil Patrick Harris comes to mind – he has a wonderful career. Also, Adam Lambert – last year, his mother walked with us. Of course Melissa Etheridge, k.d. lang and Chely Wright.
5 – What were your thoughts upon hearing Obama announce his support for same-sex marriage? It’s about time!
Watch Betty’s PSA for Care with Pride via YouTube.
Learn all about Care with Pride’s initiatives here.
1 – Can you discuss your involvement in PFLAG? I’m just a PFLAG member! I joined almost 15 years ago right after Ellen came out on her sitcom because I couldn’t join before that – I would have outed her, that wouldn’t do! Ultimately, this is home.
2 – Can you offer any advice for parents struggling with their child’s sexuality and/or bullying at school? The only unconditional love is parent to child. We’re not all cookie cutter, just alike. Everybody has to be who they are. Some parents forget that and then they’re brainwashed about what they hear about homosexuality. You can’t let yourself fall into that. The internet is what made it [bullying] so horrible – it’s always there. Children can be cruel. In fact at the last PFLAG meeting, a young man was in our group and he was explaining how he was bullied because he was overweight and then because he wore glasses and then when he came out, he was bullied. Bullies are insecure people who have to do that to feel big.
3 – Can you discuss your proudest Ellen moment? There are so many. I was proud of her for coming out, it was not easy, not safe, and for a while she lost her career. The phone wasn’t ringing at all. She gradually came back and built her career back up and now it’s better than ever. All along the way I’ve been proud of her.
4 – Aside from your daughter, who are your other favorite gay icons? Neil Patrick Harris comes to mind – he has a wonderful career. Also, Adam Lambert – last year, his mother walked with us. Of course Melissa Etheridge, k.d. lang and Chely Wright.
5 – What were your thoughts upon hearing Obama announce his support for same-sex marriage? It’s about time!
Watch Betty’s PSA for Care with Pride via YouTube.
Learn all about Care with Pride’s initiatives here.
